[TQ 61607408 - sited from plan AO/64/105/1](2) Foundations of a Roman building associated with two wells and a lime kiln, were noted by Spurrell (1) on the left bank of the Ebbsfleet and excavated by the Dartford District Antiquarian Society 1909-11. [See plans AO/64/105/2-3-4] Three Roman phases followed a pre-Roman occupation evidenced by calcined grains and traces of straw below the foundations. Several cwts. of pottery, five identifiable bronze coins dating from the 1st to 4th.C.,others unidentifiable, tesserae (nearly all red brick), etc., were found. A second building, of considerable size, but not completely excavated was found 20 yds. to the south. [See plan AO/64/105/5]. Jessup refers to the site as "the Northfleet villa site" but Taylor considers "the walls uncovered appear from the plan to represent an industrial building, rather than a dwelling house, but they probably belong to more than one building and are of various ages". (1 to 4) The site now waste ground and allotment gardens is indicated by a heavy scatter of Ro. tile and brick. (5) Additional bibliography. (6 to 7)

There was no direct evidence for pre-Roman occupation although late iron age pottery was found in association with Roman pottery. Similarly there was no direct evidence for post-Roman occupation of the area although sherd of early medieval pottery was found around the villa area.(8-10)

Extensive investigation at the site has truncated or destroyed much of the complex so that in many places wall footings rarely survive beyond a base layer of cobbles. The general layout of the site, however, with some construction phases, can be suggested. There is evidence of landscaping towards the Ebbsfleet, a plank revetment was found nearby, and around the complex a number of intercutting ditches and one possible beamslot were found containing a large quantity of Roman building debris and pottery dating to the 1st - 2nd century AD. A single late iron age/Roman cermation urn was found. The excavation report does not record any further information on this burial so it is difficult assess whether this is supporting evidence of a pre-villa site or not. (11)

The earliest stone-built villa on the site was constructed in the early 2nd century over an earlier Roman site (TQ 67 SW 297). Associated with the villa were a substantial lime-kiln, either contemporay or pre-dating the villa, two large aisled buildings, a bath-house (TQ 67 SW 1423), a substantial river-side wharf, arranged around a courtyard. Occupation continued, at what level is unclear, into the 4th century. (12)

In 2002 timbers from the wharf/quay were recovered along with parts of the nearby early medieval water mill (TQ 67 SW 298) to Chatham Historic Dockyard for recording, cleaning and preservation. Several of the timbers had been reused in the quay including wall studs. This is similar to finds made in London. (13)

A rare wooden plane tool was found in layers above the Roman waterfront (14). A rare Hod Hill bow brooch was found. A Langdon Hill bow brooch and three two-piece Colchester brooches wre also discovered at the villa site. (15)

<1> Arch. Cant. 18,1889,313,307, No.47 (F.C.J. Spurrell) (OS Card Reference). SKE36980.

<2> W.H Steadman, 1913, "Excavations on a Roman site at Northfleet" 1913 (W H Steadman) (OS Card Reference). SKE32617.

<3> V.C.H. Kent 3 1932, 128 (R. F. Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE50732.

<4> V.C.H. Kent 3,1932, 122 (M.V. Taylor) (OS Card Reference). SKE50749.

<5> F1 ASP 16-OCT-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42141.

<6> Field report for monument TQ 67 SW 38 - October, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3666.

<7> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1995 Feb, South Thames-Side Development Route IV (Unpublished document). SWX6940.

<8> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1997, The Ebbsfleet Valley, Northfleet, Kent: ARC EFT 97: Archaeological Evaluation: Volume 1 Report (Unpublished document). SKE12220.

<9> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1997, The Ebbsfleet Valley, Northfleet Kent, ARC EFT 97: Archaeological Evalaution: Volume 2 Appendices (Unpublished document). SKE12221.

<10> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1997, The Ebbsfleet Valley, Northfleet, Kent: ARC EFT 97: Archaeological Evaluation: Volume 3 Figures and Plates (Unpublished document). SKE12222.

<11> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 2001, Channel Tunnel Rail Link Ebbsfleet Sports Ground, Northfleet, ARC ESG00, Phase 2 Evaluation Archaeological Works Fieldwork Report Final (Unpublished document). SKE12227.

<12> Oxford Archaeology, 2003, Ebbsfleet Valley Detailed Mitigation Works, Northfleet, Kent: Interim Statement (Unpublished document). SKE12256.

<13> Rail Link Engineering, 2003, CTRL SECTION 2: ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAMME EBBSFLEET MILL - PROVISIONAL REPORT ON THE RECORDING, SAMPLING AND CLEANING OF THE ANGLO-SAXON AND ROMAN TIMBERS (Unpublished document). SKE12258.

<14> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 4: Saxon and Later Finds and Environmental Reports (Monograph). SKE32437.

<15> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 2: Late Iron Age to Roman Finds Reports (Monograph). SKE32435.