Mesolithic material is found scattered fairly generally throughout the area of Perry Woods, and there are in particular two sites. Over 3000 pieces of worked flint have been recovered from one of these, including parts of two tranchet axes, a flake axe, a fabricator, scrapers, burins, cores, several microliths and microburins. (1) Mr Bradshaw indicated the sites on the OS 6", at TR 045555. This area lies upon the steep, wooded and bracken-covered E slopes of a hill. Investigation revealed a number of small excavations through the peat into underlying gravelly and flinty sand particularly at TR 04475550, but they are masked by dead bracken. (Site survey at 1:2500). Mr Woodcock, who retains all the finds, made during 1965-66, intends to publish excavation reports in due course. (2) Additional bibliography. (3) Mesolithic material is found fairly generally in the area of Selling and Shottenden, but two sites in particular are worthy of more detailed attention. Both lie within Perry Woods, at TR 045555 and TR 056557, where footpaths had exposed Mesolithic material on the surface. In Autumn 1964 a limited excavation was undertaken by members of the Kent Mesolithic Research Group, to obtain information about the industry itself whilst leaving the majority of the site untouched for future investigation. Site 1 [TR 045555]. In spite of recent disturbance, at least half of the site remained intact. Mesolithic artifacts were found distributed evenly, with no change in the assemblage. The finds from the site are considered to be a homogeneous industry. Site 2 [TR 056557]. Most of the Mesolithic material from this site occured as surface finds. Although lacking any strategraphical relationship, the artefacts did appear to belong to the same industry. At the present stage of research into the Mesolithic in this country it is difficult to define industries in "cultural" terms. Dating evidence is likewise difficult to obtain, but preliminary results from pollen samples taken during these excavations seem to indicate a date approximating to the Boreal/Atlantic transition. Typologically, the presence of "rods", tanged microliths, and definite inverse retouch on at least one of the microliths, all point to a date somewhere in the Atlantic period. The finds are at present in Canterbury Museum, together with a detailed record of the excavations. (4) Mesolithic implements; four blades or flakes and a scraper, found at Conduit Wood, Shottenden, TR 045550, are now in Canterbury Museum. Information from L. Millard. Mesolithic implements from Perry Woods, Selling, listed as follows: TR 045555. (Sited to parish name only) tranchet axes, cores, blades, flakes, scrapers, gravers, microliths and microburins. [TR 045555]. Woodcock site 1 (see Authority 4): surface finds and excavation yielded Mesolithic implements: 12 tranchet axe fragments or adze flakes, 13 cores, 2263 blades or flakes, 15 scrapers, 5 gravers, 18 microliths, 11 microburins and 11 others. [TR 046557]. Woodcock site 2 (see Authority 4. Confusion as to the correct N.G.R. for this site). Surface finds and excavation yielded Mesolithic implements: 1 tranchet axe flake, 3 cores, 350 blades or flakes, 11 scrapers, 1 graver and 5 others. Information on these three sites comes from Mr A.G Woodcock, who has the finds in his possession. (5) Additional reference. (6)

<1> Woodcock, A.G., 1966, Mesolithic sites discovered in Perry Woods, Selling, near Canterbury (Article in serial). SWX7752.

<2> F1 ASP 19-NOV-69 (OS Card Reference). SKE42190.

<3> Mr J Bradshaw 8 Forest Cottage Challock (OS Card Reference). SKE47385.

<4> Archaeologia Cantiana, 1967, Annual Report for the Year 1966, lxii (Article in serial). SKE18307.

<5> Arch Cant 91 1975 169-177 figs (A G Woodcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE36031.

<6> CBA RR 20 Gaz Me Sites in England and Wales 1977 146 156 (J J Wymer) (OS Card Reference). SKE38928.

<7> CBA RR 48 Arch in Kent to AD 1550 1982 17 (P Leach) (OS Card Reference). SKE38936.

<8> Field report for monument TR 05 NW 12 - November, 1969 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5206.