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Monument record TQ 77 NW 201 - Probable saltern identified by aerial photgraphy study
Summary
The earthwork of a large irregular mound thought to be the remains of a possible medieval saltern mound located within Cliffe Marshes. The mound measures approximately 30m 40m with traces of former infilled and dry creek curving around its western side. Fine rig of what is probably post medieval agricultural improvement overlies this filled ditch at the northern end of the mound. The mound was seen on aerial photographs taken in 1947 and mapped as part of the of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. Saltern 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.This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project
Location
Grid reference | Centred TQ 7435 7751 (39m by 42m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | TQ77NW |
County | KENT |
Civil Parish | CLIFFE AND CLIFFE WOODS, MEDWAY, KENT |
Unitary Authority | MEDWAY |
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
<1> Historic England, 2012, National Mapping Programme survey: Hoo Peninsula (Digital archive). SKE32442.
<2> English Heritage, 2013, Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Bibliographic reference). SKE31432.
<3> RAF, 1947, NMR RAF/CPE/UK/1923 4034 16-JAN-1947 (Photograph). SKE57177.
<4> Historic England, 2016, Archive Material (Archive). SKE57167.
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SKE32442 Digital archive: Historic England. 2012. National Mapping Programme survey: Hoo Peninsula.
- <2> SKE31432 Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 2013. Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project.
- <3> SKE57177 Photograph: RAF. 1947. NMR RAF/CPE/UK/1923 4034 16-JAN-1947. NMR RAF/CPE/UK/1923 4034 16-JAN-1947.
- <4> SKE57167 Archive: Historic England. 2016. Archive Material.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- Non-Intrusive Event: Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Ref: Research Report Series no 21-2013) (EKE15020)
- Non-Intrusive Event: Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Ref: Research Report Series No. 21-2013) (EKE15021)
Record last edited
Oct 15 2024 3:49PM