A number of pits containing a limited quantity of Saxon pottery were recorded on the eastern edge of excavations undertaken by Wessex Archaeology ahead of development at Ebbsfleet. 7 pits were identified in total, these were all similar in appearance and contained burnt clay, and were therefore possibly associated with the Saxon kilns located close by. One of the pits was excavated by hand to a depth of 1.6m, then by machine to 2.45m to reveal its full depth. It was sub-rectangular in plan and there was evidence within its fills of at least two phases of deliberate backfilling, which comprised kiln material. There was no evidence of burning in situ. It contained no dating material although the lowest deposits contained animal bone and iron objects, including a knife. Iron knives, that are not closely datable but may be Saxon, were recovered from a number of other pits. (1)

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2006, Springhead Quarter Phase 1, Ebbsfleet, Kent. Archaeological Excavation Results Summary (Unpublished document). SKE30745.