Monument record TQ 97 SE 1292 - Medieval and post-medieval field boundaries, and medieval pits, The Slips, Scocles Road

During an evaluation and an excavation carried out at the site in 2023, medieval and post-medieval boundary ditches and medieval pits were identified at the site. Two medieval boundary ditches measuring 0.7-0.74m in width, and 0.2-0.22m in depth were recorded during the excavations.

Artefacts associated with these features included 11th-14th century pottery and a human tooth.
In addition, two pits containing medieval pottery were also identified. One of the pits (3.6m in diameter and 0.3m in depth) contained animal remains alongside oyster and cockle shell fragments, suggesting this feature could have functioned as a refuse pit. The other pit measured 1.2m in diameter and 0.1m in depth.

The medieval features found on site indicate a wider agricultural medieval landscape, potentially relating to Farmsted at Thistle Hill located c. 0.75km to the south-west.

A post-medieval east-west aligned ditch truncated one of the medieval boundary ditches and is interpreted (2) as a continuation or re-establishment of the medieval field boundary. There was also a north-south aligned ditch which also formed part of the field system that is largely still in use today. (1, 2)

<1> Archaeology South - East, 2023, Archaeological Excavations, The Slips, Scocles Road, Minster-on-Sea, Kent, ME12 3SN: Post-Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE55808.

<1> Archaeology South - East, 2023, The Slips, Scocles Road, Minster-on-Sea, Kent, ME12 3SN: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE55807.