Monument record TR 36 NE 2680 - Bronze Age Ring Ditch along route of Margate to Weatherless Hill pipeline (Area 3)

During excavations associated with the installation of a pipeline between Margate and Broadstairs, part of a Bronze Age ring ditch was uncovered. This was revealed in excavation area 3, along Broadley Road. The ring ditch encircled an earlier (likely Neolithic) enclosure and it is possible that the two features are associated.

This feature was represented by two curvilinear, fairly substantial ditches, which are likely to represent one circular feature. The ditches were between 0.71m and 1.72m wide and 0.54m – 0.96m deep. The sides were in general moderately sloping and convex, becoming steeper halfway down. The base was concave to flat. The diameter of this ring-ditch was approximately 20m. The size and form of the feature suggests this was part of an Early Bronze Age round barrow. The dating evidence suggested a prehistoric date, possibly early. The fills, between two and four of which were seen in the different sections, were generally naturally accumulated. Other archaeological components from the fills included animal bone and shell. (1-3)

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, Margate to Weatherlees Hill Wastewater Treatment Works Twin Pipeline: Interim Statement (Unpublished document). SKE13017.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2008, Thanet's Longest Excavation: Archaeological Investigations Along the Route of the Weatherless - Margate - Broadstairs Wastewater Pipeline (Monograph). SKE53449.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2006, Margate and Broadstairs Urban Wastewater Treatment Scheme (Unpublished document). SKE29263.