Monument record TQ 67 SW 1583 - Early Roman chalk quarries, Springhead, Northfleet

Summary

Excavation in 2000-2002 found three areas of chalk quarrying with an early Roman date. The chalk quarries comprised two large intercutting complexes, and a third smaller complex was located a short distance to the south-east. All have been assigned an early Roman date, though they may have remained in use until well into the 2nd century. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6185 7257 (47m by 38m) (2 map features)
Map sheet TQ67SW
Civil Parish GRAVESEND, GRAVESHAM, KENT
County KENT
District GRAVESHAM, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Excavation in 2000-2002 found three areas of chalk quarrying with an early Roman date. The chalk quarries comprised two large intercutting complexes, one was 30 m by 18 m and the other approximately 25 m by 18 m. Both were a little over 1 m deep with fairly flat bottoms, though their irregular plan and varying profiles of the sides makes it clear that they were dug as a part of a series of probably short-lived operations.A third smaller complex was located a short distance to the south-east. This comprised a smaller and more irregular complex of intercutting pits, measuring a maximum of 15 m by 10 m, though of similar depth to the larger quarries to the north. A neonate had been buried in the top of its fill. All have been assigned an early Roman date, though they may have remained in use until well into the 2nd century. (1-2)


<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.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2003, Channel Tunnel Rail Link Archaeological works at Springhead Roman Town (ARC SPH00): interim fieldwork report (Unpublished document). SKE31600.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <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: #106209 chalk quarries, ]
  • <2> Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 2003. Channel Tunnel Rail Link Archaeological works at Springhead Roman Town (ARC SPH00): interim fieldwork report.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

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

Aug 24 2020 3:21PM