The first ditch (G23) was encountered during an earlier phase of investigation at the site, in evaluation Trench 10. It was orientated NNE-SSW, measuring 1.62m wide x 0.65m deep and containing 3 fills. A continuation of this ditch was found during the archaeological excavations in SMS1, measuring 0.69m wide x 0.31m deep. It also exhibited a later recut. Early/ Middle Iron Age potsherds were recovered from the ditch during the evaluation and excavation.

Two further ditched (G9-G10) ran perpendicular to G23 on a WNW-ESE orientation cutting through ring ditch G13 and were initially discovered in the same evaluation Trench 10. Ditch G9 measured 0.45-1.10m wide x 0.10-0.65m deep; G10 measured 0.40-1.00m wide x 0.24-0.60m deep. G10 appears to have been a recut of G9 and was found to terminate to the WNW. It may have represented part of a later re-working of field boundaries. Ditch G10 continued beyond the eastern limit of excavation in SMS1 and was truncated away by modern made ground to the WNW. G9 and G10 contained single fills, characteristic of silting over time. Early/Middle Iron Age potsherds were recovered from both ditches. A small amount of disarticulated human bone was also recovered from a fill of ditch G10.

A fourth ditch (G11) was oriented NW-SE and found to cut both G9 and G10, as well as the earlier bronze age ring ditch It measured 0.64-0.80m wide x 0.17-0.23m deep and exhibited a concave profile in section. A small Early/ Middle Iron Age group of potsherds was recovered from its single silty fill. It was initially encountered in evaluation Trench 9, and SMS1 excavations found it to continue to the NW where it was truncated away by modern activity. However, beyond the original SE limit of excavation of Trench 9, G11 seemed to disappear into silted-up geological hollows. It appeared to be at odds with the co-axial field system formed by the other Iron Age ditches, and presumably it formed some minor addition to the ditches, perhaps in the area of an entranceway.

Enclosure ditch G12 was excavated and recorded following monitoring of ground reductions for housing Plots 10 and 11 during the watching brief. It measured between 0.53-0.97m wide x 0.15-0.20m deep and had been extensively truncated to the north and west by the subsequent building works associated with the convalescent home and school. The sides of the ditch were quite shallow sloping, and the base of the feature was concave. It potentially represented part of a livestock sorting enclosure, however, a lack of survival prevents further interpretation. (information summarised from source) (1)

<1> Archaeology South - East, 2023, Archaeological Excavations at Lanthorne Road, Broadstairs, Kent A post-excavation assessment and updated project design (Unpublished document). SKE57117.