Monument record TR 15 NW 2644 - Medieval ditched boundary and ?post-medieval agricultural features on land off Cockering Road, Canterbury

A medieval ditched boundary was excavated during an evaluation in 2017 on land off Cockering Road, Canterbury. The ditch was aligned SW-NE and measured 1.09m in width and 0.41m in depth. The ditch had a U-shaped profile. It contained within its fill two sherds of medieval pottery dating to the 12th-13th centuries. The feature and its projected alignment have been mapped.
Earlier features at the site include Bronze Age and Iron Age ditches and pits (TR 15 NW 2644). Later features at the site include post-medieval boundaries and a pit, alongside evidence for hop growing during the modern period. (1)

Geophysical survey at the site prior to evaluation had identified a number of agricultural features, including boundary ditches, which were thought to date from the post-medieval period. This medieval boundary may be one of those identified through the survey. (2)

During a strip, map, and sample excavation carried out in 2017, further medieval and post-medieval features including four quarry pits, ditches, and small pits were located in Area 1 (to the west) and a two post-medieval ditches were located in Area 2 (to the east). Several post-medieval sheep and cattle burials were also identified to the west of the site.
Finds including Canterbury-type ware pottery sherds, and ceramic building material were associated with this phase of activity at the site. The ceramic building material largely consisted of roof tile, and dated between the Roman and the post-medieval periods. It is likely that some of the material may have originated from Roman buildings in the Canterbury hinterland and was later reused during the medieval period as hardcore or building material. (3)

<1> Oxford Archaeology East, 2017, Land off Cockering Road, New Thanington, Canterbury, Kent: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE55658.

<2> Wardell Armstrong, 2015, PENTLAND HOMES LTD NEW THANINGTON, CANTERBURY, KENT GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY REPORT February 2015 (Unpublished document). SKE55905.

<3> Oxford Archaeology East, 2018, Land off Cockering Road, New Thanington, Canterbury, Kent Excavation Report March 2018 (Unpublished document). SKE58705.