Roman trackway and associated gullies found in 1998-1999 prior to the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

A cobbled trackway approached the villa complex (TQ 75 NE 374) from the east across low-lying ground. The date of its construction is unclear, although associated gullies suggest that it had certainly been established by the mid 2nd century and continued in use through the 3rd and 4th centuries. (1)

The wayside shrine consisted of a slightly sunken area surfaced with flint nodules approximately 3m across, bounded by the trackway and the ditch. A large posthole, 0.3m in diameter was positioned at the western edge of the surface adjacent to the trackway. Finds from the area included a possibly deliberately damaged Colchester derivative brooch and a fragment of bronze base or cladding, possibly relating to a large figurine. There were also 69 sherds of pottery, 20% of which were fine wares, both Samian and Upchurch fabrics, giving a mid 1st to late 2nd century date. (2)

<1> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 2001, Thurnham Roman villa, post-excavation assessment report, Thurnham. (Unpublished document). SKE13710.

<2> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Iron Age settlement and Roman Villa at Thurnham, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16390.