An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in advance of a proposed re-development. The work revealed a variety of features associated with an Iron Age settlement which was identified during previous archaeological work in the area. Features included rubbish pits, general pits, a ditch and a series of postholes, one alignment probably representing a hut structure. Finds included a small amount of pottery, quern stone fragments, loomweights (using natural doughnut shaped flints) and two pounding/crushing stones. Hammerscale was also present in some of the cut features. (1)

In 2008 Canterbury Archaeological Trust carried out an excavation. A large number of Early Iron Age pits were found across the site, along with over 150 post holes, many of which related to four post structures (perhaps 10 or 11 such buildings). (2-3)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2008, An archaeological evaluation of the former Southern Water site, St Richard's Road, Deal (Unpublished document). SKE15720.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2008, Interim Report on Excavations at the Nathan Lawrance site adjacent to the Waterworks, St Richards Road, Deal (Unpublished document). SKE15721.

<3> Weekes, J., 2012, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Interim Reports, Archaeologia Cantiana CXXXII 2012: 301-302 (Article in serial). SKE25119.