Monument record TR 26 SW 66 - Double-ditched ovate enclosure and associated other enclosures, Old Tree View, Hoath

Ovate enclosure with entrance apparent also a confusion of rectilinear features with two possible enclosures among them. (1,2)

In 2011-2 a project by students from the University of Kent conducted geophysical surveys of the site (magnetometry and resistivity). The enclosure was shown to be a double-ditched ovate enclosures with an entrance on the eastern side. A number of ditches to the southeast appeared to be related, forming a system of rectilinear enclosures. (3)

In 2012-2013 excavations were carried out at the site by the University of Kent to investigate the features and the enclosure. The enclosure itself measured 80m in length by 50m in width to the outer ditch, and approximately 50m in length by 35m in width inside the inner ditch. The lack of defensive features accompanied with the shallow depths of the ditches led to the interpretation (4) that the enclosure was designed as a measure to keep livestock out, rather than functioning as a defended fortification. The enclosure appears on geophysical surveys to be associated with a series of linear ditches to the south.

Archaeology identified during the excavation included linear features, ditches, and a possible kiln with an associated flue. The possible kiln comprised a deposit of charcoal, burnt soil and sherds of black flint tempered pottery with a possible associated an L-shaped linear feature likely forming a flue leading away from it to the north east.

An unusual feature or deposit identified to the south east comprised a possible structure or an area for an industrial process comprising something such as pottery firing or iron smelting. This may have been a secondary deposit as no charcoal was associated with it.

Trenches were generally cut across cropmarks of the enclosure and associated linear features at the site. One of these ditches contained periglacial material at its base. The fills of these features and associated deposits contained pottery, a sub-pyramidal loom weight, worked flint, a piece of broken pottery reused as a spindle whorl, a piece of metallurgical dross and three pieces of iron stone, and fired clay including burnt daub. (4)

<1> NMR TR 2164/5 (09-07-76) (OS Card Reference). SKE47662.

<2> NMR TR 2064/4 (16-07-79) (OS Card Reference). SKE47659.

<3> Matthew Charlwood, 2012, Old Tree View, Old Tree Road, Hoath: Archaeological Project Phase I (Unpublished document). SKE17393.

<4> University of Kent, 2013, Old Tree View, Old Tree Road, Hoath, Archaeological Project Phase II (Unpublished document). SKE57829.