Monument record TR 04 SW 372 - Late Iron Age/Romano-British features at Boys Hall balancing pond

Oxford Archaeological Unit (OAU) was commissioned by Union Railways (South) Ltd (URS) to undertake a strip, map and sample excavation at the site of Boys Hall Balancing Pond, adjacent to Boys Hall Moat, Sevington, near Ashford, Kent. This work was conducted between 26th April and 14th May 1999 as part of a programme of archaeological investigation along the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

An east/west aligned ditch discovered in the south-west corner of the site contained 64 sherds of late Iron Age/early Romano-British pottery. A gully running parallel to the south and two shallow ditches running parallel to the north, all produced contemporary material though in smaller quantities (9 sherds, 2 sherds and 10 sherds respectively). Two shallow scoops of uncertain function were cut by these linear features but contained the same type of pottery.

A smaller cluster of shallow, charcoal-rich pits in the south east corner of the site contained the remains of at least four in situ cremation burials within the late Iron Age/early Romano-British pots, though these were much truncated by later ploughing. In addition to the cremation urn, one of these features contained several other smashed pots apparently representing grave goods.

Two large north-east/south-west aligned ditches which ran continuously through the west half of the site were cut through a buried soil horizon which overlay the Iron Age/Romano-British features. The only finds recovered from these features consisted of a few small fragments of post-medieval tile and glass. These two ditches, and a cobbled surface which appeared to be contemporary with this later period of activity, were almost certainly associated with the adjacent former medieval manor house or later post-medieval garden (Boys Hall Moat Sheduled Ancient Monument, Kent SAM 146). A small number of further ditches and gullies located in the northern half of the site were undated, but also appeared most likely to be medieval or post-medieval in date. (1)

(See TR 34 SW 601)

Additional bibliography. (2)

Description from record TR 04 SW 372:
Excavation east of Boys Hall prior to construction of a balancing pond associated with the CTRL found evidence for Late Bronze Age to post medieval activity.

Late Iron Age / Roman ditches, possibly defining a trackway or a shifting boundary. A cluster of 5 cremations: 1 containing pottery of the Late Iron Age / Early Roman period; 3 containing pottery of the later Roman period; 1 containing no dating evidence but associated with the later cremations. (1)

Additional bibliography. (2)

See also TR 04 SW 600

<1> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1999, Boys Hall Balancing Pond, Sevington, Kent ARC BHB 99 (Unpublished document). SKE6945.

<1> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 2000, Boys Hall Balancing Pond Post Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE16419.

<2> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1999, Boys Hall Balancing Pond, Sevington, Kent ARC BHB 99 (Unpublished document). SKE6945.

<2> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 2000, Boys Hall Balancing Pond Post Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE16419.