A large ditch 12-15ft. wide and more than 6ft. deep, also a smaller ditch 7ft. wide and 4 ft. deep, the larger ditch containing sherds of late IA or RB pottery dating to the 1st century AD, were discovered in 1966 at TQ 455561 by members of the W.K.B.A.G. during the installation of a new gas pipe. the ditches probably belong to a farmstead site, perhaps of I.A. date. (1) The gas pipe-line crosses the 100.0m square indicated but nothing significant was noted in perambulation. (2) TQ 45605606. A probable late Iron Age site discovered in 1966, during Operation Gaspipe West' occupies part of two open fields (OS parcel 005 and 4800) either side of the Pilgrims' Way. Three features were recorded in the side of the pipe trench and about 25 potsherds were recovered from the adjacent spoil heaps. Feature 1. A large V-shaped ditch running roughly NE by SW. It was about 15 ft wide and at least 6 ft deep. The filling contained specks of carbon, snail shells, a piece of burnt clay and an indeterminate potsherd. Various types of pottery were represented in the upcast soil. Feature 2. A small bowl shaped ditch, running approx N-S. It was about 7 ft wide and 4 ft deep. Contained only one small piece of bone. Feature 3. Small U-shaped gulley or pit, 2 ft 4 in wide and 2 ft deep. No finds. The various features and domestic pottery suggest an occupation site and the large ditch may be defensive in character. The few potsherds mostly appear to be late Iron age in date and for this reason alone the site has been identified as Iron Age. The pottery was in fact from the upper filling of the large ditch which may have been dug centuries earlier, or indeed later with the potsherds having been subsequently washed in with the silt. the exact relationship of the features to the Pilgrims' Way was not determined. (3)

<1> Kent ARG Newsletter 6 1966 4 19-20 (E Mynott & R Brasier) (OS Card Reference). SKE45905.

<2> F1 CFW 11-NOV-69 (OS Card Reference). SKE42534.

<3> Excavns. in W Kent 1960-70 1973 53 (B Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE41699.

<4> Field report for monument TQ 45 NE 10 - November, 1969 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2676.