Archaeological evaluation and excavation in 1999 found a series of large oval enclosures in two phases, AD 850-1050 and AD 1050-1175. A droveway entered the enclosure via the entrance gap in the main enclosure. A later set of enclosures that respected the earlier droveway were accompanied by a hut and rubbish pit from c. AD 1200-1300.

Features excavated at the site during the evaluation in 1999 included a series of gullies and ditches, alongside two parallel ditches/beam slots, post holes, pits, the burial of a pig, a hollow-way, a circular sunken-floored structure, and a metalled surface.

The ditches and gullies are thought to have originated from several phases of agricultural activity at the site. One area comprising a linear arrangement of gullies and ditches may represent part of the manorial settlement of Chestfield, which was located south of the excavation. The pig burial was thought to represent the interment of a sow, speculated to have been highly valued by the community.

The hollow way has been interpreted as the northern terminal of Radfall Road which would originally have run between medieval Chestfield to the North Bishopsden Wood.

Daub associated with the sunked floored structure suggested that it had been constructed from wattle and daub. This structure was also associated with a hearth and deposits of domestic refuse including oyster and mussel shells, alongside pot boilers. A drainage ditch was also associated with the structure.

Pot-sherds dating to 1075-1125 AD, and between 1200-1275 AD indicated that two periods of domestic activity had taken place at the site during the medieval period. Other finds associated with the medieval phase of occupation included a midden which contained large quantities of oyster shell and animal bone thought to represent kitchen refuse, large quantities of iron slag, roof tile, and mollusc shells (including mussel, winkle, and cockle shell). The midden may have functioned as a roadside dumping ground for domestic waste, due to its close proximity with the hollow way.

A series of undated features were also excavated at the site, including post-holes, ditches, and pits. Residual Roman tile was identified within the fill of one of the medieval ditches, suggesting that activity of this date may have taken place in the vicinity of the site. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, An archaeological evaluation on land East of Churchwood Drive, Chestfield, near Whitstable, Kent. (Unpublished document). SKE54775.