Monument record TR 26 SW 271 - Anglo-Saxon structure, enclosure, well, and pit, Hoplands Farm, near Canterbury

An Anglo-Saxon rubbish pit, a structure, a ditched enclosure, and a timber lined well shaft were identified during a 2018 excavation at Hoplands Farm, near Canterbury. This activity followed a hiatus in activity from Iron Age and Roman period occupation (TR 26 SW 264 + TR 26 SW 270) of the site which continued into the late 4th century. The rubbish pit contained 17 potsherds, 14 of which dated from the early Anglo-Saxon period.

The timber lined well was constructed using a semi-mortice and tenon method with a square well head. The internal dimensions of the well head were 0.61m in length, the outer dimensions were 1.1m in length. The feature was not fully excavated; therefore, the depth of the well is unknown. It is postulated to have been constructed within a large circular pit, and to have lain within a cut terrace of around 0.68m in depth associated with large timber fragments and stones deposited in order to consolidate the ground surrounding the well.

The date of the feature is also uncertain as it was associated with Anglo-Saxon pottery dating to 450-550 AD, however, as it was unexcavated, the lower fills may have contained evidence indicating an earlier date. Due to its proximity to some of the mid-late Roman periods the authors of the report suggest that “it is possible, if not likely, that the well was sunk during the late Roman period and was re-used or rebuilt during the Early Anglo-Saxon period or, alternatively, that the well remained in use throughout the chaotic Roman-period /Anglo-Saxon transition period” (from the original report, 1).

A small mound of flint nodules alongside an associated ditch containing 8 pottery sherds dating from 450-550 AD were thought to indicate the site of an early Anglo-Saxon structure of unknown function.

The ditched enclosure was created by utilising part of the late Iron Age field system. A small Anglo-Saxon settlement is thought to have probably been established near to this feature, due to the number of pottery sherds associated with it. The report authors note that Anglo-Saxon occupation at this site overlaps chronologically with the use of a nearby cemtery (TR 16 SE 12) dating from the 6th-7th centuries, suggesting a potential connection between the sites. (1)

<1> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2019, An archaeological assessment report following an archaeological topsoil strip, map and sample excavation on the site of Hoplands Farm, Hersden, near Canterbury (Unpublished document). SKE57737.