Monument record TQ 77 NW 5 - Unidentified mound, near Wharf Farm, Cliffe

Summary

The earthwork remains of a small oval mound measuring 8m x 16m which may be an example of the stock refuge mounds constructed in the 19th century or earlier on low-lying pasture within the marshlands of the Hoo Peninsula and the margins of the Thames Estuary. This mound was recorded as a one of a group of eight within a single Monument record : 416625, linked to a number of Roman finds and the sites of possible Roman pottery kilns in the vicinity. However, studies on the occurrence of mounds and the rates of sediment build up since the Roman period in the marshes within the Hoo Peninsula indicates that the Roman finds and structures here would be up to a metre below the current ground surface. These mounds appear to lie above the post medieval ridge and furrow thought to be part of the land improvement undertaken here.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 741 769 (21m by 21m)
Map sheet TQ77NW
County KENT
Civil Parish CLIFFE AND CLIFFE WOODS, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

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Full Description

Quantities of burnt brick and potsherds were exposed when a low mound of black earth was removed about 1956 on Wharf Farm, Cliffe, at TQ 74217698 ('A') The site is now a shallow depression, but a slight scatter of burnt clay was visible in 1959. None of the pottery was retained.

A number of similar mounds in the vicinity (B-H centred TQ 744771) average about 15. 0m.by 10.0m and 1.0 m in height. Evans was informed that the field to the NE, centred TQ 744772, was strewn with 'Roman potsherds' but none have been preserved, and none were found during field investigation.

The presence, nearby, of a Roman cremation group (see TQ 77 NW 4), and the finds of supposed Roman sherds, suggests that this was probably the site of a Roman Kiln; The association of kilns with burials is fairly common in this region.(see TQ 77 NW 1067).

References include: OS Card/NAR entries (1-8), relevant references in field reports (8,9) and ite photographs (10-12).


<1> Mr L C Batchelor Wharf Farm Cliffe (OS Card Reference). SKE47397.

<2> Cant 6' (JH Evans July 1951) (OS Card Reference). SKE38485.

<3> E Geary (FI) 25-JUN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE41520.

<4> F1 FGA 10-NOV-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42911.

<5> Inf:RF Hutchings Schoolmaster Courtsole Farm Cliffe (OS Card Reference). SKE44442.

<6> Oral: RF Hutchings (OS Card Reference). SKE48089.

<7> F2 ASP 15-AUG-66 (OS Card Reference). SKE43114.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 77 NW 5 - November, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4217.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 77 NW 5 - August, 1966 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4218.

<10> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9443.

<11> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9448.

<12> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9863.

Sources/Archives (12)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: Mr L C Batchelor Wharf Farm Cliffe.
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Cant 6' (JH Evans July 1951).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: E Geary (FI) 25-JUN-59.
  • <4> OS Card Reference: F1 FGA 10-NOV-64.
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Inf:RF Hutchings Schoolmaster Courtsole Farm Cliffe.
  • <6> OS Card Reference: Oral: RF Hutchings.
  • <7> OS Card Reference: F2 ASP 15-AUG-66.
  • <8> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 77 NW 5 - November, 1964.
  • <9> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 77 NW 5 - August, 1966.
  • <10> Photograph (Print): 1946. Photograph. 4054. print.
  • <11> Photograph (Print): 1946. Photograph. 4068. print.
  • <12> Photograph (Print): 1947. Photograph. 4057. print.

Finds (2)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: WHARFE FARM (Ref: EI 15581) (EKE4375)

Record last edited

Sep 24 2025 3:35PM