In 2005 the area was evaluated by trial trencihg as area 'B'. Evidence was sparse although a iron age or Saxon and medieval field system was seen in the centre of the site. Several post medieval features were also observed. An assemblage of multi-period pottery was found.(2)

Area B1 consisted of a 0.34 ha area excavated in advance of the Leybourne Bypass. The area was targeted on the location of a number of medieval ditches found during an earlier evaluation. The excavation found a range of prehistoric finds including late bronze age/early iron age pottery, middle iron age pottery and a range of worked flints. All the features dated to the medieval period and consisted of field system boundaries, a sub-rectangular bakery structure, postholes, pits and tree throws, mostly dating from the 13th to 14th centuries.

The field system consisted of ten ditches forming the components of a partially preserved rectilinear field system orientated on a NW-SE, NE-SW grid. Most were 0.25 - 0.8 m in width and only 0.1 - 0.25 m deep. A silver penny from Stephen I was found and dated to AD 1145-1150.

A large sub-rectungular structure was found in the north-west corner of the area. It was placed in a shallow hollow which had been partially terraced. The structure was in three phases - first a small oven, then a small hearth and finally a large clay lined oven on a ragstone base. Raked spreads of charcoal and burnt clay were found. A large pottery assemblage, mostly dating to the 13th century was found. No definite evidence of baking was found but the complete lack of other industrial residue supports this interpretation.

At least five postholes and a small pit, also containing 13th century finds, were also found.(1, 2, 3)

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, A228 West Malling and Leybourne Bypass, West Malling Kent: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief Works (Unpublished document). SKE13007.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2005, An archaeological evaluation along A228 Leybourne to West Malling Bypass, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE15652.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2006, A228 West Malling & Leybourne Bypass, West Malling, Kent, archaeological evaluation, excavation and watching brief works, post-excavation assessment report and proposals for analysis and final publication (Unpublished document). SKE15655.