The features within the wooded area appear to be consistent with a levelled stone platform that probably supported a timber structure. They include postpads, posts holes and beam slots within the bedrock. Additional earth banks, ditches and mounds have been identified nearby. The report suggests that 'initial evidence of tool marks, on the bedrock, might well suggest an Iron Age or medieval phase'. Furthermore, worked stone tools were recovered from the fill of the newly exposed stone features, provisionally identified as quartzose lithics, including scrapers, burins, awls, cores, flakes and choppers. (1)

In 2019, similar toolmarks and features cut into the bedrock were uncovered. The features were interepreted as more post pads and a water channel. In addition, a find identified as a siltstone scraper and a small assemblage of worked quartoze interpreted as awls were retrieved. (2, 4)

An alternative interpretation of the features excavated in 2018 is that they are a combination of ‘natural features and ad-hock post-medieval quarrying’, although the 2019 report 'strongly refutes' this view. (2)

<1> WKD Archaeology, 2018, End Of Season Review - RSP18 - RSP Site, Rusthall Common, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE52282.

<2> WKD Archaeology, 2019, RSP Site - Rusthall 2019 Season (Unpublished document). SKE52285.

<4> WKD Archaeology, 2018, Analysis Of Prehistoric Non-Flint Lithics In West Kent (Unpublished document). SKE52286.