In c.2000 Archaeology South-East carried out a watching brief and excavated features found during this at Lydd 12, Lydd Quarry. An extensive area of Iron Age salt working was discovered. At least 129 settling tanks were found. They were typically circular with a bowl-shaped base c.0.9m-2.2m in diameter and up to 0.5m deep. Many had been lined with clay. 29 features were probably hearths/boiling pits, these were oval bowl-shaped and measured c.0.8m-1.2m long and up to 0.3m deep. Parts of the pedestals or bases that would have supported the vessels being heated within the pits were found. A kiln was identified and was probably used in the production of the salt manufacturing ceramic material. Nine spreads of briquetage with Late Iron Age pottery were found on the surface of the shingle. Domestic refuse was found, suggesting that the salt workers were living on the site during the working season. 32 post holes were found, some with surviving elements of the original timbers. No discernable pattern existed amongst these post holes. Other features from the site included nine pits, a gully and two ditches, all with Late Iron Age pottery and often pieces of briquetage.

During subsequent gravel extraction on the site, at least 30 shale objects were found within the gravels. These are the raw material or blanks from which shale bracelets were produced. It is likely that they are of similar date and possibly represent incoming traded goods exchanged for salt.

The pottery from the features largely dated to the period 75 BC to AD 50. It was mostly grog-tempered wares, frequently of crude manufacture. Jars with simple bead or out-turned rims and ‘slack’ body profiles dominate. There are some sand-tempered wares. There are also some finer pieces, including some burnished examples and some decorated with incised arcading on the shoulder. Some of this material is from East Sussex and others from the Folkestone area, suggesting that this site was a point of trade/contact for two cultural regions. (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2006, Post-Excavation Assessment & Project Design for Publication, Brett's Lydd Quarry, Kent, parts 12, 13-14 & 15 (Unpublished document). SKE12925.