Monument record TQ 94 NW 53 - Late Iron Age/early Romano-British enclosure and field system, Brett's Gravel Pit, Charing

Summary

A late Iron Age/early Romano-British farmstead, with central ditched enclosure and evidence of granary structures was found during archaeological investigations by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU) in advance of gravel extraction works. Associated with the settlement was a field system, a possible droveway and a cremation cemetery.

Location

Grid reference TQ 9355 4908 (point) Centred on
Map sheet TQ94NW
County KENT
District ASHFORD, KENT
Civil Parish CHARING, ASHFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (10)

Full Description

Excavation by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU) in advance of gravel extraction by Brett Gravel Ltd, extending their workings at Charing, revealed parts of two enclosures originating in the late pre-conquest iron age. One, on the western side of the excavation site, forming part of a long single curving ditch and the other two ditches, to the east, forming the corner of either a square or rectangular enclosure. Presumably these features related to one another, only 20 metres apart, forming part of a farmstead settlement. Domestic rubbish, in the form of pottery, was recovered from the fill of these ditches. The pottery (date range 10/25 AD to 75/100AD), was mostly of native grog-tempered ware but included sherds of Romanised sandy ware suggesting that the ditches could not have been completely filled in before the second half of the second century AD. Three cremation burials were inserted in the corner of the rectangular or square enclosure in the later second century. (TQ 94 NW 31). A late neolithic axehead was recovered from the fill of one of the ditches (TQ 94 NW 52). (1)

Extension to the works in 1992 led to excavation again by KARU centred on TQ 935 491. A settlement site dating from 50 BC-AD 150 was discovered, features consisting of 14 post holes, 64 ditches, 55 gullies 30-100 pits and the remains of two 1st century cremation burials. The larger ditches form 2 groups, those running east-west seem to be part of a field-system with a possible central track, the north-south group seem to define possible tracks or droveways. These seem to lead from possible circular or oval enclosures to the south-east. The post-holes could represent 2 structures and a possible gateway. The pits are scattered unevenly along the length of the site. The two cremation burials were found at the south end of the site and have been substantially damaged by plough so much so that only the bottom halve remain. They are ten metres apart and approximately 80m south-west of the mid 2nd century burials found in 1989 (TQ 94 NW 31). The site, in general has been severely ploughed down over time. Sherds from at least 40 vessels were found in the site dating to between 50 BC – 150AD. These were mainly native ware with a few samian wares. Two brooches were found. An late iron age brooch of iron form a ditch fill and a bronze Colchester BB style brooch from an un-stratified surface.(2)

KARU again excavated still further to the north-west in 1995. They found 147 more features although some related to those already excavated in 1992 and 1989. More enclosures, ditches, gullies, pits, post-holes and possible field systems were found. The main feature found in 1995 appears to be a triangular ditched enclosure 40 m by 10-32m. The enclosed area contained a large hearth at the east end with its own ditched compound. In the west end of the site nearly 20 flint-packed post holes were found suggesting a 4-post structure and four 2-post structures possibly above ground granaries. Two parallel ditches to the north seem to create an outer enclosure. Pottery from about 50 different vessels were found as domestic rubbish from the fill of the ditches. Wares included decorated native wares, Gallo-Belgic imports and Romanised types dating to between 50BC to no later than 100AD. No bone was found, presumably due to the acidic nature of the soil, but a bronze brooch dating to the end of the first century AD was recovered from a ditch as well.(3)

The site has been cut by later medieval features (TQ 94 NW 55 & 56) and destroyed by sand extraction.


<1> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1990, Charing, Near Ashford: Excavation of Iron Age and Romano-British Farmstead Sites at Bretts Sandpit, 1989 (Unpublished document). SKE12200.

<2> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1992, Excavations at Brett's Sand Pit Charing 1992 draft report (Unpublished document). SKE6782.

<3> Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1997, Charing 1995: Excavations at Bretts Sand Pit III. Draft Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE12201.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. 1990. Charing, Near Ashford: Excavation of Iron Age and Romano-British Farmstead Sites at Bretts Sandpit, 1989.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. 1992. Excavations at Brett's Sand Pit Charing 1992 draft report.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. 1997. Charing 1995: Excavations at Bretts Sand Pit III. Draft Assessment Report.

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (5)

  • Intrusive Event: Brett's Charing Sand Pit watching brief, 1999 (Ref: 806) (EKE5402)
  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation at Brett Sand Pits, Charing (EKE4661)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at Brett's Sand Pit, Charing - 1995 (EKE8511)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavations at Brett's Sand Pit, Charing 1992 (Ref: 1992/81) (EKE5003)
  • Intrusive Event: Watching brief at Brett's Sand Pit, Charing - 1995 (EKE8512)

Record last edited

Oct 22 2024 10:29AM