In 2003 the Trust for Thanet Archaeology carried out an evaluation at King George's Field, Minster. Two ditches, the first was aligned NW-SE with a U shaped profile and a single fill, was possibly from the early Saxon period. It contained ceramic evidence that indicates a possible date of AD 450-650. The second ditch was WNW-ESE aligned and contained six deposits which included pottery from the mid to late Saxon period, (AD 775-850) along with butchered animal remains. A pit was also investigated, this was sub rectangular in plan with rounded corners and near vertical sides. It contained a single deposit which had frequent bone, pottery and charcoal finds from the mid to late Saxon period. There were also a few pieces of residual Roman material, including the rim of a glass vessel. This suggests there may have been a Roman site in the vicinity. The activity encountered during this evaluation would suggest that there is domestic settlement of Saxon date in the immediate vicinity of the trenches. This is suggested by the quantity of oyster and mussel shell, animal bone and pottery from the excavated ditches. The record of Saxon activity in minster is associated with the ecclesiastical activity to the east of the site at St Marys Church and St Mildreds Priory. The presence of a Saxon settlement on the site is important both for Minster and for Thanet and the location of the settlement on the banks of the Wantsum is also significant. (1)

<1> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2003, Minster Wheels Park, Minster Recreation Ground, King George's Field, Molineaux Road, Minster, Thanet, Kent: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE17472.