Link to printer-friendly page

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

HER Number:TQ 67 SW 1452
Type of record:Monument
Name:Three early medieval sunken-feature buildings, Northfleet

Summary

Excavations in 2000-2002 carried out as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link found three sunken-featured buildings west of Northfleet Roman villa.

Location accurate to 2m based on available information


Grid Reference:TQ 6143 7402
Map Sheet:TQ67SW
Parish:SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE, DARTFORD, KENT

Monument Types

  • GRUBENHAUS (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD to 720 AD?)
  • HEARTH? (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)
  • POST HOLE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)

Associated Finds

  • SLAG (Roman to Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 43 AD? to 650 AD?)
  • PLATE BROOCH (Roman to Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 400 AD? to 550 AD?)
  • BARLEY GRAIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • Charcoal (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • HAZEL NUT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • PLANT MACRO REMAINS (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • SEEDS (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD? to 700 AD?)
  • WHEAT GRAIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 420 AD? to 600 AD?)
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)
  • COMB (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)
  • LOOMWEIGHT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)
  • QUERN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)
  • WEFT BEATER (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 480 AD? to 720 AD?)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Excavations in 2000-2002 carried out as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link found three early-Saxon sunken-featured buildings (SFB 30057, 30107, 30119) west of Northfleet Roman villa (area 6). The structures were 3-4m long and 2-3 m wide and contained post holes. contained 5th-6th century pottery, animal bone and fired clay, loomweights, a 6th century brooch, animal bone, a double-sided comb, a quern fragment and pinbeaters. Close by was a possible hearth. (1)

Large quantities of red and roe deer fragments came from SFB 30057 in particular. The volume and distribution suggests either a craft funtion, a ritual aspect, or a combination of the two (2).

Location accurate to 2m based on available information


<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.

<2> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 4: Saxon and Later Finds and Environmental Reports (Monograph). SKE32437.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>Unpublished document: 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.
<2>Monograph: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2011. Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 4: Saxon and Later Finds and Environmental Reports.

Related records

TQ 67 SW 1527Parent of: Three early medieval sunken-feature buildings, Northfleet - SFB30057 (Monument)
TQ 67 SW 1528Parent of: Three early medieval sunken-feature buildings, Northfleet - SFB30107 (Monument)
TQ 67 SW 1529Parent of: Three early medieval sunken-feature buildings, Northfleet - SFB30119 (Monument)
TQ 67 SW 299Part of: Early Medieval Settlement, Ebbsfleet Valley (Monument)