Monument record TQ 77 SE 228 - Large area of cropmarks identified from aerial photography south of Spendiff

An aerial photography analysis carried out by English Heritage in 2009-2012 identified a large area of cropmarks south of Spendiff. The cropmarks were interpreted as being from various periods but may primarily represent late iron age / Romano-British features (1,2,3)

A probable settlement of Iron Age or Roman date, comprising compact rectilinear enclosures and larger enclosures or fields, centred at TQ 7519 7428 on the lower northern slopes of Deangate Ridge overlooking Cooling. A ditched trackway runs west to east along the foot of the slope (TQ 7473 7409 to TQ 7535 7441), with the smaller contiguous and overlapping enclosures concentrated on its south side and larger enclosures or fields on both sides. A second ditched trackway, running from the higher ground in the south (TQ 7535 7421) towards the marshes in the north (TQ 7519 7461), crosses the west to east trackway at TQ 7528 7437. The whole complex covers an area of about 29 hectares. It is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs and has been mapped as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. (4-7)

This complex is broadly similar in appearance to a group of enclosures, fields and trackways just to the east (Monument 1549216) and is probably associated with that complex, although no obvious physical link between the two was observed on the available aerial photographs. (8)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2007, Archaeological Desk Study of Chattenden Great Park, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE18194.

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

<3> Historic England, 2012, National Mapping Programme survey: Hoo Peninsula (Digital archive). SKE32442.

<4> 2004, NMR TQ 7574/14 (23575-18) 28-JUN-2004 (Photograph). SKE58986.

<5> 2010, NMR 26700_034-36 24-JUN-2010 (Photograph). SKE58987.

<6> 2011, NMR 26886_001 08-MAR-2011 (Photograph). SKE58988.

<7> 2011, NMR 26972_031 01-JUN-2011 (Photograph). SKE58989.

<8> English Heritage, 2012, 17-JAN-2012/English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project (Verbal communication). SKE58990.