Monument record TR 35 NW 926 - The earthwork remains of a possible moated enclosure

The earthwork remains of a possible Medieval/post Medieval moated enclosure were seen centred at TR 3176 5977 and mapped from aerial photographs at 1:2500 scale as part of the English Heritage: Richborough Environs Project.

The enclosure lies at around 3-4m OD on the southern edge of Richborough Island. It measures approximately 47m x 69m enclosing an inner platform of c. 51m x 33m. There is a break in the moat, possibly a causeway in the north-western side, and to the north of this a drain or feeder ditch could be seen branching out of the main moat. Two groups of cottages collectively referred to as Lowton on the first edition map were marked immediately to the north-east of this moat, and were described by G. Dowker in his account of researches at Richborough dating from 1872. In his account he noted- 'From the number of Roman remains found here, I should conjecture this to have been the site of the Roman town. No excavations, so far as I am aware, have ever been made here, but in the dry summer of 1865, traces of foundations were visible in the corn'. However, at no point in his account is any reference made to the presence of a moated enclosure.

A curving road associated with the Roman settlement at Richborough appears to be heading in the direction of this moated enclosure, possibly indicating that this may have been the location of a beaching or crossing point during the Roman occupation of the island.

Immediately to the north-west the traces of a second possible moat have also been seen on aerial photographs. This is recorded separately in NMR TR35NW 192. (1-2)


Historic england archive material: AF00055 Richborough Environs Project A 1:2500 scale air photographic survey of Richborough Roman fort and its environs was carried out as part of a Multi-disciplinary research project initiated by English Heritage Centre for Archaeology. The aim of the project was to establish the extent, morphology and complexity of the settlement in the area under active ploughing between the Saxon Shore fort and the amphitheatre. The combined results of the aerial survey, the geophysical surveys and small scale excavations undertaken by the CfA will be used to improve the interpretation, management and presentation of the site.
MD000152 Richborough Environs, TR 35 NW & TR 36 SW

<1> English Heritage, 2002, Richborough Environs Project, Kent Report on the Aerial Photographic Transcription and Analysis (Unpublished document). SKE31073.