Excavation of site at Dumpton Park, Ramsgate, Kent revealed a number of ditches. Several of these ditches have been assigned a later prehistoric date based on associated pottery. Some of the ditches appeared to form enclosures, up-to three of these enclosures were identified, these have a likely later Bronze Age date. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

In detail - What appears to be the south-west corner of a substantial enclosure was found in the North Area excavation. The corner was formed by two ditches, joining al right-angles, which frame the ring-ditch barrow and contain a single entrance on the west side. In detail, the south ditch was traced for 24m. where it was 0.60-1.80m. in width, 15-30cm. in depth with sloping sides and a flattish base. Its filling of light brown clay-loam with chalk specks contained 11 small potsherds and 10 struck flints. The pottery seems to be of Late Bronze Age date. The West Ditches consist of two short lengths, flanking an entrance 4.10m. wide. These ditches provide a length of about 16m. and are mostly 40-80cm. wide, 10-15cm. deep, with sloping sides and a rounded base. The filling of grey-brown clay-loam contained only five struck flints. Both ditches seem to have been replaced, one by a new cut and the other producing a double end. As regards dating, this must be partly circumstantial. It seems likely that the enclosure was dug round a preexisting barrow and indeed the southern ditch seems to bend around the curving barrow ditch. In addition the west entrance allows limited access on both sides of the barrow. This relative dating is largely supported by the small amount of pottery, which is of Late Bronze Age date. On balance the enclosure was probably constructed sometime during the Later Bronze Age.

To the south east of this enclosure further ditches with a possible later Bronze Age date were identified. The first was a deep ditch which was traced on a largely north-west/south-east axis for a distance of about 12m. This includes a length found in Trench 12 during the evaluation trenching. It ran on a largely straight alignment and may have continued to Trench 15 where a shallower ditch was found on the same alignment, thus giving a total minimum length of about 28m. A slight bulge on the south side could suggest a partial recut. The ditch had steep sides and a flat base. Its upper width was 1.10 -1.80m. and its depth 1.40 -1 60m. into solid chalk. Its lower fin was mostly dense chalk rubble and the upper fills a wide range of brown loams. The only finds were 20 bone fragments, seven struck flints and a hammerstone. The date of this feature is not certain, It is likely to be of prehistoric date and it may have formed part of a linear boundary or enclosure. It may be associated with the Iron Age activity which is also suggested for this site. No other ditch on this site had a similar profile or depth.

A second enclosure was also identified close to this deep ditch, It took the form of two large curving ditches that ended some 4.20m. apart where they created an obvious causewayed entrance. Both ditch terminals were rounded. In detail, the northern ditch of the enclosure was traced for 11m. before it turned west to create an angled corner. The west arm continued for another 17m. The southern arm was traced for about 18 m. before it too turned westwards for another 12m. This arrangement suggests the presence of a parallel-sided enclosure about 33m. wide, with a largely central eastern entrance. It continued westwards into the area reserved for gardens. The north arm was up to 2.20m. in width at the entrance and about 1.10m. in depth. This quickly reduced in width and depth as it progressed westwards. The south arm was 1.70-2.00m. wide 50-73cm. deep and had sloping sides and a rounded base. Smaller adjacent ditches seem to represent part of another enclosure. In particular the two which form a causewayed entrance some 7.80m. wide. Where the two enclosures overlapped there was just enough evidence to suggest that the smaller ditches were the earlier. As regards dating, the larger ditches produced a total of 77 potsherds, 24 struck flints and a sandstone block. The pottery is likely to be of Late Bronze Age date. At the south end of the area was a wide and shallow ditch containing only four small fragments of animal bone. At the north end was a small pit containing mussel shells and 12 small potsherds, also of late Bronze Age date. (information summarised from source) (1-2)

<1> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 2002, Prehistoric Sites at Dumpton Park, Ramsgate (Unpublished document). SKE52054.

<2> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 2000, Dumpton Park Drive, Ramsgate, Kent: report on a programme of Archaeological Work (Evaluation Excavation) (Unpublished document). SKE13560.