Monument record TR 36 SE 795 - Chalk Hill Neolithic Causewayed Enclosure - outer arc excavated segments

Summary

Located in the central part of the excavated area, during investigations associated with the construction of the Ramsgate Harbour Approach road in 1997/1998 was a series of three, possibly four or five, concentric arcs of discontinuous groups of cut features. These features were understood to represent part of a ‘causewayed enclosure’ of Early Neolithic Date. Seemingly concentric to the Middle Arc, on its western side was another arc of cut segments – the outer arc. Only the northern and southern parts of this arc were visible in the excavation area, the central connecting section of the arc lying to the west, clearly visible on aerial photographs. The Middle and Outer Arcs were separated by a gap of about 11-13m, and the overall reconstructed length of the Outer Arc would have been in excess of 200m. Combining excavation and aerial photographic evidence the arc consisted of 19 segments, of which six were exposed in the excavation area. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 3619 6465 (40m by 149m) (20 map features)
Map sheet TR36SE
Civil Parish RAMSGATE, THANET, KENT
County KENT
District THANET, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Located in the central part of the excavated area, during investigations associated with the construction of the Ramsgate Harbour Approach road in 1997/1998 was a series of three, possibly four or five, concentric arcs of discontinuous groups of cut features. These features were understood to represent part of a ‘causewayed enclosure’ of Early Neolithic Date. Seemingly concentric to the Middle Arc on its western side was another arc of cut segments – the outer arc. Only the northern and southern parts of this arc were visible in the excavation area, the central connecting section of the arc lying to the west, clearly visible on aerial photographs. The Middle and Outer Arcs were separated by a gap of about 11-13m, and the overall reconstructed length of the Outer Arc would have been in excess of 200m. Combining excavation and aerial photographic evidence the arc consisted of 19 segments, of which six were exposed in the excavation area.

The nature of the main segments of the Outer Arc was markedly different to those of the Inner and Middle Arcs. These segments were characterised by large, linear clusters of repeated pit digging resulting in composite features in excess of 1m in depth. Segment 1 was a composite feature resulting from repeated pit-cutting and infilling (at least 34 pits were recorded) in a linear zone 14m long, up to 2m wide and over 1m deep. This large linear focus of pit-cutting and depositional activity was initially characterised by a series of elongated pits. A complex sequence of smaller pits followed before the area was redesigned by the cutting of a relatively shallow but extensive linear feature. Unidentified animal bone from this feature provided a radiocarbon date of 3800 3660 cal BC (at 95% probability). A post hole containing a concentration of carbon probably indicates the former presence of a post which had been burnt in situ. The Outer Arc was next encountered at the western limit of excavation, 111.5m to the north of the western terminal of Segment 1, in the form of the eastern terminal of another segment. Only a small portion of this feature was seen, 1.5m north – south by 1m west – east, was seen in plan, the cut being 0.85m deep. The basal fills of this feature were overlain by a mass of cultural and faunal material in a carbon-stained silty matrix, most probably a ‘placed deposit’. This contained more than 1000 seafood shells. Associated with this was significant pottery assemblage, including 12 large fresh adjoining sherds of an early Neolithic Plain Bowl which appeared to have been crushed in situ. The western terminal of Segment 3 of the Outer Arc lay 3.3m to the north-east of Segment 2. Segment 3 was the sum of multiple episodes of consecutive pit-cutting, many only glimpsed in section. Three potential post-settings were set along the south-eastern edge of the segment. Only seen during evaluation of the site, segment 4 was located in the space between areas later recognised as Outer Arc Segments 3 and 5. Immediately adjacent to the putative Segment 4 and 7.4m from north-eastern terminal of Segment 3, Segment 5 was again characterised by initial development via a sequence of discrete pits, in this case focussed on two areas that were eventually joined to form a single segment. The earliest feature towards the south-west end of the segment was a pit that produced a very large number of struck flints (2041 pieces) were recovered from what remained of its basal deposits, probably resulting from either a single major depositional event or successive dumps of worked flint. Almost 2.5m from the eastern terminal of Segment 5 of the Outer Arc was a linear feature interpreted as another segment (Segment 6). This feature was excavated as a single arcing linear with a rounded southwest terminal, 2.4m wide and with a length of at least 7.9m. The feature was only partially and hastily excavated, but it was found to be filled with a series of silt deposits, one of which near the base of the sequence contained a rich finds assemblage that included part of a polished axe. (information summarised from source) (1-2)


<1> 2019, Chalk Hill - Neolithic and Bronze Age Discoveries at Ramsgate, Kent (Monograph). SKE56208.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, Excavations at Chalk Hill, near Ramsgate, Kent 1997-98: Integrated assessment & updated research design (Unpublished document). SKE29640.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1>XY Monograph: 2019. Chalk Hill - Neolithic and Bronze Age Discoveries at Ramsgate, Kent. [Mapped feature: #125620 Causewayed enclosure, ]
  • <2> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1997. Excavations at Chalk Hill, near Ramsgate, Kent 1997-98: Integrated assessment & updated research design.

Finds (7)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Excavations at Chalk Hill, Ramsgate (EKE23268)
  • Event Boundary: Excavations at Chalk Hill, Ramsgate (EKE23267)

Record last edited

Jun 21 2024 11:49AM