In 1993 an archaeological evaluation involving trenches was carried out by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust for the Herne Bay Water Treatment Works. Trench 5 was situated somewhere close to Highstead and a number of features were noticed in the trench. Seven post holes were present, pits and a ditch. Only one post hole, the ditch, B horizon, and topsoil yielded finds. All yield some pottery dating between Late Bronze Age through to Roman; the topsoil one LBA/EIA sherd, the B horizon contained more pottery with six LBA/EIA sherds and Medieval/late Medieval tile, 11 sherds from the post hole and 3 from the ditch. Slag and worked flint was also recovered from the B horizon. (1)

In 1995 a report assessing at the archaeology for the Herne Bay Waste Water Treatment was compiled. The pits and post holes had pottery in their fills which was of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age in date, c.900/850-600 BC. Some Medieval peg tiles were present elsewhere on the site. (2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1993, Herne Bay Water Treatment Works Archaeological Assessment Phase 1 (Unpublished document). SKE17242.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1995, The Herne Bay Water Treatment Project: An Assessment of the Archaeological Discoveries
The Herne Bay Water Treatment Project: An Assessment of the Archaeological Discoveries (Unpublished document). SKE17345.