Although stratigraphically isolated from the other features on the site, the earliest feature, extrapolated from the date-range of the seventeen potsherds retrieved from its fill was a circular pit with a diameter of 0.83m and a depth of 0.11m. It was interpreted on the basis of its shallowness and varied cultural inclusions as a plough-truncated rubbish pit. As the later part of its ascribed, pottery-based date-range (c. 1700 – c. 1150 BC) coincides with the earliest part of the date-range (c. 1150 – c. 500 BC) ascribed in the same way to the other features, it is possible that this features represents evidence of the first settlement or occupation on the site, if that activity was protracted and continuous.

Five further pits were identified, one (Pits 26) was large and could be interpreted with some confidence as a reservoir-like feature designed to conserve water, as was perhaps also suggested by its steep, stepped sides, flat base at a depth of 0.45m and its approximately 5m diameter. Re-use of a clay quarry for this purpose it also possible. Another pit (Pit 8) had an elongated oval plan and was 3.15m long, 0.81m wide and 0.22m deep. It produced fourteen potsherd with a date-range of c. 1150-800/500 BC. The final three pits which, respectively, were 0.18m, 0.22m & 0.28m wide and 0.18m, 0.11m & 0.1m deep, contained near identical fills. These pits were interpreted as probable truncated post holes or post pits.

Alongside the pits were continuous and discontinuous linear features interpreted as ditches or gullies some of which would have been used for drainage and appeared to discharge into the pond feature discussed above. Most contained fills which appeared to have been the result of natural silting processes and contained finds dating to between 1700 and 500 BC.

The exposed remains pointed to two phases of prehistoric occupation and/or settlement activity having occurred in the site. Most of the pot sherds recovered (161) had the date-range of c. 1700 – c. 1150 BC, almost certainly indicating that the main focus of settlement activity on the site took place sometime during that period. Of the remaining potsherds recovered during the excavation, 58 were ascribed a date-range of c. 1150 – c. 800/500 BC. Given these potsherds’ lesser numbers and their presence in ditch fills, this evidence is more suggestive of Mid-to-Late/Early Iron Age occupation activity having taken place in relatively close proximity to a settlement. (information summarised from source) (1-2)

<1> Kent Archaeological Services, 2017, An archaeological investigation on a site adjacent to Mallisden, Haine Road, Ramsgate, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53367.

<2> Kent Archaeological Projects, 2017, An archaeological evaluation on land adjacent to Maillisden, Haine Road, Ramsgate, Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE52466.