Monument record TQ 77 NE 1392 - Post medieval oyster beds

A small group of post medieval oyster beds are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1957 and 2003. These are situated at the south eastern corner of the saltings in St. Mary's Bay and are centred on TQ 7957 7886. Most of the pits are rectangular and are arranged in a line close to the sea wall. Also present on the saltings are a number of ring-shaped cut features circa 15m in diameter that may also be associated with oysters. A small group seen on the 1947 photographs were centred on TQ 7950 7891 though much of this area has since been lost to the sea. Another ring at TQ 7952 7884 has also been lost to erosion although its curving form is reflected in the northern edge of the area of the body of water now at that point. The final ring-like depression is at TQ 7956 7885 which, due to erosion is now connected to a water channel. This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.(1-2)

<1> RAF., 1947, RAF CPE/UK/1923 3007-3008 16-JAN-1947 (Photograph). SKE58787.

<2> 2003, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ7978 14-AUG-2003 (Photograph). SKE58897.