During evaluation work prior to development of the site an evaluation excvation was undertaken. Part of the Romano-British cemetrey to the west (TQ 57 SW 9) was found along with a substantial ditch. Aligned nw-se it was 2.2m wide and 2.3m deep with steeply cut sides and a 0.8m wide flat base. Within this feature an interface representing a weathered horizon or recut was U shaped at the upper part which narrowed to a steeply sided V-shaped profile. A late bronze age/early iron age pot sherd from a flint-tempered jar (1000BC - 400BC) and burnt flint were recovered from this fill. The scale of the ditch may suggest a defended enclosure on this hilltop either in the form of a square-cut ditch or a palisade trench. It's direction might suggest it continued north-west.(1)

Further evaluation work in 2005 uncovered part of a possible pit or ditch tentitively dated to the late bronze age from one small sherd of pottery. If correct then this probably relates to the enclosure site.(2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2002, Evaluation at East Hill House, East Hill, Dartford, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE11955.

<2> CgMs Consulting, Archaeological Evaluation Report on Land at East Hill House East Hill & Sterndale Road Dartford, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE12497.