Archaeological investigations were carried out along the route of a new by-pass, for the Wainscott Northern Link. These included a fieldwalk survey in 1992, watching briefs in 1994, 1995, and 1997; though the majority of these returned relatively insignificant results, the final 1997 watching brief revealed a previously unrecognised site at the northern end of the road, prompting formal excavation.
The area close to the Four Elms Roundabout revealed evidence of an Anglo-Saxon settlement (in addition to some Roman and Prehistoric remains). [1]

The Anglo-Saxon settlement seems to have been superimposed on Roman remains, which were likely still visible but unoccupied since the early fourth century. It represents one of few rural settlements of the middle Anglo-Saxon period to have been excavated in western Kent, with the most comparable sites being at Church Whitfield, Harrietsham, or Folkestone, though these mainly represent the earlier Anglo-Saxon period. The dating of this site has a level of uncertainty, due in part to Anglo-Saxon pottery not securely stratified in deposits directly associated with the structure. However, a combination of stratigraphy, ceramics, and especially small finds point to a main occupation period of middle Anglo-Saxon date (eighth or ninth centuries or slightly before. Very little evidence from the early Anglo-Saxon period survives, with the exception of a few organic-tempered pottery sherds, and the structural evidence is compatible with a middle Anglo-Saxon date, especially since there are no sunken-floored structures associated with the earlier building style. [1]

Anglo-Saxon occupation, in the area excavated in 1997, consisted of two or more structures with associated, possible multi-phase, pits and enclosures. It is unclear whether the structures or enclosures existed first. [1]

Superceding an earlier Roman enclosure, Enclosure 3 was 39m by 25m, and contained one structure (Structure 3) on a similar north east - south west alignment, suggesting that the enclosure and structure were co-eval. The south-east side of Enclosure 3 was marked by ditch F236, which extends beyond the north east site boundary, but was traced 23m to the south west, varying between 0.7 and 2.4m in width, and terminating with a likely rounded end. A single section revealed straight, sloping sides and a narrow flat base 0.69m deep. The opposing side was enclosed by ditch F127, varying between 0.3m and 0.8m in width, with a U-shaped profile, 0.19m deep at deepest. At its northernmost end, this ditch ran parallel to F236, before turning abruptly south, and then curving to the east and terminating in a pit (F322). [1]

Structure 3, in Enclosure 3, represents the best preserved and most completely exposed post-Roman structure on the site. Measuring approximately 16m by 4m, the long sides appear bowed outward in shape. This is unusual in comparison with the more common rectangular shape of buildings in this period. There are 3 short lengths of discontinuous gully, aligned north east- south west, immediately adjacent to the structure, most likely for drainage around the structure. A group of twenty pits was found immediately to the south west of the structure, all within Enclosure 3. Little determinat evidence was recovered from these pits but their topography strongly suggests contemporaneity with the structure and enclosure. A further five pits with organic fill are probably contemporary, and were probably used as cess-pits. [1]

Outside enclosure 3, c.7m to the north east, is Structure 4. This cuts a number of earlier pits, thought to be roughly contemporaneous with Structure 3 on the basis of limited artefactual evidence. The structure's main component was a linear slot (F348) aligned north west - south east, about 8.-9m long. A later field ditch had obscured its north-western terminus., but the south eastern end was roughly squared . It was dated mainly on the basis of 5 middle Anglo-Saxon sherds. Two rectangular post holes, 1.6m apart, were aligned on its axis; other posts are speculated along the wall, but it is unclear why no other post holes are evident, beyond postulating that these two were deliberately dug deeper or bore more structural weight. This slot is framed by an adjacent ditch, F115, which extends around the eastern and southern sides of the building in an 'L' shape. This most likely represents a drainage for the building, though there is a small chance it represents an associated enclosure. Towards the west of Structure 4 is a group of 13 pits and one possible quarry of unclear chronological relation to the pit group in the eastern part of the site. [1]

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In 2007 Wessex Archaeology carried out an evaluation of land south of the Northern Bypass, at Hoo Road, Wainscott. They located a number of ditches and features (3) and the decision was made to fully excavate the area. (4)

The excavation found a series of ditches setting out enclosures which contained a sunken featured building (grubenhaus) and a number of pits, all of early middle Anglo-Saxon date. The enclosures were either side of a series of ditches that appeared to define a trackway 10m wide with numerous entrances to fields along its length, running north-east south-west across the area, extending below Hoo Road.

On the north-eastern side of the trackway there was a small enclosure containing a U-shaped structure, evidenced by a shallow gully probably intended for earth-fast posts or planks forming walls. The structure was open at one end, to the north-east and measured 5.5m long by 4.5m wide.

On the south-west side of the trackway there was another enclosure, containing a sunken featured building and two pits. The sunken featured building was 4m long, 3.5m wide and 0.15m deep with postholes at the two pairs opposite ends that would have supported the roof. There were also seven post or stake holes within the building. Iron slag was found within the hollow, along with nearly 1kg of 5th to 8th century AD pottery. A pit immediately east of the building may have been associated with it and also contained iron slag and 5th to 8th century AD pottery. Another pit further east was similar.

An unusual ring-shaped feature, consisting of a sub square ditch, 3.6m to 4.6m across, enclosing an area 2m to 2.5m is of uncertain function. The ditch fill contained 5th to 8th century AD pottery along with a Romano-British jar base, perhaps deliberately trimmed to form a flat disc.

A silver sceat was found in a tree throw. Tiny fragments of silver sheet were found in one of the trackway ditches but it is not clear what object they once came from. The shaft of a Roman medical or toilet instrument was found in one pit. (4)

The Wessex Archaeology/CgMs excavations are collated and summarised in a January 2015 'Publication Report' by CgMs. The report makes concluding interpretations of the different phases of occupation at the site but these are far too detailed to summarise here. See Source Ref for further information. (5)

[1] SKE12122, Canterbury Archaeological Trust (2009), Archaeological Work Along the Route of the Wainscott Northern Bypass and at Four Elms Roundabout 1992-1997: Stratigraphic Archive Report Part 1
[2] SKE12121, Canterbury Archaeological Trust (2009), Archaeological Work Along the Route of the Wainscott Northern Bypass and at Four Elms Roundabout 1992-1997: Stratigraphic Archive Report Part 2: Appendices
[3] SKE12946, CgMs (2007) An archaeological evaluation Report: Land at Hoo Road, Wainscott
[4] SKE16706, CgMs (2009) Post-Excavation Assessment Report and Updated Project Design
[5] SKE31283, CgMs (2015) Publication Text: Prehistoric and Romano British Activity and Archaeology

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1998, Archaeological Work Along the Route of the Wainscott Northern By-pass and at Four Elms Roundabout 1992 - 1997: Stratigraphic Archive Report Part 1 (Unpublished document). SKE12122.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1998, Archaeological Work Along the Route of the Wainscott Northern By-pass and at Four Elms Roundabout 1992 - 1997: Stratigraphic Archive Report Part 2: Appendices & Figures (Unpublished document). SKE12121.

CgMs Consulting, 2007, An archaeological evaluation report: Land at Hoo Road, Wainscott, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE12946.

CgMs Consulting, 2009, Post-Excavation Assessment Report and Updated Project Design for Analysis and Publication: Hoo Road, Wainscott, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16706.

CgMs Consulting, 2015, Publication Text: Prehistoric and Romano-British Activity and Anglo-Saxon Settlement: Hoo Road, Wainscott, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31283.