A series of post and stakeholes were discovered during excavations carried out on land off Craythorne Lane, New Romney. These likley represent the former site of stuctures/buildings at this location and were associated with material datable to the 13th and early 14th century.

These were located across the excavated area and probable relate to several separate features. The firsth three formed a group; Posthole [218] A small circular posthole with a shallow concave profile measuring 0.24m in diameter and 0.10m deep contained fill [219] a mid yellowish grey silty sand with occasional sub-rounded pebbles and pea-grit inclusions from which no datable material was recovered. Posthole [222] A circular posthole measuring 0.27m in diameter and 0.33m deep with steep sides and a concave base contained fill [223] a grey silty sand with occassional sub-rounded pebbles. Posthole [231]A small sub-circular posthole with “u” shaped profile and concave base measuring 0.60m in diameter and 0.20m deep cutting into an underlying beam slot contained fill [232] a firm mid-to-dark grey brown silty sand with sub-rounded pebbles and charcoal flecks throughout. No datable material was recovered. An environmental sample taken from this fill contained wheat caryopses and possible beet (Beta vulgaris), grass (Poaceae), knotgrass/dock (Polygonum / Rumex sp.), and several poorly preserved indeterminate seeds are also present.

Four further post holes formed another group along the high ridge in the east of site: posthole [100] A small posthole measuring 0.85m in diameter with a depth of 0.35m, with an irregular “v” shape with moderately sloping sides and irregular, pointed base. Fill [101] a dark brownish grey fine silty sand with occasional flint pebbles and gravel contained no datable material. Post hole [102] A small posthole measuring 0.65m in diameter with a depth of 0.48m with a “v” shaped cut with fairly steep sloping sides and slightly pointed base. Fill [103] a mid-to-dark brown sandy silt with moderate sub-rounded pebbles contained 5 potsherds (1275-1350), 6 bone fragments and 4 oyster shell fragments, a small fragment of German lava quern. Post hole [137] A sub-spherical posthole with concave sides and base, measuring 0.52m in diameter with a depth of 0.29m, containing fill [138] a mid-to-dark grey brown fine sandy silt with occasional flint pebbles with 1 possibly intrusive potsherd (1325-1400) and 1 shell fragment. And post hole [157]A small circular pit with concave base and sides measuring approximately 0.72m in diameter and 0.25m deep. Fill [158] a dark brownish grey fine silty sand with occasional flint pebbles and gravel contained no dating evidence.

Another group of features were formed by 3 associated stakeholes These three stakeholes are in a line aligned northwest-southeast. Stakeholes [132] a small sub-circular, “u” shaped stakehole measuring 0.13m in diameter with a depth of 0.08m, [212] an ovoid, “u” shaped cut measuring 0.19m in diameter with a depth of 0.10m and [214] a sub-rectangular, “u” shaped cut measuring 0.11m with a depth of 0.11m. Fill [133] (of [132]) was a light brown-grey sine silty sand with rare flint pebbles (30mm), sampled as <13>. Fill [213] (of [212]) a mid brownish grey fine sandy silt with no inclusions contained no datable material. Fill [215] (of [214]) a mid brownish grey fine sandy silt with no inclusions contained no datable material.

The other post and stakeholes acorss the site could not definitely be associated with one another. Posthole [189] was small, sub-circular cut with concave sides and a rounded base, located close to the northern corner of site. It contained 2 fills. Stakehole [201] Steep-sided with a concave base measuring 0.08m in diameter and 0.08m deep. Probably a driven wooden-stake. It contained a single fill. Posthole [124] A small sub-circular shallow posthole with concave sides and base measuring 0.60m in diameter with a depth of 0.12m containing fill [125] a light-to-mid brownish-grey fine sandy silt with very occassional sub-rounded flint pebbles. Four potsherds (1300-1375), 1 bone fragment and 7 oyster shell fragments were recovered. Stakehole [130] A small sub-circular stake hole with a “v” shaped cut measuring 0.22m in diameter with a depth of 0.13m. The single fill comprised mid grey brown fine sandy clayey silt with light yellowish brown mottling. Occasionall pea-grit inclusions were also observed. Post hol [220] was a small posthole measuring 0.23m in diameter with a depth a 0.09m cutting the edge of a pit located towards the southern corner of site. It had a single fill. Posthole [210] A small sub-circular posthole measuring 0.35m in diameter with a depth of 0.08m which cut into the base of a pit. Posthole [230] small sub-circular pit/posthole measuring 0.75m in diameter with a depth of 0.12m which was cut fairly centrally into the base of a pit, it contained two fills. contained 11 potsherds (1275-1350), 1 CBM fragment, 19 animal bone fragments, 5 oyster
shell fragments and 2 pieces of iron. Posthole [135] An ovoid shaped posthole with a slightly concave irregular sides and base measuring 0.6m in diameter with a depth of 0.15m. It had a single fill that comprised midto- dark greyish brown fine sandy silt with occasional flint pebbles (30-40mm). One potsherd (1250-1325), three bone fragments and 1 oyster shell fragment were recovered. Stakehole [149] was small circular stakehole measuring 0.23m in diameter and 0.15m deep with a moderate break-of-slope, concave northern edge and a moderately sloping edge on the south which taper to the base. It had a single fill. Posthole [185] A small sub-circular posthole 0.40m in diameter and 0.16m deep, with concave sides and a rounded base. Its single fill produced part of an iron knife. Posthole [187] A small sub-circular posthole 0.25m in diameter and 0.08m deep, with concave sides and a rounded base with a single fill. Posthole [224] small sub-circular posthole 0.35m in diameter and 0.20m deep, with concave sides and a rounded base with a single fill. Posthole [226] A small sub-circular posthole 0.25m in diameter and 0.12m deep, with near vertical, straight sides gradually leading to a rounded base with a single fill. (1) (informaiton summarised from source)

<1> Archaeology South - East, 2009, Post Excavation Assessment and updated project design, St Nicholas School, Fairfield Road, New Romney (Unpublished document). SKE55256.