An Anglo-Saxon enclosure ditch was found during an evaluation carried out by Wessex Archaeology in 2007. (1)

The area was subsequently fully excavated in 2007 by Wessex Archaeology. The enclosure ditch was 1.5m wide and up to 0.7m deep. One section showed evidence of re-cutting but this was not seen elsewhere along the ditch. The enclosure extended under the A289 to the east but the exposed area was c.120m x c.30m in a playing card shape (i.e. with rounded corners). The ditch contained pottery dating to the Early Middle and late Saxon periods, fragments of glass, bone combs, lava querns, numerous iron tools, a pair of copper alloy tweezers and six silver Sceattas. There was also a button brooch decorated with a highly stylised human face surrounded by a circular border of punchmarks. This all suggests higher status settlement in the vicinity. Residual material, including a 3rd century disc brooch, with ten semi-circular projections and concentric circles of coloured enamel between metal divisions, was also found in the ditch.

Within the enclosure there was a sunken featured building (grubenhaus) in the north-western corner. It was 3.2m long, 2.4m wide and 0.1m deep. There were two large postholes, one at the east and the other at the western end of the building, and two smaller ones within the hollow, probably forming the roof supports for the structure. 53 sherds of organic-tempered Early Middle Saxon pottery, fragments from several loom weights, animal bones, worked flints and metal scraps were found within the hollow.

To the west of the sunken featured building there were two pits, both oval and one was 1.8m by 1.5m whilst the other was 2.3m by 1.8m, both were c. 1.3m deep. The larger contained nearly 1kg of iron slag as well as animal bones and iron nails. (2)

These excavations are collated and summarised in a January 2015 'Publication Report' by CgMs. The report makes concluding interpretations of the different phases of occupation at the site but these are far too detailed to summarise here. See Source Ref for further information. (3)

<1> CgMs Consulting, 2007, An archaeological evaluation report: Land at Hoo Road, Wainscott, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE12946.

<2> CgMs Consulting, 2009, Post-Excavation Assessment Report and Updated Project Design for Analysis and Publication: Hoo Road, Wainscott, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16706.

<3> CgMs Consulting, 2015, Publication Text: Prehistoric and Romano-British Activity and Anglo-Saxon Settlement: Hoo Road, Wainscott, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31283.