Initial assessment of the results of an archaeological evaluation of three areas, at Herne Bay High School. In the area of the proposed car park a number of archaeological features were observed. The main feature was a probable prehistoric trackway or hollow way, mapped on the east side of Bullockstone Road during previous archaeological works. Other features observed included pits of various size (some located along the edge of the trackway) and a number of linears, all dated from spot finds of prehistoric pottery. In the two other areas examined, no archaeological features were observed. The exposed archaeological features were covered in geotextile and the site backfilled to preserve them in situ. A number of modern features were also observed. The features are almost certainly a continuation of the extensive settlement mapped by Canterbury Archaeological Trust on the east side of Bullockstone Road (see TR 16 NE 85, 86, 87) [1].
A watching brief on groundworks associated with the construction of a soakaway at the High School. No archaeological finds or features were observed in the northern half of the soakaway, the report suggests that any deposits had been removed during landscaping and scouring of the area associated with the construction of the school. In the southern half, a portion of late bronze age/early iron age ditch, or large pit? was recorded. There was no trace of the hollow way exposed in the 1999 evaluation (see 1) and previous archaeological works east of Bullockstone Road, although the report suggests that as in the northern half, the majority of deposits exposed along the southern half of the soakaway have been removed by previous modern landscaping/construction activity [2].
Further evaluation work undertaken at the High School in 2000. A trench and test pit were dug in each of two areas. Archaeology was recorded in both trenches and possibly one of the test pits. One trench contained a single linear, the other a linear and two pits. All the features were dated to the early/middle to late iron age, on the basis of ceramic evidence. Most of the features also contained daub. Residual bronze age material was also recovered from the features, including a barb and tanged arrowhead [3].
An evaluation of the proposed area for an All Weather Pitch for the High School, in february 2000, revealed the profuse presence of late iron age/early Roman features-TR 16 NE 88- (a continuation of the multi period archaeology recorded east of Bullockstone Road-see TR 16 NE 85, 86, 87). Some of the flint tempered pottery recovered maybe of Bronze age date [4].
Excavation work on the site of the All Weather Pitch, revealed further iron age/early Roman features (TR 16 NE 88). A number of residual struck flints were found in these later features, suggesting an earlier prehistoric (Neolithic?) presence in this area (see TR 16 NE 91). Again, large amounts of abraded flint tempered pottery (bronze age?) were also found in the late iron age/early Roman features (see above). A small number of later Roman and medieval features were also identified (TR 16 NE 89 and 90) [5&6].
Further evaluation trenching in 2002 may have revealed the edge of the trackway (see above 1) in one of the trenches. The feature had been heavily truncated by later backfill/landfill. In this report the trackway is dated to the late iron age/Romano-British period? A final report on the excavations at the High School is due to be published at some point in Arch Cant, this may clear up this phasing problem [7].
A watching brief in late 2002 in the area surrounding the trench where a continuation of the ?trackway was found (see 7), observed no archaeological finds or features [8].
NB: THE PHASING OF VARIOUS FEATURES RECORDED ON THIS SITE HAS CHANGED THROUGH THE REPORT PROCESS. HOPEFULLY THE FINAL ARTICLE DUE TO APPEAR IN ARCH CANT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WILL ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS.

<1> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 1999, Herne Bay High School, Bullockstone Road: Initial assessment of an initial evaluation. (Unpublished document). SKE12754.

<2> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2000, Herne Bay High School, Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay, Kent. Archaeological Monitoring and Recording (Unpublished document). SKE12752.

<3> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2000, Block N, Herne Bay High School, Herne Bay, Kent. An Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE12755.

<4> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2000, Herne Bay High School, Herne Bay, Kent. New All Weather Pitch. An Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE12770.

<5> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2001, Herne Bay High School, Herne Bay, Kent. New All Weather Pitch. An Archaeological Excavation (Unpublished document). SKE12771.

<6> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2001, An archaeological assessment and updated project design for the publication of Excavations at Herne Bay High School, Herne Bay, Kent, 2001 (Unpublished document). SKE12772.

<7> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2002, Herne Bay High School, Herne Bay, Kent. Proposed New Build- Resource & Sixth Form Area (O-Block), New Fitness Room, Gymnasium and Sports Extension & Associated External Works. An Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE12775.

<8> Hertfordshire Archaeological Trust, 2002, Herne Bay High School, Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay, Kent. Resource & Sixth Form Building (O Block). Archaeological Monitoring and Recording (Unpublished document). SKE12750.