An archaeological evaluation was carried out at the site of the former gasworks in Snodland in 2005. Nine tranches were excavated.

Trench 1: a natural palaeochannel c. 3.5 m wide was discovered filled with alluvial deposits. It was aligned broadly NW-SE. A single sherd of 1st or 2nd century pottery (North Kent Fineware) was recovered from the lowest fill. Cattle bones with butchery marks on the and, large fragments of roof tile including tegula and imbrex were found from the higher fills.

Trench 2: also contained a palaeochannel. The chennel was 6 m wide and aligned broadly N-S. The single fill contained a significant amount of Roman tile.

Trench 6: contained a circular pit 1.1 m diameter. The pit was 0.45 m deep. 4 pieces of Roman tile and 2 pieces of struck flint were recovered.

Trench 9: contained an undated ditch c. 1 m wide and aligned NW-SE.

The Roman villa that lies immediatel;y to the south of the site is located on a raised terrace. This terrace extends into the site and was where the pit was found. The terrace slopes away to wards the north of the site where the palaeochannels lie. It is suggested that the filling of these channels with large amounts of tile may be associated with construction works at the villa site.(1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2005, An Archaeological Evaluation at The former Gasworks, Churchfields, Snodland, Kent. (Unpublished document). SKE15684.