Three small areas were defined as of high palaeolithic potential during phase 1 and 2 geoarchaeological evaluations undertaken at the Ebbsfleet Green development site. These occupy a strip at the eastern side of the northern part of the site, adjacent to the CTRL elephant site and a small area at the extreme southeast corner of the site. The first area, known as area A, contains varied sand, gravel and clayey deposits, likely to relate to the CTRL elephant site sequence. Undisturbed megafaunal remains with associated flint scatters, areas of flint knapping activity and handaxe-bearing gravel area likely present 0.5 to >5 m below ground level, down to c. 20 m OD. The second area, (known as Area E) contains sandy brickearth with occasional gravel, overlying pebbly clay Undisturbed occupation horizon (or horizons) with occasional handaxes and knapping scatters in the brickearth 0.5 to >5 m below ground level, down to c. 25 m OD.(1) Later works at the site clarified the extent of the surviving deposits in these areas. (2)

These areas were further examined and refined during a third phase of investigation that included a programme of test pitting for Palaeolithic archaeology. Four areas were defined as having palaeolithic potential, N9 in the south eastern corner of the site was defined as being of medium potential for Palaeolithic archaeology, while areas N7, N8 and N10 the area in the north eastern corner are of high Palaeolithic potential. In particular area N10 a number of in situ Palaeolithic flint artefacts were recovered directly beneath the plough soil and are very vulnerable to even the slightest impact. (3)

The combined results of all three phases of work have contributed to a deposit model.

<1> CgMs, 2015, Geo-archaeological evaluation, Phase 1 and 2, Northfleet West, Southfield Road, Swanscombe, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE52583.

<2> MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology Service), 2017, EBBSFLEET GREEN (FORMERLY NORTHFLEET WEST SUB-STATION) SOUTHFLEET ROAD EBBSFLEET KENT (Unpublished document). SKE52886.

<3> Museum of London Archaeology, 2011, Northfleet West substation, Southfleet Road, Swanscombe: geoarchaeological evaluation report (Unpublished document). SKE30738.