Features found dating to the Middle Iron Age/Late Iron Age Transition (c.150 to 75 BC) included ditches, pits, postholes, double post-hole row, pit/well and structures, which were focused in the northern part of area 4, believed to comprise increased development of the enclosure at this time. Later ditches and structures were dated to the period 75 to 25 BC (Period IV in report), with scant evidence in area 3, suggesting the possibility of a high status settlement lying beyond the site boundary to the south west. Occupation during the very Late Iron Age/very Early Roman, dated 75 BC to AD 55, (referred to as 'Period V' in the report) saw an expansion of the site, with development south of the axial ditch [3276]. Features from this period included ditches (believed to form several enclosures, with a trackway as their locus), several pits and post-holes, several structures (believed to be dwellings or occupation sites, indicating continued development of this part of the site), spreads, two weapon burials, enclosures, pyre site or hearth and a well/shaft. Eleven pieces of glass were also recovered from area 4, all Late Iron Age or Roman in date. At least 15 special 'burial features' or deposits and other features associated with cremation including at least one pyre site were found.

Weapon Burials:
The most significant finds at the site were two weapon burials, deemed to be of national importance. Only nine weapon burials have been found previously in England south of the Humber, however, both sets of remains are in poor condition due to acidic Weald clay, which has led to significant deterioration. The first burial - [B20]- comprises a male inhumation (believed to be between 18 and 22 years of age) buried with weapons and one pot within a square-ditched enclosure, forming a pair with another burial -[B19]- 5m to the east. [B20] is dated to c.AD 10 via ceramics found in the grave fill. The two burials are placed within a zone of Middle/Late Iron Age settlement to the north and areas of Late Iron Age occupation and ritual activity to the south. Grave goods found alongside [B20] included a long sword and shield. Outside the 'coffin' a spear head was found lodged in the south-east wall of the grave, in addition to a Gallo-Belgic butt beaker (dated 10 BC to AD 10) and a circular ring of bronze. Found close by in a filled in ditch were broken whole pots and cattle jaws.

Burial [B19] has been dated AD 30 to 50, presumed later than [B20] and shallow in depth, at ~400 to 450mm deep (at estimated Late Iron Age/Roman land surface). The accompanying grave goods were a butt beaker (AD 30 to 70), a terra negra platter with stamp [CANICOS -SN-], produced in Marne AD 20/25 to 40/45, and a small carinated cup or bowl (AD 0 to 50). With the body were a long sword with three suspension rings, a spear, a conical shield boss, a series of five iron objects lying across the line of the ankles, a single brooch on the chest and half a pigs head lying over the groin. The association of a weapon burial with a brooch and three pots is unique in Britain.

Roman features at the site, dating AD 50 to 70 (Period VIa) comprised several ditches, pits, post-holes, kiln/pit and burial [B19] and [B20] enclosure ditches filling a 'ritual' enclosure ditch. During the latter period c.AD 70 to 120 (Period VIb) further ditches, pits, post-holes and a beam slot were identified. Mid Roman features -c.AD 120 to 200- comprised a trackway ditch. Several ditches were also found, believed to be modern features (AD 1800 to 2002). (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2003, Brisley Farm, Ashford, Kent: A Post Excavation Assessment Report On The Archaeological Excavations 1998-2002 With Proposals For Publication (Unpublished document). SKE15989.

<2> Archaeology South-East, 2006, Specialist Summary and Revised Publication Synopsis on Brisley Farm Excavations fro 1999-2004 (Unpublished document). SKE52022.

<3> Centre for Archaeology, 2004, Investigative conservation of two Iron Age burials at Brisley Farm, Ashford, Kent (BRF01)/Report No 22-2004. (Unpublished document). SKE55481.