Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

During the East Kent Access Route excavations (2009-2011) a number of pits were discovered in zone 14 that contained struck flints and early neolithic pottery.(location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• PIT (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 3680 BC to 3380 BC) + Sci.Date

Associated Finds

• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic - 3650 BC to 3380 BC)

Full description

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A group of 10 bowl shaped pits were uncovered within the central part of Zone 14 of the East Kent Access route. These all contained struck flint and sherds of early neolithic pottery. Most were small (0.5-0.7m in diameter) and with a single fill, though some larger pits contained more than one fill. Features with more than one fill contained ceramics throughout the stratigraphic sequence, indicating the possibility that comparable material had been present higher up in the other features also. The ceramics area decorated and shouldered rather than carinated indicating a date between the 37th and 34th centuries BC. Radiocarbon dates on charred Flax Seeds two emmer grains and hazelnut shells from one pit confirmed this dating 3650-3380 cal BC. Forms include heavy hemispherical bowls, shouldered bowls and two vessels with angular carinations. Other types of material were limited to flint and fired clay, including one piece which may have been part of an oven or a hearth. A further 12 pits had similar dimensions, shapes and fills and may consequently be contemporary, although none contained sufficient artefactual material to confirm this. (information summarised from source) (1-2)

<1> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, East Kent Access (Phase II), Thanet, Kent: Post-Excavation Assessment Volume 1 (Unpublished document). SKE29279.

<2> Andrews et al, 2015, Digging The Gateway: Archaeological Landscapes of South Thanet. The Archaeology of East Kent Access (Phase III) Vol 1: The sites (Monograph). SKE55517.

Sources and further reading