Early to Mid Iron Age features consist of mainly large pits, representing an extensive, open settlement. The pits were used for rubbish, grain storage and for ritual functions (horse head deposited in one pit). Field ditches suggest a system of square fields to the East of the settlement, numerous cattle and pig bones indicate the importance of animal husbandry also. Pottery has continental parallels suggesting cultural links. Finds have been recovered from numerous transects indicating thorough exploitation of the whole area.

A significant no. of Late Iron Age pits + ditches suggest a change to enclosed village life during this period. The complex sequence of ditches reflect continuous modifications to the internal arrangement of the hamlet.

During the Roman period the settlement shifted north and the old enclosure was converted into fields. The village area was divided into plots, defined by new ditches. Rubbish pits are ubiquitous, each plot has a grave pit. 1 important house fronted with a stone revetment. The settlement was abandoned in the late Roman period, possibly due to poor soil fertility. (1) During subsequenct work three inhumation burials were discovered. Two were youg to middle aged females and one was a child. There were no grave good but they are assumed to be Roman in date. (2)

<1> Bennett, P., 1989, Canterbury's Archaeology 1987-8, CAT Annual Report, 1987-8, p.54-58. (Monograph). SWX7232.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1990, Canterbury's Archaeology 1988-1989 (Monograph). SKE6722.