TR 28716993 (a) In April 1938 J. Beck assisted by Miss Powell-Cotton found a series of 8 holes sunk in the chalk of the foreshore of Minnis Bay, Birchington. Most were circular, 3-4' in diameter and several showed signs of burning; some of them may have been well-bottoms. Finds included a millstone-like slab, quern fragments, a complete New Forest ware two-handled wine jug, two almost perfect Belgic pots and numerous potsherds including half of a black ware pot of 4th century type and some Samian. (b) A further 8 pits in the same area excavated by Miss Powell-Cotton between 1953 and 1961 have yielded further Belgic and R.B. potsherds and a few fibulae. All finds are in the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex Park; all the pits are now destroyed (1). [For similar site dated to Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age nearby see TR 26 NE 2]. Additional references (2-4) and for site in context with other inter-tidal sites see (5,6)

In detail No. 1.—Irregular shape (3ft. 10in. by 4ft. 3in.), average diameter 3 ft. 8 in., depth 2 ft. 5in. Covered by the millstone-like slab. Underneath were found a fine red ware pot with remains of white slip, and 2 fragments of Samian ware, the only pieces found. Pieces of wood and horses' teeth.
No. 2.— Circular 2 ft. 10 in. diameter, depth 3 ft. 6 in. No wood. Small potsherds. About half of a slab as in No. 1.
No. 3.— Circular 4 ft. diameter, depth 2 ft. 10 in. No wood. Wine jar, 2 handled, unbroken, New Forest type (?), half of red ware colour-coated dish, half of black ware pot of 4th c. type. Pieces of stone as m No. 1. Part of upper stone of a quern.
No. 4.—Circular 4 ft. 3 in., diameter, depth 1 ft. 4 in. Quantity of sticks with straw below. No stone.
No. 5.—Circular 4 ft. 1in. diameter, depth 10 in. Curved pieces of wood resembling barrel staves. No stone.
No. 6.— Oblong 8 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in., depth 1 ft. Chalk only.
No. 7.—Circular 2 ft. 10 in. diameter, depth 1 ft. 8 in. Chalk only.
No. 8.—Square with 2 ft. 3 in. sides, depth 2 ft. 6 in. Wood none. Grey Belgic vase. Base of rough-cast beaker, 1st c. A.D. About half a quern. (2)

<1> Miss Powell-Cotton and large scale map at Quex Park (OS Card Reference). SKE47220.

<2> Major P. H. G. Powell Cotton and G. F. Pinfold, 1939, Arch Cant - The Beck Find: Prehistoric and Roman site on the foreshore at Minnis Bay (Article in serial). SKE35264.

<3> F1 CFW 29-NOV-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42819.

<4> Field report for monument TR 26 NE 23 - November, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5822.

<5> Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, 1994, Inter-tidal archaeology in Kent (Unpublished document). SWX9353.

<6> Trust For Thanet Archaeology, 1991, Intertidal Zone Minnis Bay-Reculver (Unpublished document). SWX7082.