Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Romano-British salt making site, investigated by the the Lower Medway Archaeological Research Group in 1974. Pottery sherds and briquetage were recovered from 7 trial trenches after the topsoil had been stripped over the entire site. The evidence suggested seasonal occupation for salt-winning and related purposes. There were four phases apparent from the stratigraphic sequence, indicating use from c.70-300AD. Small industrial areas such as this are thought to have been connected with more permanent establishments, as yet undiscovered . A 7th century Anglo Saxon sceatta was also found at the site.

Images

Monument Types

• SALT WORKS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds

• BRIQUETAGE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• COIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)

Full description

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TQ 78237760 Romano British salt making site under investigation by Mr Ocock (1). Over two weekends in 1974 a Romano-British occupation site on Hack Marsh was investigated by M.A. Ocock and the Lower Medway Archaeological Research Group. The site extended over some 50m sq.. A 1.4m wide strip of topsoil was removed from the site and seven trial trenches were dug at selected points along it. The limited quantity of pottery and briquetage recovered has recently been re-examnied. The evidence suggests that the area seasonally occupied for salt-winning and related purposes. The small industrial areas on the marshes were probably connected with more permanent establishments which are still to be discovered on the high ground to the south. Four phases are identifiable in the stratigraphy: phase I, c.AD 70-120, Phase II c.AD 120-180, Phase II, c.AD 180-300, Phase IV, abandonment before the appearance of fourth century pottery forms. No medieval pottery was found. One find of significance was an Anglo Saxon sceatta of the 7th century (2). Site photgraphs (3-8).

<1> Salt Rep on the Salt weekend held at the Univ of Sussex Sept 1974 28 (A Miles Eds KW de Brisay & KA (OS Card Reference). SKE49392.

<2> Arch Cant 99 1983 279 (J Monaghan) (OS Card Reference). SKE36350.

<3> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9630.

<4> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9828.

<5> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9861.

<6> 1954, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX11158.

<7> 1954, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX11160.

<8> 1954, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX11161.

Sources and further reading