Monument record TR 36 SW 439 - Possible ditches and enclosures, west of Earlsmead Crescent

Geophysical (magnetometry) survey carried out in 2016 found a number of features that were interpreted as ditches or enclosures. The features were not excavated so could not be dated.

The majority of the magnetic anomalies visible in area E of the survey which were considered to of archaeological interest, are located in the north-eastern part of the survey area, directly north of Area B. Perhaps the clearest of these is located at 5013, where a recti-linear arrangement of weakly positive anomalies can be seen. This comprises a north-west – south-east aligned linear anomaly which measures approximately 43 m in length, though there is a short break in the middle of this for approximately 4 m. 6.5 m to the south of this there is a perpendicular south-west – north-east orientated linear feature. These both measure approximately 1 – 1.5 m in width and are represented by a similar range of magnetic values between 0 and +2 n. Though there is no clear physical relationship between these features, it is considered likely that these relate to a ditched enclosure or elements of a field system. Approximately 15 m to the north of 5013, there are two further positive linear anomalies on an east – west alignment at 5014. These are weakly positive (0 – +1.5 nT) and are similarly around 1 – 1.5 m in width. The eastern most part of this measures 18 m in length and possibly continues for a further 13 m after an 8 m gap. In addition, further to the east there is another relatively short 12 m long linear features which shares a similar set of characteristics, albeit with a short perpendicular extension towards the south. Close to the eastern boundary of Area E, an orthogonally shaped linear anomaly can be visualised at 5016. This extends 15 m westwards before turning ninety degrees towards the south to continue for a further 15 m. On the same approximate west-north-west – east-south-east alignment there is a further linear feature at 5017. This feature transects asmall area between the north and east boundary of the field, and is represented by a linear anomaly which extends for 43 m. Both 5016 and 5017 are characterised by a relatively weak 1 – 2 m wide positive magnetic response between 0 – +2 nT. This is very similar to other anomalies identified as archaeology across the site and therefore these are likely to relate to ditch-like features, possibly within a wider system of enclosures. At 5018, in the western part of Area E, there is an additional linear feature which is of a slightly different character to those seen at 5013 – 5017. This measures 55 m in length, 2 – 3.5 m in width and is represented by positive magnetic values of 0 – +2 nT. This is orientated on a north-west – south- east alignment and is interpreted as archaeology as it is clearly visible within the gradiometer dataset. However, it is broader and slightly more irregular in shape than other features in Area E and it is likely therefore that this may relate to a different phase or function to those identified in the east of the area. (information summarised from source) (1)

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2016, Land South of Canterbury Road West and adjacent to Cottington Road, Ramsgate, Kent, Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report (Unpublished document). SKE52738.