In 2002 the Trust for Thanet Archaeology carried out an evaluation at Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs. (1) In 2006 a second phase of evaluation was carried out (2), followed by excavation and a watching brief on subsequent building works on the site (3-4). These investigations found a several phases of activity represented by the archaeological features. These date from the Late Iron Age and into the Roman period, with the latest phase of activity dating to the late 3rd century AD.

Several narrow linear features on the western side of the excavation area possibly form the south western right angle of a rectangular ditched enclosure, and are the earliest Roman features at this site. In general, the linear cut had sloping profiles with narrow flat bases but one was almost vertically sided. Little dating evidence was found alongside these ditches the small amount of pottery recovered had a potential date range that spanned the late 1st to early 3rd century. Taking into consideration the dating evidence from later activity and the multiple phases of recutting of the enclosure ditch, it is reasonable to suggest that the enclosure had been established in the early years of the Romano British period, possibly establishing a compound around a building or forming a field boundary.

Several large pits cut into the natural chalk post date this enclosure and represent a phase of quarrying activity on the site. The quarries truncated the earlier enclosure, suggesting that it had been abandoned. The pits were relatively regular, usually sub rectangular in plan with steep sides and a flat or undulating base. The dimensions of the pits varied from around 2m square to over 10m in length and probably of a similar width. All the pits were cut into the upper chalk and it is likely therefore that these quarries were for chalk extraction, perhaps for use in slaking in a limekiln. The outlying pit observed at the northwestern extreme of the site suggests that the quarrying took place over a wide area, possibly in a linear sequence running parallel with the route of ancient Sowell street, and the chalk may have been extracted as a surfacing material in the route was used in the Roman period. Dating evidence indicate a later 2nd century date.

A period of use of this site following the excavation of the quarry pits is represented by a series of structures and cut features. The features of this phase produced more abundant pottery and other finds as well as ceramic building material and building stone and it was likely the most intensive period of use. It is possible that the features were associated with a major Romanised building somewhere in the immediate vicinity. They comprised a short stretch of flint cobble wall foundation in the extreme southwest of the site. This had been covered by a demolition deposit containing finds of a later 2nd and 3rd century date. A series of intercutting pits also date to this phase of use, these contained abundant pottery sherds and Roman CBM (tegulae) which dated to the 3rd century. A possible cellared element to a lost timber building was identified in the open area excavation, it comprised a large rectangular pit measuring 10m by 5m which truncated the upper fills of the earlier quarry pits. No structural features were identified to confirm this interpretation and it may be that this pit may represent another large quarry. A ditch cut and refuse pit were also dated to this phase, again containing pottery dating to the 3rd century. There is evidence of grain processing debris in the environmental samples along with a large fragment of a mill stone. This indicates production and processing possibly on an industrial level, possibly for trade.

Following this period a few features were cut, including a ditch and a refuse pit which appear to date to the late 3rd century, but activity appears to decline in the later Roman period.
(4-5)

<1> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2002, Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs, Kent: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE17459.

<2> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2006, Proposed Residential Development, Land at Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs, Kent: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE17460.

<3> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2007, Proposed Residential Development, Land at Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs, Kent: Interim Excavation Report (Unpublished document). SKE12967.

<4> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2006, Proposed Residential Development, Land at Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs, Kent: Archaeological Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE24836.

<5> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2007, Excavations at Upton House, Vale Road, Broadstairs, Kent: Archaeological Report (Unpublished document). SKE17461.