Monument record TQ 87 SE 27 - Site of Roman kiln, Samian sherds and C1st vessels, Burntwick Island

Mid 1st c Romano-British sherds found in May 1962 by Mr Pattison in an area approximately centred TQ 85787169 (1). A concentration of Kiln debris and wasters is visible along the foreshore of the Lower Strayway and below the sea wall in the area centred at TQ 85817169; a few Samian sherds were also found. (2) Gray recovered from this area, 1948-52, many Roman vessels including two 1st c carinated urns (Richboro 292), a necked jar and a butt beaker; all now in the BM.(a) (3) (TQ 85807169) Roman Pottery Kiln [R] (site of) [NAT] (4). Area centred TQ 85817169. Concentration of kiln debris and wasters observed on the north side of Sharfleet Creek (information as Auths 1-3). Probable pottery kiln in the vicinity, dating from 1st-2nd century. Now destroyed? Also possible settlement site nearby (5). Additional references (6,7). For site in context with others in inter-tidal zone, see (8). No visible remains Romano-British pottery and briquetage seen across foreshore in association with animal bone indicating salt manufacture butchery.

No evidence of a kiln was found at this location during the 2004 survey, rather the site is representative of a salt manufacturing and animal butchery site in association with Upchurch and Thameside Roman pottery. Evidence of cheese manufacture in the general area can be conjectured from the available evidence at Burntwick, for fragments of Romano-British strainers were noted on-site and sherds of cheese presses have been found in the vicinity. (9)

<1> Maidstone Mus 6" (D Kelly Arch Asst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46272.

<2> F1 CFW 14-AUG-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42567.

<3> Oral Sgn Cdr P H Ker Gray, Haselmere (OS Card Reference). SKE47985.

<4> F1 CFW 10-NOV-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42517.

<5> OS 1:10000 1972 (OS Card Reference). SKE48157.

<6> Pottery Kilns of Ro Brit RCHME Supp Ser 5 1984 418 (VG Swan) (OS Card Reference). SKE48559.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 87 SE 27 - November, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4678.

<8> Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, 1994, Inter-tidal archaeology in Kent, p27-8 (Unpublished document). SWX9353.

<9> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report (Unpublished document). SWX12121.