A group of 13 pits were discovered during an excavation on land off Craythorne Lane, New Romney. Most of the pits appear to be for waste, but may have originally been timber-lined cess-pits re-used as rubbish pits with the lining removed. The components of this rubbish are diverse and, as well as the pottery, include iron finds, fish hooks, shell, burnt clay, clench bolts and roves etc indicative of fishing and ship repair or construction associated industry.

Pit [126] was a sub-circular shaped pit with a rounded, concave base located towards the middle of the excavated area. The pit measured 1.3m in diameter with an overall depth of 0.65m. There were four fills the upper two contained 61 potsherds (1200-1300), 136 bone fragments, 11 oyster shell fragments and 11 iron objects. The samples taken from the deposits within this feature contained rich macrobotanical assemblages. Moderately preserved bread wheat (T. aestivum) caryopses are particularly prominent although barley (Hordeum sp.) and oat (Avena sp.) grains are also relatively common. Macroplant remains from non-cereal crop plants such as broad bean (Vicia faba), vetch/tare (Vicia/Lathyrus sp.) and other legumes are also present.

Pit [175] was Sub-rounded in plan with a sharp break-of-slope, near vertical sides and fairly flat base. It had two fills contining 12 potsherds (1225-1325) 5 animal bone fragments and 5 potentially worked stones The sample contained small wood charcoal fragments and a small quantity of charred crop seeds including wheat (Triticum sp., T. cf. aestivum) grains and legumes.

Pit [206] An oval-shaped cut with a fairly shallow profile, sharp break-of-slope and slightly concave base. It contained 3 fills the uppermost contained one pot sherd (1200-1275), 8 animal bone fragments, 2 oyster shell fragments and 1 piece of iron.

Pit [203] was a shallow, circular cut with concave sides and base measuring 0.50m in diameter and 0.12m deep. It had a single fill that contained one pot sherd (1250-1325)

Pit [159/178} was a fairly large, wide pit measuring 2.00m in diameter with a depth of 0.55m. Two small possible postholes were cut into the base of the pit. It had a single fill that contained 42 potsherds (1250/75-1350), 1 fragment of possible imported Flemish brick, 18 animal fragments, 7 oyster shell fragments, 5 potentially worked stones and 2 pieces of iron.

Pit [192} was a sub-circular pit with wide “u” shaped profile, concave sides and base measuring c. 2.0m diameter with an overall depth of 0.64m. It contained 6 fills, the uppermost contained 125 potsherds (1250-1325), eight CBM fragments, 126 bone fragments, 64 oyster shell fragments, 4 stones, 18 iron objects and 4 copper alloy pieces. A sample taken from this fill contained bread wheat (T. aestivum) caryopses are particularly prominent although barley (Hordeum sp.) and oat (Avena sp.) grains.

Pitr [147] was a sub-rectangular pit measuring 1.20m by 0.33m with a depth of 0.68m very steep sided on the eastern edge, but the base was not fully revealed. It had a single fill comprised light yellowish grey silty sand with occasional sub-rounded pebbles, occasional pea-grit and rare charcoal flecks. Two potsherds (1250- 1325) and 4 bone fragments were recovered from the fill which was sampled and contained moderate to rich cereal

Pit [163] was a circular pit measuring 1.15m in diameter and 0.78m deep with a moderate break-of-slope and sides and a concave base. It contained 6 fills with only a small quantity of finds.

Pit [171] was0 .3m deep, wide sub-circular pit with concave sides and base measuring 1.55m in diameter. A small posthole was cut into the southern edge of this feature. It had one fill light grey brown silty sand with occasional sub-rounded pebbles and pea-grit contained 1 potsherd (1275-1325), 20 animal bone fragments and 6 oyster shell fragments. The sample contained moderately preserved bread wheat (T. aestivum) caryopses are particularly
prominent although barley (Hordeum sp.) and oat (Avena sp.).

Pit [239] was sub-circular pit measuring c. 1.0m in diameter extending beyond the limit of excavation. It was a shallow scoop 0.32m deep with a sharp break of slope at the top and gradual break of slope at the bottom of the slightly concave sides which were sloped at about 45° from horizontal. It contained just on fill with pottery (1225-1325) and bone.

Pit [141] was a slightly irregular “u” shaped profile with almost vertical sides (straight on the western edge and concave on the eastern edge), measuring 1.15m in diameter with a depth of 0.79m. It contained 3 fills The samples collected from the fills contained moderate to rich cereal (wheat, barley and oats) and legume (beans) assemblages as well as moderately diverse weed/wild seed assemblages as well as a few sherds of pottery (1250-1350 )and some bone and shell fragments

Pit [241] was 1.2m east to west and continued beyond the limit of excavation into the southern baulk. The shape in section was a smooth “U” shape with concave sides and sharp break of slope at the top. It had two fills both contained pottery datatble to 1250-1350. (1) (information summaried from source)

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