Monument record TR 36 NE 539 - Iron Age ditches and four post structures, Hamilton Close, Broadstairs

Summary

During archaeological excavations ahead of development at Hamilton Lodge on Bishops Avenue in Broadstairs, a series of features including ditches and post holes were uncovered, these appear to represent two phases of Iron Age activity at this site. The earliest feature was a ditch dating from the Early to Middle Iron Age, the other features were Late Iron Age ditches and four post structures. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 3970 6889 (13m by 10m)
Map sheet TR36NE
County KENT
District THANET, KENT
Civil Parish BROADSTAIRS AND ST PETERS, THANET, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

In 2004 the Trust for Thanet Archaeology carried out an evaluation on Bishops Avenue, on the site now known as Hamilton Close. A pit of Iron Age date was found, along with a gully, both contained Early to Middle Iron Age pottery. (1)

The earliest linear feature (linear 1) ran east-west across the site, it had suffered varying degrees of truncation and the profile of the ditch varied accordingly. at the western end of the ditch was a well defined terminal with a slight slot at the base. The ditch was filled by a single deposit which produced a fairly large assemblage of Early-Middle Iron Age pottery (c.550-350BC). A second ditch was dated by the pottery within its fills to the later Iron Age (c.150-50BC). This ran roughly east-west across the site, parallel to the earlier Iron Age linear, it had steep sides and a sharp flat base with a well defined western terminal. In addition to this ditch a series of post holes were also dated to the Later Iron Age. These appeared to represent at least two, four post structures. The first four post structure consisted of four equally spaced post holes arranged in a regular square. The post holes were each filled with a regular deposits and one contained a small fragment of copper allot and a Potin coin. Ceramics from the sills appeared to date to c150-50 BC. The second post built structure comprised three post holes with the fourth presumably situated outside the excavation area. again these contained pottery datable to the Later Iron Age. A further post hole near the edge of the excavated area could potential belong to another four post structure.

The animal bones from the site were assessed along with those found on the adjacent site at 103 Stone Road, to the south. Cattle, sheep, pig, horse and dog were represented. Meat appears to have been the primary purpose of the animal husbandry, with early slaughter common. The horses were older and probably draft animals. Dog scavenging was evident. Two partial sheep and two partial pig skeletons may represent deliberate burial of parts of sacrificial victims. Wild animals were less well represented. Bird bones were dominated by domestic fowl but goose and kittiwake were also found. (2-3)


<1> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2004, Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE13634.

<2> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2004, Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs: Archaeological Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE18199.

<3> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2005, Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs: Archaeological Report (Unpublished document). SKE18200.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 2004. Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs: Archaeological Evaluation Report.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 2004. Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs: Archaeological Assessment Report.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 2005. Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs: Archaeological Report.

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Intrusive Event: Evaluation at Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs (Ref: TH/04/0074) (EKE9900)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs - Area 2 (Ref: BAB04) (EKE24751)
  • Event Boundary: Excavation at Hamilton Lodge, Bishops Avenue, Broadstairs (Ref: BAB04) (EKE12666)

Record last edited

Apr 1 2025 5:26PM