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 two early Roman features overlooking the springs at the head of the Ebbsfleet. Both were terraced into the slope and were interpreted as viewing platforms associated with the ritual activity at the spring. (Location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• CEREMONIAL PLATFORM (Roman - 70 AD? to 150 AD?)
• HEARTH (Roman - 70 AD? to 150 AD?)

Associated Finds

• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Roman - 70 AD? to 150 AD?)
• VESSEL (Roman - 70 AD? to 150 AD?)

Full description

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Excavation in 2000-2002 carried out as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link found two early Roman features overlooking the springs at the head of the Ebbsfleet. Both were terraced into the slope and were interpreted as viewing platforms associated with the ritual activity at the spring. Each lay approximately 30 m apart on the moderate to steeply sloping valley side overlooking the springs at the head of the Ebbsfleet. This northern platform faced south-west and was c. 20 m long by 3 - 5 m wide. The platform was well-preserved though suggesting it had been protected form use or erosion. Pottery from the earliest fills indicated a period of use in the second half of the first century AD. When the feature went out of use in unknown but it was sealed by deposits contining mid second century pottery. In the base of the south-east corner was an over or corn-dryer, part of a large storage vessel and a hearth. (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 The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape (Unpublished document).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