Monument record TQ 57 SW 239 - Extraction Pit, Dartford Heath

Summary

The largest of three sand and gravel quarries situated within Dartford Heath, to the south-west of Dartford. No industrial structures or evidence of a more mechanised extractive process survive within the quarry. The site, in a smaller state, is shown on the 1st edition of the OS map. A remarkable series of regularly spaced linear banks, crossing the quarry floor on an east-west alignment and bisected by two roughly perpendicular tracks, are the remains of 19th century extraction. They date to at least the last quarter of the 19th century and first appear on the second edition OS maps (1890s). The spoil tips/banks, locally referred to as ‘Glory Bumps’, all lie within the extent of the quarry, measure c.2-2.5m high, are spaced c. 2-2.5m apart and are made up from a relatively compact mixture of calcious material with clay and sand. The history and function of these regular earthworks remain inconclusive, with local suggestions of WWI trench warfare practise sites (which may have happened) or of brick-earth extraction (unlikely). However, a suggestion, based on their soil make- up and the assumption that they were probably excavated by hand, is that the banks comprise discarded lower quality mixed capping material removed in strips to gain access to the superficial higher quality Boyn Hill gravels (c.18 inch seam) below. The spoil and waste from the excavations were piled up to one side of the strip and the process repeated across the quarry floor, resulting in the regular linear banks that remain. Following this method of strip excavation, the banks of spoil were left and the quarry abandoned.

Location

Grid reference TQ 5249 7320 (point) Estimated from sources
Map sheet TQ57SW
County KENT
District DARTFORD, KENT
Civil Parish DARTFORD, DARTFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> Essex County Council, 2003, Aggregates Levy Survey Industrial Sites, KN708 & 729 (Unpublished document). SKE12009.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Essex County Council. 2003. Aggregates Levy Survey Industrial Sites. KN708 & 729.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Aggregates Levy Survey: Industrial Sites (EKE8258)

Record last edited

Jan 23 2024 9:21AM