Monument record TQ 67 SW 547 - Late Iron Age enclosed settlement, Northumberland Bottom

Summary

An enclosed settlement was established in the Late Iron Age between Downs Road and Wrotham Road dry valleys on the west-facing hillside. The site continued in use into the Roman period, reaching its height in the late 1st century AD.

Location

Grid reference TQ 6334 7135 (point)
Map sheet TQ67SW
Civil Parish GRAVESEND, GRAVESHAM, KENT
County KENT
District GRAVESHAM, KENT

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

In 1998 Museum of London Archaeology Service carried out an excavation as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project. An enclosed settlement was established between Downs Road and Wrotham Road dry valleys on the west-facing hillside. The site continued in use into the Roman period, reaching its height in the late 1st century AD.

The earliest phase of activity related to a hollow way with a ditch and bank that could have been of Middle Iron Age date. In the Late Iron Age, an enclosure was laid out to the east of the hollow way. The earliest use of this may have been livestock related as there were no traces of domestic activity. The enclosure was subsequently enlarged, putting the hollow way out of use. Within this larger enclosure, there were a number of pits, ovens or kilns a possible hearth and two burials. One was cremation in a pedestal urn in a small pit on the east side of the enclosure. A copper alloy open ring was found within it. Disarticulated human remains of at least two individuals were found in a pit near the entrance on the north side of the enclosure. The pit also contained two fragments of loomweights and a Colchester type one-piece bow brooch. The pit was filled by the end of the 1st century AD. A horse burial was found on the west side of the enclosure. The animal had been 11-15.5 years old, 1.4-149m high (14-14 1/2 hands) with signs of traction and riding stresses. (1-3)


<1> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1998, Project Area 330 Northumberland Bottom ARC WNB 98 Archaeological Excavation Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE12767.

<2> Museum of London Archaeology Service, Oct 2001, Area 330 (Zone 3) Northumberland Bottom (ARC WNB 98) Archaeological Post Excavation Report (Unpublished document). SWX12866.

<3> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Prehistoric, Roman and Medieval Landscape at Northumberland Bottom, Southfleet, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE17842.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Museum of London Archaeology Service. 1998. Project Area 330 Northumberland Bottom ARC WNB 98 Archaeological Excavation Interim Report.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Museum of London Archaeology Service. Oct 2001. Area 330 (Zone 3) Northumberland Bottom (ARC WNB 98) Archaeological Post Excavation Report.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2006. The Prehistoric, Roman and Medieval Landscape at Northumberland Bottom, Southfleet, Kent.

Finds (13)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at Northumberland Bottom Gravesend (Ref: ARC WNB 98) (EWX9125)

Record last edited

Sep 24 2012 11:34AM