A watching brief on a water pipeline construction project between the Hoo Wastewater Treatment Works and Whitewall Creek, revealed two well defined clusters of archaeological features (Areas A and B). Late bronze age features were recorded in both of the archaeological clusters identified. In the larger eastern cluster (Area A: centred on TQ78287170), a couple of linears, a large amorphous feature and a number of pits were recorded. The linears both ran north-south across the width of the trench. The linear at the eastern end of the area, appeared to turn slightly to the north east at the northern edge of the trench. The amorphous feature was between 6 and 9m wide and up to 0.78m deep. It extended across the width of the easement and was cut on its western side by one of the linears, which was in turn cut by a pit. The amorphous feature produced a substantial assemblage of late bronze age pottery, together with fragments of a briquetage vessel and a number of fragments of perforated clay tablets. One of the isolated pits recorded produced quantities of charred grain, with pea and bean fragments, suggesting a primary storage function for the pit which was reused for the disposal of domestic debris, including fired clay fragments of possible structural origin.
In Area B (centred on TQ77867164), two further pits were recorded, which produced large assemblages of late bronze age pottery and further fragments of perforated clay tablets.
The presence of the briquetage vessel and the fragments of perforated clay tablets in association with the large quantities of burnt flint may be related to salt production, or alternatively they may be related to cooking activities. Similar clay tablets found on a number of bronze age sites in the Thames Valley, have been interpreted as being used in the salt making process, in pottery manufacture or for cooking.

This phase of activity was dated mainly on the basis of pottery, 482 sherds (or 499 depending on which report you read!) of which have been dated to the late bronze age period. It is noted in the assessment report that there are similarities between late bronze age and iron age pottery fabrics in this area and inferred that some of the late bronze age pottery maybe of later date (although the report also states that the integrity of the assemblage is not in doubt).

The perimeters of the archaeology are given in the grid refs on the main monument form.

Romano British (TQ 77 SE 164) and Saxon (TQ 77 SE 165) phases of activity were also recorded [1 and 2].

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2000, Hoo St. Werburgh WTW and Transfer Pipeline, Kent. Archaeological Watching Brief and Recording Action. Assessment Report. (Unpublished document). SWX7254.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2001, Late Bronze Age, Romano-British and Early/Middle Saxon Features at Hoo St. Werburgh, Kent. Draft Report. (Unpublished document). SKE12302.