Pleistocene and Holocene layers and palaeochannels were excavated at Kingsmead Sports Stadium, Canterbury during geoarchaeological investigations, some of which took place in 2004.

A layer of Pleistocene gravels dating from around 18-15,000 years before the present day was present running across the centre of the site. The gravels were "deposited within a cold climate (fast-flowing) braided river system... towards the end of the last glacial period" (from the original report, 1). Bedded clays and silts containing organic material are thought to indicate that this braided river system existed into the Holocene period. These deposits are thought to have potential for Mesolithic archaeology, such as evidence for occupation.

A Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene (15-10,000 years before the present day) channel is evidenced in the centre of the site by the presence of a low-lying area of gravel. This channel is thought to have originally created a link between the Little Stour and the Great Stour. Landscape evidence may be present within the gravels in the form of plant micro and macro remains.

Two further palaeochannels are present at the North and South areas of the site. These are thought to represent the original courses of the Great and Little Stour respectively. Parts of the course of the Little Stour appears to have changed relatively recently, with the meandering channel visible on a 1907 OS map. However, one of the test pits produced evidence suggesting that an ancient meander of the river, dating to 6,000 years BC, was present at the site. Analysis of plant remains from this test pit indicated that the area was a wetland environment adjacent to temporary pools of standing water. The plant remains included wood, rootlets, charcoal flecks, branched bur-reed, marsh woundwort, sedges, common meadow-rue, stinging nettle, black nightshade, buttercup, grasses, and Potentilla. The remains of insects are also present within this sample.
The evidence for palaeochannels comprises gravel, organic clays, and peats.

Other minor channels and meanders may also be present at the site, associated with the Great and Little Stour rivers. (1)

<1> Museum of London, 2006, KINGSMEAD SPORTS STADIUM Kingsmead Road Canterbury County of Kent A geoarchaeological assessment December 2006 (Unpublished document). SKE55878.