An evaluation of 9 trial trenches, commissioned by Union Railways ltd, was carried out by the Museum of London Archaeology Service in april 1997 at Mersham, south-east of Ashford, Kent. Archaeological features were found in 7 of the trenches.

The features were believed to represent a medieval iron smelting site and were comprised of two large pits containing quantities of iron slag, narrow ditches, slots and postholes. Two parallel ditches were aligned with the southern perimeter of the field. The ditches were noted as undulations in the ground surface and sections of both ditches were subsequently located in four trenches. The majority of features were dated to the 13th century. (1-3)
[Merged from TR 03 NE 65]

Detailed archaeological investigations were undertaken by Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd on land situated to the south of the church of St. John the Baptist, Mersham, Kent. The work was commissioned by Union Railways (South) Ltd, and formed part of an extensive programme of archaeological investigation carried out in advance of the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).

The principle discovery made during the excavation was an early medieval metalworking site. Pits backfilled with iron slag, ditches cut to bring water to the site and a southern boundary ditch, all dating to the period AD 1050-1200 (most probably AD 1050-1175), were excavated. The western boundary ditch probably also dates to this time.

A significant proportion of the early medieval features contained late Anglo-Saxon artefacts. This suggests that the origin of the industry may have lain in the period AD 850-1050. Small quantities of mid Anglo-Saxon and earlier material were also found but these are thought to be entirely residual.

Following the abandonment of the site the southern boundary ditch was retained, while a smaller, parallel, ditch was added to the north. A low-level renewal of activity appears to have taken place during the period 1475-1500, but this ended by AD 1775. Horticultural features excavated at the eastern end of the site are probably contemporary with this later activity. (4)

Following the completion of this excavation, a further evaluation was undertaken in the field immediately to the east . A continuation of the southern boundary ditch was found but no further evidence of metalworking was present. (5)

Additional bibliography. (6-11)

<1> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1998, Mersham An Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE6923.

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, Mersham, Kent: Detailed Archaeological Works Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKe6920.

<2> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1997, Mersham An Archaeological Evaluation Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE6924.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, Archaeological evaluation report. East of Mersham (Unpublished document). SKe6917.

<3> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1997, Mersham An Archaeological Evaluation Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE6926.

<4> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, Mersham, Kent: Detailed Archaeological Works Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE6920.

<5> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, Archaeological evaluation report. East of Mersham (Unpublished document). SKE6917.

<6> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Mersham: Post Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE16503.

<7> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, Medieval ironworking evidence at Mersham, Kent: CTRL Integrated Site Report Series (Unpublished document). SKE16504.

<8> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Later Prehistoric Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16486.

<9> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2005, The Medieval Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16557.

<10> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2005, The Post-Roman Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16487.

<11> Oxford Archaeology, 2003, CRTL Project Area 440 Archaeological Watching Briefs ARC 440 99 (Unpublished document). SKE16618.