Monument record TQ 77 NW 158 - Probable saltern identified by aerial photographs

Summary

The earthwork remains of a large irregular mound measuring c.60m x 68m and two smaller adjacent mounds, which are probably medieval saltern mounds. These and surrounding mounds were mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. These mounds form part of a cluster of similar mounds extending along and a water-filled creek in the marshes which have been mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. Saltern mounds are the result of large-scale salt manufacturing where brine was extracted from salt-rich sands and sediments, concentrated and evaporated using process known as sleeching. The discarded waste material from the process built up around the production area into a sizeable mound, often with a hollow in the centred where a hut stood. These medieval saltern mounds are typically described as `floriate' in form because of their irregular lobed formation of dumped waste. They often occur in clusters around former and surviving tidal water-courses within the marsh. There has been considerable reclamation and subsequent sea wall construction since the medieval period which has isolated these sites from the sea. Many of these mounds were subsequently utilised as sheepfolds, sheep washes and stock refuges in the post medieval period because of their slightly elevated position in the readily flooded marshes. Roman finds have been extracted from some of these sites, but are believed to be from the lower levels, and not associated with the mounds. Post-Roman flooding and silt deposition has resulted in Roman sites lying typically several feet below the current land surface.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 7442 7856 (100m by 73m)
Map sheet TQ77NW
County KENT
Civil Parish CLIFFE AND CLIFFE WOODS, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> Historic England, 2012, National Mapping Programme survey: Hoo Peninsula (Digital archive). SKE32442.

<2> English Heritage, 2013, Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Bibliographic reference). SKE31432.

<3> RAF, 1953, NMR RAF/82/713 01229 16-FEB-1953 (Photograph). SKE57156.

<4> Spurrell FCJ,, 1885, Early Sites and Embankments on the Margins of the Thames Estuary (Article in serial). SKE53799.

<5> Historic England, 2016, Archive Material (Archive). SKE57167.

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Digital archive: Historic England. 2012. National Mapping Programme survey: Hoo Peninsula.
  • <2> Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 2013. Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project.
  • <3> Photograph: RAF. 1953. NMR RAF/82/713 01229 16-FEB-1953. NMR RAF/82/713 01229 16-FEB-1953.
  • <4> Article in serial: Spurrell FCJ,. 1885. Early Sites and Embankments on the Margins of the Thames Estuary. Archaeological Journal 42.
  • <5> Archive: Historic England. 2016. Archive Material.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Ref: Research Report Series no 21-2013) (EKE15020)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Ref: Research Report Series No. 21-2013) (EKE15021)

Record last edited

Oct 15 2024 3:06PM