Monument record TR 13 NE 28 - Possible site of a promontory fort

Summary

Soilmark and earthwork traces of a large sub-circular bivallate enclosure likely to be an Iron Age promontory fort can be seen on aerial photographs. Iron Age potsherds found in 1973 prompting speculation that a promontory fort may have existed. This is now confirmed by the aerial photographs.

Location

Grid reference TR 1891 3812 (point) FCE
Map sheet TR13NE
County KENT
District FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE, KENT
Civil Parish NEWINGTON, SHEPWAY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Early Iron Age pottery was recently found stratified in the topsoil overlying the quarry face at TR 18923812 and it was suggested by Bradshaw that the site may be that of a promontory fort isolated on the NE by bank and ditch. Examination of AP's however, failed to reveal any such fortifications in the heavily ploughed area suggested. (1) TR 18923812. Coarse flint-gritted sherds were discovered at the top centre of the large chalk quarry visible on the left side of the A28 trunk road approaching Folkestone from London. These were found by Mr R Cross in the "overlay" which had been pushed down by bulldozing from the top and a search of the summit showed the same types stratified "in situ". The owner of the quarry and the farmer whose land adjoins the site, have given permission for any work needed in establishing the nature of the site, to be carried out. The Ordnance Survey and the National Monuments Record are unable to find evidence of a ditch or ditches on their aerial photographs to indicate the remains of a promontory camp. However, the pottery is similar in forms and texture to that found on other Early Iron Age sites. (2)

More recent aerial photos (2003, 2005/6 and 2008) plus Google Earth images of 2007 clearly show ditches to the northeast encircling the promontory, describing an arc c.280m for the outermost and c.240m for the inner.(3-4)


RPS Clouston, 1994, Folkestone & Dover Water services: Bluehouse to Cherry Garden Trunk Main (Unpublished document). SKe6910.

<1> Letter (J Bradshaw 22.5.73) (OS Card Reference). SKE46039.

<2> Arch Cant 88 1973 216 (J Bradshaw) (OS Card Reference). SKE35942.

<3> RPS Clouston, 1994, Folkestone & Dover Water services: Bluehouse to Cherry Garden Trunk Main (Unpublished document). SKE6910.

<4> Oblique aerial photograph reference number (Photograph). SKE54531.

Sources/Archives (5)

  • --- Unpublished document: RPS Clouston. 1994. Folkestone & Dover Water services: Bluehouse to Cherry Garden Trunk Main.
  • <1> OS Card Reference: Letter (J Bradshaw 22.5.73).
  • <2>XY OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 88 1973 216 (J Bradshaw). [Mapped feature: #41271 Fort, ]
  • <3> Unpublished document: RPS Clouston. 1994. Folkestone & Dover Water services: Bluehouse to Cherry Garden Trunk Main.
  • <4> Photograph: Oblique aerial photograph reference number.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: English Heritage Aerial Reconnaissance (South) (EKE20631)

Record last edited

Nov 26 2021 2:51PM