Part of a ditch and two lines of post holes probably representing fence lines were identified during a strip map and sample excavation on land off Rolfe Lane in New Romney, Kent. These features are of a likely Medieval date.

The ditch was linear in plan, orientated northwest-southeast with concave base and shallow concave sides. It measured 28m+ long, 1.10m wide and 0.23m deep. It continued beyond the limit of excavation towards trench 23 where it was replaced by a modern land drain. The two rows of post holes which might represent former fence lines were identified, fairly evenly spaced with three and four either side of ditch. The row to the southwest of the ditch consisted on a set of four postholes Each posthole presented a fairly similar shape in plan (sub-oval or sub-circular) but varying from concave to straight sides with moderate to steep slope. Their dimensions also varied with length from 0.90m to 0.44m, width from 0.72m to 0.28m and depth from 0.10m to 0.33m. These variations may have been caused by rooting/animal disturbances.The row to the northeast of ditch was formed by another three possible postholes they were oval & sub-oval in plan with variable sides from stepped to straight and moderate to vertical slope. Their length varies from 1.37m to 0.63m, as a result of root/animal disturbance, while their width is quite standard only varying from 0.46m to 0.52m. The variable depth of the postholes (from 0.27m to 0.18m) probably depended on the different degree of truncation caused by ploughing on the features. The function of the posthole alignments remains uncertain but a domestic structural function can be ruled out. The postholes probably represent a fence line possibly for a sheep dip or a similar structure. The pottery discovered within the fills of these features was dominated by sandy/shelly wares and sandy wares datable to the medival period. In the previous excavations across the site a 13th to 14th century date is suggested. (1-2)

<1> CgMs, 2017, Strip, map and sample, excavation report, Land at Rolfe Lane, New Romney, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE52458.

<2> CgMs, 2017, Strip, Map and Sample Excavation, Interim Summary, Land at Rolfe Lane, New Romney, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53049.