An archaeological evaluation undertaken by Canterbury Archaeology in 2009 on land adjoining 77 Rolfe Lane, New Romney revealed a substantial Medieval ditch, seen in two of the three evaluation trenches which were opened across the site. In trench 2 it cut across on a north-north-west to south-south-east alignment and was recorded as i being 4.05m at its widest point. Sample excavation ovealed a depth in excess of 1.10m (2m below the present ground level). The exposed profile indicated even sloping sides roughly at a 45 degree angle. Three infilling deposits were identified the lowest of which comprised of soft to firmly compacted mid brownish grey silty sand with occasional charcoal flecks, oyster shell, animal bone and pottery sherds including Ashford type wares from combed decorated jugs. Sealing this was a layer of softly compacted light yellow grey/ brown slightly silty sand with occasional lenses of clay, charcoal and cockle shell fragments. The upper fill consisted of softly compacted mid grey/ brown silty sand with common charcoal flecking, I animal bone, and occasional oyster and cockle shell fragments. Six sherds of pottery from cooking vessels with squared out-tumed rims were also present. The size of this feature suggests a large drainage ditch; all of the pottery present suggests a thirteenthcentury date (c 1200 - 1275). The ditch was also seen in trech 3, here only its westem edge was evident within the trench limits, cutting across it at a rough north- I north-west to south-south-east alignment. As exposed within the limits of the trench it was at least 2.80m wide. This feature was not further excavated although its upper fill was recorded as softly compacted mid grey/brown silty sand. (1) (information summarised from source)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2010, Archaeological evaluation at Land Adjoining 77 Rolfe Lane, New Romney, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16674.