Monument record TQ 77 NW 169 - Probable saltern identified by aerial photgraphy study

Summary

The earthwork remains of an irregular mound measuring 20m x 40m situated adjacent to a water-filled creek in the mashes to the south of Cliffe Fleet. This mound is possibly a medieval saltern mound, one of a number of similar sites recorded within the marshes on the Hoo Peninsula. 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.This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 7456 7791 (48m by 32m)
Map sheet TQ77NW
County KENT
Civil Parish CLIFFE AND CLIFFE WOODS, MEDWAY, KENT
Civil Parish COOLING, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (2)

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 0321 06-FEB-1953 (Photograph). SKE57173.

<4> Historic England, 2016, Archive Material (Archive). SKE57167.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <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 0321 06-FEB-1953. NMR RAF/82/713 0321 06-FEB-1953.
  • <4> Archive: Historic England. 2016. Archive Material.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

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 3:36PM