Archaeological evaluation carried out east of Bogshole Lane in 1999 discovered evidence of a medieval settlement dated to c. 1075-1550. The features consisted of occupation deposits, ditches, pits, postholes and beamslots. Two of the ditches measured 2.8m in width and 0.5-0.7m in depth and are suggested to have functioned as a boundary/enclosure ditches.
A post-medieval ditch dating from around 1600-1750 AD may represent a continuation of the medieval settlement into the post-medieval period, but has been interpreted as being more likely to represent part of a later field ditch and unrelated to the medieval features at the site.

Finds associated with this phase of occupation included a large number of pot sherds, with a large number originating from cooking pots. This type of vessel suggests that the site may have had a largely domestic function. (1)

Excavation in 2001 following the evaluation recorded evidence for medieval agricultural features and timber structures. Three phases of activity were identified. In 1250-1375 AD, a group of nine intercutting rubbish pits (0.68-2.75m in length, and 0.06-0.50m in depth) were established. These features contained silty clay deposits containing shell, charcoal, and pottery. Two further pits were excavated, one measuring 0.43m in depth, the other, 1.70m in length, and 1.08m in width. A shallow gully aligned NW-SE was also associated with this phase of activity at the site. The feature measured 3.5m in length, and 0.42m in width, containing three sherds of medieval pottery. Four linear features (2-12m+ in length, 0.54-1.3m in width, and 0.33-0.42m in depth) interpreted as possible field ditches.

The second phase (1375-1550 AD) of activity comprised the cutting of a single pit measuring 2.30m in width and 0.10m in depth. This feature cut an earlier field ditch, suggesting that it had gone out of use by this period.

The third phase (1375-1550 AD) of activity at the site was characterised by the construction of two structures over the remains of the earlier field system. One of the structures (Structure 2) measured 6m in length, by 4m in width and had two rooms 2.5m and 3.1m long respectively. The other structure (Structure 3) measured 4m in length by 3m in width. Several gully beam slots, post-holes, and flint wall foundations were associated with the structures. A metalled floor surface was also identified within Structure 2.
Another possible structure (Structure 4?) was identified to the east of the other two structures. This was represented by a flint wall foundation 2.70m long by 0.73m wide, two post-pits, and a possible beam slot gully, an occupation surface, and a possible drain.
A metalled surface was also created during this period, forming a courtyard and street frontage for the two structures. The surface was "set back approximately 5.5m from the line of the road, and extended approximately 37m southwards from the northern limit of excavation. The southern extent of the courtyard measured approximately 14m wide from the western limit of excavation, extending up to 3m east of structure 2. To the north, the courtyard projected further eastwards, completely surrounding structure 2 and extending beyond the eastern limit of excavation. The southern
courtyard surface was well preserved, with evidence for at least one earlier sub-phase of metalling to the east of structure 2... The northern extent of the courtyard was badly damaged by later plough action" (from the original report, 2).

The final phase of medieval activity at the site was characterised by the cutting of a series of pits (0.36-2.5m in diameter, and 0.08-0.19m in depth), a gully, a dump deposit (2.70m long by 2.60m wide and up to 0.05m thick and thought to represent kitchen waste), field or garden soil deposition, the cutting of a gully (2.8m in length, 1.38m in width, and 0.09m in depth), and the creation of a possible hollow way (4m+ in length, 1.73m in width, and 0.39m in depth). The hollow way is thought to have led from the rear of structures 2 and 3.

1035 sherds of medieval pottery weighing 9,704g were recovered during the 2001 excavation. 145 sherds dated to 1250-1375 AD. 890 sherds were dated to 1375-1550. The majority of the assemblage comprised Tyler Hill ware.

Three fragments of basalt lava quern were recovered from the site, alongside, a piece of perforated oyster shell, unidentified iron artefacts and slag, roof tile, charcoal, oyster shell, a copper alloy ring, a copper alloy annular brooch, and animal remains (including horse, cattle, sheep, and sheep/goat). (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, An archaeological evaluation on land East of Bogshole Lane, Broomfield, near Herne Bay, Kent. (Unpublished document). SKE54772.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Archaeological excavation on land east of Bogshole Lane, Broomfield, near Herne Bay, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE54924.