Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Three saltmounds of probable medieval date are visible as earthworks on 1940s aerial photography. Also visible are a network of drainage features which are interpreted as related to the supply of water to the salt processing sites. All features appear to have been plough-levelled on recent aerial photography.

It is possible that the saltmounds recorded as TR 26 SW 1 represent the same site as this.

Monument Types

• DRAINAGE SYSTEM (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• SALTERN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Full description

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Three saltmounds and a network of drainage features are visible as earthworks on 1940s RAF vertical aerial photography [1-2]. All features appear to have been plough-levelled on recent aerial photography [3].

The westernmost saltmound is composed of a single circular mound, 12m in diameter. The central saltmound appears to be composed of 6 subrectangular saltmounds, varying in size from 9m x 6m to 24m x 15m, however, it is possible that these represent multiple tops to the same mound. The easternmost saltmound is trefoil-shaped in plan and measures 40m x 30m. The drainage features are composed of network of ditches, one with a flanking bank, extending over an area 800m x 90m. These are interpreted as deriving from the supply of water for salt processing.

The precise date of the features is unclear but they are likely to be medieval in date. They were not visible on the Ordnance Survey 1877 edition [4] or the Ordnance Survey 1939 edition [5].

A transcription of the features recorded from aerial photography exists within a GIS layer held by this HER [6].
It is possible that the saltmounds recorded as TR 26 SW 1 is the same site as this.

<3> Google Earth (Graphic material). SWX15704.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1858-73, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1872-1897, 1877/1:2500 (Map). SWX11831.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1928-1947, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 4th edition 1928-1947, 1939/1:2500 (Map). Ske12644.

<6> Wessex Archaeology, 2009-10, South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions (Digital archive). SWX15705.

<6> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report (Unpublished document). SKE25955.

<6> Cornwall Council Historic Environment Projects and Gloucestershire County Council, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Components 1&2: Results of NMP Mapping (Unpublished document). SKE25954.

Sources and further reading

Related records