In 1990 an assessment for the anticipation of the contruction of Thanet Way took place. A small scattering of Roman pottery was found implying at settlement site, adjacent to Owls Hatch Road. A few later Iron Age pottery sherds from the same site were also found, perhaps suggesting a pre-conquest settlement. (1)

In 1991 an archaeological evaluation was carried out by Canterbury Archaeological Trust at various sites along Thanet Way. Four trenches immiediately adjacent to Owl's Hatch Road and west of Plenty Brook, revealed a number of archaeological eatures; ditches and pits. These were found in a concentrated area of pot scatter. More features were located to the east of Trench 2A and considerable amounts of pottery were collected.

Five features in all were noticed; 3 pits and two linear features which were possible ditches. The ditches contained 1 sherd of 'Belgic' grogged probably post-Conquest c. AD 50-75/100 and 2 sherd which were dated to around 75 AD onwards. But a majority of the finds which came out of these were Early Medieval through, so these sherd may just be residual. Only one other pit contained Iron Age/Roman pottery sherds. This was a large circular pit, c.3.5m in diameter, which contained between 50-75 sherds present in its fill. 5 were of 'Belgic' grogged dating to the Conquest c. AD 25-75. The rest were all post-Conquest, including Romanising 'Belgic' wares c. AD 75-100/125 and Roman Canterbury sandy wares dating to the late 1st century to the second. The dates suggest 2nd century occupation. Roman tiles were also present. (2)

There appears to be human activity on this site from the Late Iron Age through to the 13th century. Large quanities of charcoal and Roman brick and tile suggests long-term occupation. 9th and 10th century ceramic material contained in some feature may suggest a presence of an Anglo-Saxon occupation site also. (2)


In 1995 an evaluation was carried out by Canterbury Archaeological Trust at specific sites along Thanet Way. Roman, Medieval and Post-Mediveal pottery all found. Rubbish pits, hearth pits, quarried holes, possible post holes, ditches and a gully were all present. It appears the site however is Romano-British and specialist examination of the pottery dates it to c.50/100-300 AD. One of the pits produced a coin, though it was corroded and illegible, probably 1st or 2nd century. Two pits had scorcehed bases and were probably hearth pits. (3)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1990, Thanet Way: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE17200.

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Thanet Way: Sections 2-4, Arch. evaluations, CAT, 1995. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1991, Thanet Way Sections 2-4: Archaeological Evaluations (TWPT 91) Level III Report (Unpublished document). SKE12050.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1995, Archaeological Works on the Thanet Way Sections 2-4 1995: Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE17334.