Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

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

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

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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

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