Monument record TQ 67 SW 1565 - Late iron Age pit group 3, Springhead

Summary

During works associated with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in 2002, three late iron age pit groups were discovered, within a larger late Iron Age Ritual Landscape and close to the site of a possible rocessional way. The the third and largest of these pit groups fell within an area measuring approximately 30 m by 25 m and consisted of as many as 23 pits. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6187 7264 (46m by 49m) (20 map features)
Map sheet TQ67SW
Civil Parish GRAVESEND, GRAVESHAM, KENT
County KENT
District GRAVESHAM, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

During works associated with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in 2002, three late iron age pit groups were discovered, within a larger late Iron Age Ritual Landscape and close to the site of a possible processional way. The the third and largest of these pit groups fell within an area measuring approximately 30 m by 25 m and consisted of as many as 23 pits. most assigned on the basis of the
late Iron Age pottery they contained, although four also contained early Roman sherds in their upper fills. There were two further pits, containing only late Iron Age pottery, which may represent outliers to this group. The main group of features included at least one possible posthole and several shallow features that were little more than scoops, some of which had suffered subsequent tree root disturbance. No obvious patterning was distinguished amongst this group of pits, scoops, and post-holes but one pit was of particular interest as it contained parts of a minimum of six vessels that
might be considered to represent structured deposition. (1) (information summarised from source)


<1> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2010, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape (Monograph). SKE31245.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1>XY Monograph: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2010. Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape. [Mapped feature: #105983 Iron Age Pits, ]

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Intrusive Event: Area C excavation, Springhead Roman Town, carried out during CTRL works (Ref: ARC SPH00) (EKE18153)
  • Event Boundary: Strip, map and sample, excavation work and watching brief at Springhead Roman Town, carried out during CTRL works (Ref: ARC SPH00) (EKE8575)
  • Intrusive Event: Watching Brief at Springhead Roman Town, carried out during CTRL works (Ref: ARC SPH00) (EKE8576)

Record last edited

Apr 10 2020 2:20PM