Monument record TR 23 NW 268 - Later Bronze Age enclosure, Iron Age activity and Romano-British settlement at the 'Terlingham III' site, found in 2005

In 2005 an excavation was carried out at the 'Terlingham III' site where evaluation had previously taken place. A large Bronze Age enclosure, extensive Iron Age features and Romano-British settlement activity was recorded.

The Bronze Age activity consisted of a large oval enclosure, 40m in diameter. The enclosure had two entrances and contained a number of features. The excavators suggested that it may be one of a class of sites known as 'aggrandized enclosures'.

The Iron Age activity consisted mostly of pits, at a low level in the early Iron Age but more in the late Iron Age.

The most substantial activity dated to the Roman period, between the conquest in AD 43 and AD 120-150. A field system was established within a long enclosure and also contained a round house or posthole structure within a sub-square ditch. The excavators suggested that the isolated position of the structure may indicate a ritual use. Four other four-post structures were also recorded, possibly granaries, and also ovens. (1)

<1> AOC Archaeology Group, 2006, Terlingham III, Land off Gibraltar Lane, Hawkinge, Kent: a post-excavation assessment of an archaeological evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE13004.