During an archaeological investigation ahead of the construction of Thanet Parkway rail station off Hengist Way, Cliffsend, a wide variety of archaeological features finds and deposits were uncovered. This includes evidence for settlement-related activities alongside agriculture dating to the early to middle Roman period. In total, 16 buildings have been identified which were principally located in the area of the north-south aligned hollow-way but two buildings were recorded further to the west and nearer to the east-west hollow-way. The structures were represented as sunken-featured buildings, with post-settings, numerous stake-holes, floors and other associated features. In general, pottery recovered from post-holes or floors within the buildings dates to the first century AD. However, a later phase of floor in one building produced pottery dated second to third century AD. Evidence for internal modifications in the form of renewing floors and moving post- and stake-hole positions was noted in several structures, which may indicate that the use of the buildings was long-lived. One building contained two hearths and a small pit containing an infant burial. Another of the buildings contained a compacted flint floor surface, and a possible internal wall constructed of chalk lumps and clay. A building which is particularly worthy of note was building G5890 which rectangular in plan and measured approximately 3.5m by 5.5m with internal posts, occupation deposits and the site of a hearth. Pottery suggests a first to second century AD date for this phase of the building. Subsequently the building was modified, and an oven or kiln was constructed. The feature was oval in plan measuring 0.8m by 1m with the superstructure probably supported by a group of horizontal timbers, as represented by beam-slots. The flue extended to the limit of the cut of the earlier building. However, it is uncertain whether the building was still standing at this point. Pottery dated to the second century AD was recovered from within the firing chamber. Probably associated with the building, although with which phase is uncertain, was an infant burial located immediately west of the structure. Numerous pits and post-holes were recorded in the areas around the buildings and these may be associated with the settlement-related activity. To the west of the waterhole, and in close proximity to the buildings, three wells were identified. (information summarised from sources)(1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2023, Thanet Parkway, Land south of the A299 (Hengist Way), Cliffsend Ramsgate, Kent, Archaeological post-excavation assessment and updated project design (Unpublished document). SKE55795.