Excavation by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU) in advance of sand extraction by Brett Ltd, extending their workings at Charing, revealed parts of two enclosures originating in the late pre-conquest Iron Age(TQ 94 NW 53). Three cremation burials with pottery dating to the mid to late 2nd century AD were found in the upper filling of one of the abandoned enclosure ditches. All three had associated pottery goods with the burials (one is presumed as no trace of any bone was found) of native type, with two also including samian ware dishes. It is possible that these burials represent a larger cemetery which has been largely ploughed to destruction associated with a nearby settlement. Further groups of Roman pottery (cremations?) were observed during a watching brief on the initial groundworking ahead of extraction. (1)

<1> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1990, Charing, Near Ashford: Excavation of Iron Age and Romano-British Farmstead Sites at Bretts Sandpit, 1989 (Unpublished document). SKE12200.