Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Union Railways (South) Ltd (URS) to carry out an archaeological evaluation of a site on Sandway Road, between the villages of Harrietsham to the north-west and Sandway to the south-east (centred on NGR TQ 88000 51500). Along with evidence of Bronze Age and Neolithic activity, a recognisable Mesolithic/Neolithic component within the work flint found was noticed. (1)

During the course of an excavation, the follow up to an earlier evaluation, two large scatters of early flintwork (ie: mesolithic) were found within the eastern plot of the excavation area. Detailed investigations revealed a c. 0.1m thick possible palaeosol, containing large quantities of mesolithic worked flint, at the base of a colluvial sequence, and a c. 2.5m diameter and 0.2m deep shallow sub-circular feature. This feature contained very large quantity of similar flintwork. A smaller pit and a feature of indeterminate function, possibly a hearth from charcoal found, were also dated to this period. Elements of the mesolithic assemblage appear to be diagnostically early neolithic in origin and the possibility exists that there may be a transition between the two periods at the site particularly with the other neolithic evidence at the site. A sample take from the flint assemblage produced 48 identified tools, including 26 points (all microliths) 2 scrapers and 4 piercers. In addition there were 90 artefacts directly relating to tool production. The laminar assemblage (complete blades and flakes) has a blade:flake ratio of c.1:4. This approximates ratios for later mesolithic assemblages in Britain. (2-7)

(See also TQ 85 SE 131, 140 & 141)

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 1999, Archaeological Evaluation at Sandway Road, Harrietsham ARC SWR98 Final Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE6990.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 1999, Channel Tunnel Rail Link Archaeological Excavation at Sandway Road Interim Excavation Report. (Unpublished document). SKE6994.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 1999, Excavation at Sandway Road Method Statement for the Investigation of Mesolithic Remains (Unpublished document). SKE6991.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2001, Sandway Road Detailed Archaeological Works Assessment Report Final (Unpublished document). SKE16535.

<5> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic Landscape at Sandway Road, Lenham, Kent: CTRL Integrated Site Report Series (Unpublished document). SKE16536.

<6> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2005, The Early Prehistoric Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16485.

<7> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, Radiocarbon dates from Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16490.