Monument record TQ 67 SW 1566 - Late iron Age sunken Terrace, Springhead

Summary

During works associated with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in 2002, a late Iron Age sunken Terrace was discovered within a larger late Iron Age Ritual Landscape and close to the site of a possible processional way. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6181 7271 (3m by 6m)
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, a late Iron Age sunken Terrace was discovered within a larger late Iron Age Ritual Landscape and close to the site of a possible processional way. lay a little above the most steeply sloping part of the valley side and overlooked the springs just within the end of the processional way, though it was probably later and perhaps post-dated the latter’s use. The function of the terrace remains uncertain. It was somewhat irregular in plan and might be fairly accurately described as a sunken terrace. It was cut into the slope, had a flat base, and was approximately 6.75 m in length and a maximum of 3.20 m wide. Overall, a probable construction date for this terrace, based on the pottery evidence, at the very end of the late Iron Age is indicated, with disuse and infilling taking place at the beginning of the early Roman period. (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: #106003 Late Iron Age Terrace, ]

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Intrusive Event: Area B, Strip, map and sample excavation at Springhead Roman Town, carried out during CTRL works (Ref: ARC SPH00) (EKE18152)
  • 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 2:29PM