Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Excavation in 2000-2002 carried out as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link found a large ditch that enclosed the east side of the sanctuary complex. The ditch had a total length of 225m. It seems to have had no defensive or agricultural role and is interpeted as marking the boundary of the religious site. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• DITCHED ENCLOSURE (Roman - 100 AD? to 200 AD?)

Full description

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Excavation in 2000-2002 carried out as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link found a large ditch that enclosed the east side of the sanctuary complex. The ditch had a total length of 225m. It seems to have had no defensive or agricultural role and is interpeted as marking the boundary of the religious site.

The ditch was in two sections with a gap that respected an earlier trackway (TQ 67 SW 1392). The northern extent of the ditch could not be determined as it reached the end of the excavation.
It became shallower at the northern extent, however, and it may have faded out as it approached the Ebbsfleet. The ditch was generally 'v' shaped, 3-3.5 m wide and 2 m deep. The ditch produced large assemblages of pottery. There were some residual early Roman sherds but most were from the 2nd century and there were none later than the end of the 2nd century. There was far more pottery than the santuary complex could have produced normally so the excavators suggest that either the pot was brought to the site specifically to backfill the ditch or that the pot derives from ritual feasting within the complex.

There were several inhumation burials within the ditch. Most were adults although some were neonate. There were few grave goods although one contained the base of a jug and had a ring of twisted wire around the ankle (1)

<1> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2010, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape (Unpublished document). SKE31245.

Sources and further reading

Related records