Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A sub-circular cropmark, interpreted as the partial circuit of a ring ditch, is visible c.140m NE of The Old Barn on aerial photographs taken in 2003. The section of the ditch visible is of varied width and narrows on the SSE, possibly indicating an entrance gap or causeway. On the basis of the visible section, the ditch would have described a circuit c.25-30m in diameter. Although undated, this feature is likely to derive from later prehistoric activity. Whilst it may represent the plough-levelled remains of a Bronze Age barrow, Iron Age activity is also known from the immediate vicinity and the feature may equally date from this period.

Monument Types

• RING DITCH (Later Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)

Full description

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A sub-circular cropmark is visible at the edge of an arable field c.140m NE of The Old Barn on aerial photographs taken in 2003 [1]. The cropmark appears to be a partial circuit of a ring ditch with only the southern and eastern sides visible. Any northward continuation of the feature may be masked by a stand of trees along the water course that forms the northern boundary of the field. It is also possible that this water course may have cut through and removed the northern side of this feature. The section of the ditch visible on the photographs varies from c.2-5m wide, a narrowing in the ditch on the SSE of the feature may indicate an entrance gap or causeway. On the basis of the visible section, the ditch would have described a circuit c.25-30m in diameter.

Although undated, this feature is likely to derive from later prehistoric activity. Whilst it may represent the plough-levelled remains of a Bronze Age barrow, Iron Age activity (coin finds - NMR No. TR 35 NW 142) is also known from the immediate vicinity and the feature may equally date from this period.

A transcription of the features recorded from aerial photography exists within a GIS layer held by this HER [2].

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2009-10, South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions (Digital archive). SWX15705.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report (Unpublished document). SKE25955.

<2> 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