Evaluation in advance of the construction of a facility relating to Brett Waste Management exposed structual remains of a LIA-Roman occupation site. Two groups of features found were consistant with the possible remains of structures, perhaps huts. They were made up clusters of 8 post holes, dia 0.11 - 0.32m, with each group seemingly associated with gully features. One group was next to a curved feature described tentatively as a possible eaves or drip gully.

Roman period buildings survived in the form of foundations and linear rubble spreads including rubble-filled beam slots and may have been in two phases. The quanity of building materials suggest that a fairly substantial building exists in the vicinity with tiled floors and roof. However, the main structure, so far identifed is not large enough to contain an extensive hypocaust system, so it is possible that the building is more complex than the evaulation has identified. The substantial foundations suggest that a strongly-built structure measuring 8.9m by 10.5m was the principal building within the farm complex. The remains suggest a prosperous farmstead, although rustic in nature as a metal detector survey of the site failed to locatge any coins or other bronze objects.

Also present was an associated hollow way later converted into a metalled path with a fence running along its eastern edge.

Finds inculded brick, floor tile, roof tile and pottery shrds. Although the ceramic assemblage is fairly small in terms of quantity it does show a variety of imported wares. Wares found include: Native Coarseware, Central Gaulish Samian, Upchurch, Black-Burnished, and Alicwe Holt Ware and Oxford "Parchment" ware.(1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, Eval Shelford Farm Estate, Canterbury (Unpublished document). SKE7698.