During evaluation work prior to the construction of a car showroom, the remains of a prehistoric building and associated occupation material were found. Part of the buildings west wall and east-west aligned partion, along with possible roof collapse were recovered. The remains measured 8.5m north-south and 4.5m east-west. It seems that the building was constructed following the regression or river water sometime in the late bronze age, or more probably the arly to mid iron age. When fluvial conditions returned the building was abandoned. The remains had been preserved in anaerobic conditions, but with modern drainage the site's environmantal information is under threat.(1)

This site is very close to a Romano-British ditch and gulley (TQ 57 SW 191)(2).

Due to the evidence found in 1994 and Feb 1998 it was decided to open a full excavtion of the site. This revealed a different interpretation of the site. Although pit and ditch features were found there was no evidence to support the idea of an occupation site, but one must have been close by. The early features date from the bronze age, with pottery recovered, including boss-decorated pot sherds, from deposits dated to the late bronze age which bore out radiocarbon dating of certain deposits.

A number of interesting finds were recovered during the excavation. A sample taken from a discrete dump of material within a context contained mainly spelt wheat (Tritcum spelta). This is of national importance due to its rarity during this period as it was more common on the continent. Another rare find were fragments of two copper-alloy pins with simple splayed and looped heads from La Tene Period 3. These are very rare examples and possible votive offerings.

The majority of the pottery assemblage dated from the late bronze age or late bronze age/early iron age. This included boss-decorated (Deverel-Rimbury) and comb-decorated pottery and part of a small tub with a skin of basal grits, a transitional period manufacturing technique from the Thames Valley.

Limited quantities of bone were found. Cattle was the most numerous and fish bones were found within some ditches.(3)

<1> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1994, Land at Lowfield St. Dartford, Land at Lowfield St: Evaluation report, KARU, 1994. (Unpublished document). SKE11949.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, Princes Road, Dartford, Post-excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE11950.

<3> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1998, Princes Road: Dartford, Post-Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE11959.

<4> Canterbury Archaeological Report, 1998, Princes Road, Dartford, a stratigrapic report (Unpublished document). SKE57590.