Monument record TQ 56 NW 55 - Farningham Hill late Iron Age settlement

Summary

A late pre-Roman Iron Age farmstead detected from the air was totally excavated by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit in 1975 ahead of motorway construction. A roughly pentagonal ditched enclosure of about 0.2 hectares had four original entrance causeways, one of which was later removed. Internally, a probable circular hut, about 5m in diameter and protected by a shallow uphill gully, and three groups of pits, largely filled the western part of the site. The largely open eastern side may have been used for storage, drying or for cattle and sheep pens. Sixteen of the pits were substantial and were probably dug as underground silos, probably for storage of crops grown in small nearbyfields. A minimum of 165 pottery vessels, found discarded in the pits and ditches, date between 50 BC and AD 50. The farmstead probably represents a single family unit.

Location

Grid reference TQ 5450 6736 (point) FCE
Map sheet TQ56NW
County KENT
Civil Parish FARNINGHAM, SEVENOAKS, KENT
District SEVENOAKS, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

<1> Excav in the Darent Valley 1984 7-71 figs 3-22 (B Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE41679.

<2> DOE Arch Excav 1975 1976 122 (B J Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE40788.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: Excav in the Darent Valley 1984 7-71 figs 3-22 (B Philp).
  • <2>XY OS Card Reference: DOE Arch Excav 1975 1976 122 (B J Philp). [Mapped feature: #46532 farmstead, ]

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: FARNINGHAM HILL (Ref: EI 14777) (EKE3820)

Related Thematic Articles (1)

Record last edited

Apr 19 2021 3:28PM