Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Evidence for an Iron Age settlement was discovered during the construction of a gas pipeline in 1984. Found within the occupation area was a quantity of burnt flint, shells, bones, and Iron Age pottery sherds. A number of shallow pits were also revealed, as well as a truncated V-shaped ditch running on a north south alignment. No finds were recovered from the fill of this feature. The site is seen as evidence of a heavy and continuous settlement.

Monument Types

• DITCH (Iron Age - 800 BC? (at some time) to 42 AD? (at some time))
• PIT (Iron Age - 800 BC? (at some time) to 42 AD? (at some time))
• SETTLEMENT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)

Associated Finds

• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Iron Age - 800 BC? to 42 AD?)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman to Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 43 AD to 1065 AD)

Full description

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[TR 33176546 area centered] Evidence for Iron Age settlement was discovered during the construction of the Monkton gas pipeline in 1984. The area of settlement covered 36m sq and consisted of burnt flint, shells, bones, and Iron Age sherds. A section revealed a number of shallow pits. Running through the area from north to south was a ditch of truncated V-form, c1.50m wide by 1.50m deep. Its fill held nothing in the way of finds. This area of Iron Age occupation continued through the area [at TR 33406542] where a later Romano-British and early medieval cemeteries [TR 36 NW 186 and 18] was found. The subsoil yielded burnt flints, shells and potsherds in early, mid and late iron age fabrics. Shallow pits, from 30cm to 3m in diameter, were closely scattered along the whole length of the cemetery. The Romano-British and early medieval burials were sunk throught this horizon, and their fills contained much Iron Age material. The late iron age/Belgic remains here are surprising in terms of area and density, suggesting heavy and continuous settlement. (1)

During work on the Monkton-Ramsgate gas pipline late iron age and belgic material were found in the subsoil. (2)

Geophysical survey undertaken in 1992 (3).

<1> Perkins, D. R. J., 1986, The Monkton Gas Pipeline: Phases III & IV 1983 - 84, Arch Cant 102 1985 44 51-3 57 59 63 (DRJ Perkins) (Article in serial). SKE11881.

<2> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1987, Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive, Isle of Thanet Arch Unit Sites and Mons Archive 1988 Rec no 251 (Collection). SKE11846.

<3> Clark, A. J. & Bartlett, A. D. H., 1992, Thanet, Kent: Proposed Improvements to A253 Report on Geophysical Survey (Unpublished document). SWX6777.

Sources and further reading