Excavation at Park Farm East by Wessex Archaeology in 2003 prior to proposed development.

Mid Iron Age to Roman intercutting field systems, industrial working area, and small settlement. (1)

No convincing evidence of early prehsitoric activity, though one pit may date to the Late Bronze Age.

At least 3 phases of activity of the Mid-Late Iron Age / Early Roman period are noted, though the poor quality of dating evidence prevents more precise analysis. Phase one consists of curvilinear ditches and ring ditches indicating the site of roundhouses (12 in total but these may have not all been standing at the same time). Phase two sees the introduction of a rectilinear enclosure system. Domestic, agricultual, and industrial activities seem to be separated into discrete enclosures: in one are a roundhouse, possible storage pits, and an isolated hearth; in another is an iron-smelting furnace; another has a series of possible stock pens and four-poster structures which may be grain stores. Phase three sees a new field system and more isolated hearths.

A number of Roman coins of the 3rd century AD were found in the ploughsoil by metal detecting. As none of the features on the site post date the 1st century AD these coins either represent chance losses from travellors on the nearby Roman road, or the result of manuring showing the presence of a neaby settlement in this period (perhaps Westhawk Farm). Evidence suggests little post-Roman activity on the site. (2)

4 vessels were sent for technical analysis. 3 were deemed to be crucibes utilised in the melting of copper alloys, specifically tine bronzes. The fabrics of the crucibles are similar to those of later Roman crucibes from Housesteads fort, Northumberland, but the melting of tin bronzes suggests a Late Iron Age date, which matches the date of the settlement. The fourth vessel was a thumb pot of unknown use. (3)

Powell, A., 2013, Settlement and landscape reorganisation from the Middle Iron Age to the early Roman period: Excavations south-east of Park Farm, Ashford (Article in serial). SKE24824.

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2003, Archaeological Excavations at Park Farm East, Ashford: Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE16428.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2004, Park Farm East Ashford, Kent: Post-Excavation Assessment Report And Updated Project Design (Unpublished document). SKE16432.

<3> English Heritage, 2010, Park Farm East, Ashford, Kent: Analysis of Crucibles from the Iron Age Settlement (Unpublished document). SKE16433.