Little is known about the early Saxon period at Dartford and only a limited amount of archaeological evidence has so far been found in and around the town. A probable occupation site has been discovered next to the river Darent 500m north-east of the parish church but no structures were identified although there was an occupation deposit containing domestic rubbish, hand-made pottery and a seventh century bone pin/needle. By the late Saxon period, Dartford was part of a royal estate, and with Sutton-at-Hone it had eight small and three large dens in the Weald. It may have developed into a market town before the middle of the eleventh century, for it had much potential. For example, it was probably the economic centre of the royal estate, its position at the crossing of the river Darent provided excellent communications, and it was an ecclesiastical centre.