Monument record TQ 87 NW 1142 - Possible medieval saltern, St Mary Hoo

Summary

The earthwork remains of a small sub-circular mound measuring 15m x 16m which may be remains of a medieval saltern mound. This was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. These mounds are the result of large-scale salt manufacturing where brine was extracted from salt-rich sands and sediments, concentrated and evaporated using process known as sleeching. The discarded waste material from the process built up around the production area into a sizeable mound, often with a hollow in the centred where a hut stood. These medieval saltern mounds are typically described as floriate in form because of their irregular lobed formation of dumped waste. They often occur in clusters around former and surviving tidal water-courses within the marsh. There has been considerable reclamation and subsequent sea wall construction since the medieval period which has isolated these sites from the sea. Many of these mounds were subsequently utilised as sheepfolds, sheep washes and stock refuges in the post medieval period because of their slightly elevated position in the readily flooded marshes. Roman finds have been extracted from some of these sites, but are believed to be from the lower levels and not associated with the mounds. Post-Roman flooding and silt deposition has resulted in Roman sites lying typically several feet below the current land surface.

Location

Grid reference TQ 8044 7892 (point)
Map sheet TQ87NW
County KENT
Civil Parish ST MARY HOO, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

<1> RAF, 1947, NMR RAF/CPE/UK/1923 3005 16-JAN-1947 (Photograph). SKE55858.

<2> Spurrell FCJ,, 1885, Early Sites and Embankments on the Margins of the Thames Estuary, vol 42 (Article in serial). SKE53799.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Photograph: RAF. 1947. NMR RAF/CPE/UK/1923 3005 16-JAN-1947. NMR RAF/CPE/UK/1923 3005 16-JAN-1947.
  • <2> Article in serial: Spurrell FCJ,. 1885. Early Sites and Embankments on the Margins of the Thames Estuary. Archaeological Journal 42. vol 42.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project NMP (EKE20812)

Record last edited

Mar 21 2024 3:30PM