Monument record TQ 77 NW 1351 - Medieval saltern mound, Higham

The earthwork remains of a possible medieval saltern mound centred at TQ 7063 7530. It is visible as a large amorphous mound measuring c. 75m x 55m, with an oval depression 10m x 15m to the south-west of the centre. The mound is surrounded by water channels within Higham Marshes which would have been tidal prior to construction of the sea wall.

These 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.

As with many saltern mounds, a post medieval sheepfold (TQ 77 NW 1031) was located on the south-eastern side of the enclosed raised area, utilising an elevated position in the marsh. The sheepfold is recorded on the 1st edition OS map of 1879. The mound was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. (1-3)

<1> RAF, 1953, RAF/82/732 0022 23-FEB-1953 (Photograph). SKE58817.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1879, Ordnance Survey: Kent Epoch 1, 1:2500 1879 (Map). SKE58581.

<3> Ordinance Survey, 1908, Ordnance Survey: Kent Epoch 3, 1:2500 1908 (Map). SKE55863.