Monument record TR 16 SW 164 - Mid-late Iron Age features and finds, Long Reach Close, Whitstable

Summary

In 1998 and 1999 an archaeological evaluation and an excavation carried out in advance of new housing found a large number of Iron Age features including a track, rubbish and quarry pits, hearths, ovens, ditches, gullies, and banks, alongside finds including Iron Age pottery, oyster shells, and fire cracked flint.

Location

Grid reference TR 1047 6468 (point)
Map sheet TR16SW
Civil Parish WHITSTABLE, CANTERBURY, KENT
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (10)

Full Description

In 1998 an archaeological evaluation carried out in advance of new housing found 16 features. Partial excavation recovered 12 mid-late iron age sherds in association with burnt flint. The excavators concluded that the settlement previously discovered to the south-west extended as far as this site. No additional information provided about the features (1)

Evaluation in 1999 identified further Iron Age features including ditches, gullies, and amphorous pits thought to have been used for clay extraction. Pottery dating from 150 BC to 70 AD was identified in the fills of some of the features at the site.
It is thought that this site represents a scattered settlement and is linked to the Iron Age activity identified at Sunset Caravan Park. (2)

An excavation following evaluation at the site uncovered further features including rubbish pits, more clay extraction pits, hearths, clamp/bonfire kilns or bread ovens, ditches, and a track or roadway.
The track was lined by two banks, both of which had originally been associated with substantial outer ditches. One of these survived, the other had been ploughed out. It is thought that the track or roadway may have been a late Iron Age or early Roman route associated with settlements to the south, such as Canterbury and Bigbury.

1,828 sherds of pottery dating between 150 BC – 70 AD were recovered from the fills of features at the site. The pottery comprised sherds of flagons, bowls, platters, cups, beakers, and jars, all flint or grog tempered Belgic ware. Other finds identified during the excavation included oyster shells, fragments of daub, fire cracked flints (pot boilers).
This excavation suggested that the site was both domestic and industrial in character, and formed the south-eastern part of a much larger settlement. (3)


<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, An archaeological evaluation on land at Long Reach Close, Borstal Hill, Whitstable, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53260.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, Borstal Hill, Whitstable (Article in serial). SKE58452.

<3> Tim Allen, 2019, Wraik Hill, near Whitstable, An archaeological evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE53316.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1999. An archaeological evaluation on land at Long Reach Close, Borstal Hill, Whitstable, Kent.
  • <2> Article in serial: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. Borstal Hill, Whitstable. 23rd Annual Report, p. 12.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Tim Allen. 2019. Wraik Hill, near Whitstable, An archaeological evaluation.

Finds (10)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Archaeological evaluation on land at Long Reach Close, Borstal Hill, Whitstable, 1999 (EKE19621)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at Borstal Hill, Whitstable, 1999 (EKE24559)

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 2:45PM