An archaeological evaluation in advance of a residential dwelling revealed a number of prehistoric features including evidence of iron working in the form of iron slag and a bloom pit. A single Early Iron Age pottery sherd dated the the iron slag pit. The identification of probable tap slag confirmed that iron smelting had likely been carried out on this site. Interestingly an associated post-hole was described as representing the remains of a possible contemporary structure which could suggest that the iron smelting activity was of a more permanent nature. Other finds included a group of 30 earlier prehistoric struck flints which were thought to be of Middle Bronze Age date or later. These finds were found within a ditch which had an associated mound, the ditch also contained residual medieval pottery sherds. Subsequent excavation of the mound did not reveal any diagnostic finds other that a single oyster shell located in it's upper fill. (1)

<1> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2005, The results of an archaeological evaluation in advance of a proposed replacement dwelling at Monks Orchard, South Street Road, Stockbury, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE15699.