Monument record TR 16 SW 145 - Late Bronze Age/Iron Age Oppidum, Seasalter

Summary

Ditches, hearths and pits found across the site many containing pottery dating from the Late Bronze Age through the Iron Age to the period of the Roman conquest.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 1008 6471 (1069m by 1069m)
Map sheet TR16SW
Civil Parish WHITSTABLE, CANTERBURY, KENT
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

In 1997 two evaluations were carried out by Canterbury Archaeological Trust on adjacent sites at Seasalter. Both found ditches, hearths and pits, concentrated on the top of a hill. Fire-cracked flints were found in all features. Pottery from the site predominantly dated to the period 600 BC to 50 BC but there were sherds with larger flint temperings, suggesting a Late Bronze Age origin for the settlement, as well as sherds of Late Iron Age type, indicating activity down to c. AD 50 (4,5). Occupation therefore seemingly ceased some little time after the Roman invasion.

The site, occupying a hilltop location, with a possible later extended peripheral area to the west and in total covering an area more than 530m by 270m, is therefore a very large Iron Age settlement, the fully extent of which has not been fully determined. It is likely that the settlement was enclosed as a series of ditches were found to run parallel with the 55m contour of the hill. They were not substantial and so unlikely to have been defensive in function. The substantial site this suggests has been described as an oppidum. (1 and 2)

A palaeoenvironmental assessment recorded the presence of a pit and associated it with Iron Age activity in the area. No further information and exact location unknown. (2)


<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, The Archaeological Evaluation and Results of Preliminary Excavations at the Church Lane East Site, Seasalter, near Whitstable, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE17317.

<3> ArchaeoScape Consulting, 1997, Sunset Caravan Park, Seasalter (Kent) Palaeoenvironmental Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE17314.

<4> ArchaeoScape Consulting, 1997, Church Lane, Seasalter (Kent) Palaeoenvironmental Assessment Report (November, 1997) (Unpublished document). SKE17318.

<5> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, The Archaeological Evaluation and Results of Preliminary Excavations at Sunset Caravan Park, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53259.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <2> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1997. The Archaeological Evaluation and Results of Preliminary Excavations at the Church Lane East Site, Seasalter, near Whitstable, Kent.
  • <3> Unpublished document: ArchaeoScape Consulting. 1997. Sunset Caravan Park, Seasalter (Kent) Palaeoenvironmental Assessment Report.
  • <4> Unpublished document: ArchaeoScape Consulting. 1997. Church Lane, Seasalter (Kent) Palaeoenvironmental Assessment Report (November, 1997).
  • <5> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1997. The Archaeological Evaluation and Results of Preliminary Excavations at Sunset Caravan Park, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent.

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation at Sunset Caravan Park, Whitstable, 1997 (EKE11581)
  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation at the Church Lane East site, Seasalter, Whitstable, 1997 (Ref: ASC - 97/28) (EKE11582)
  • Intrusive Event: Palaeoenvironmental assessment at Sunset Caravan Park, Seasalter, Whitstable, 1997 (EKE11579)

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 9:16AM