[TQ554 722] Neolithic, Iron Age Site (1) Rescue excavation ahead of gravel extraction continued on this major Neolithic and Iron Age site. This revealed a small group of pits and post-holes at the extreme south limit of the site, containing pottery and bone of Iron Age date. An extension of the quarry at its north east end revealed a series of silt deposits prodicing large numbers of fine flakes relating to the Neolithic site excavated in 1975. (2)

On discovery of a layer of peat a four week training excavation was undertaken. The peat layer lay at the base of what would have been a small lake. Only 7% of the peat was excavated before the site was destroyed by quarrying, but over 700 struck flints and

Prehistoric lake site discovered at Darenth in January 1975. The site occupies part of the flood plain and terrace of the River Darent about 4 miles from its confluence with the River Thames and 1 1/2 miles from the town centre of Dartford. On discovery a four week training excavation was undertaken in April excavating 7% of the peat deposit before the area destroyed by quarrying in November 1975. From 1975 up to 1982 work carried on in the area recovering and recording eventually finds and features dating from the mesolithic to the iron age. Animal bones included oxen, sheep, pig, roe and red deer. No further details are given. Environmental evidence recovered from the former lake included hazel nuts, elder and raspberry seeds, a cherry stone, beech nuts and pollen of bracken, lime, hazel and elder. Nine radio-carbon dates were taken from the peat giving a date range of 5160-2280 BC (corrected to 6000-2960 BC).

A Neolithic farmstead was recorded, no evidence of features is given to support this in the sources, with the silt deposits producing large numbers of fine flakes. Of note was a Amphibolite polished stone axe, not found in situ but recovered from an adjacent area. It probably came from the upper peat deposits of this neolithic lake site. It was thin sectioned and although no provenance was known, probably derives from the South-West of England.(1,2 & 3).

Additional Data(4 & 5)

Dept of the Environment, 1975, Archaeological Excavations (Unpublished document). SKE53734.

Department of the Environment, 1976, Archaeological excavations (Unpublished document). SKE53735.

Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society of East Anglia., 1978/9, Continuation of: Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society of East Anglia. Indexes: 1-30; (Article in serial). SKE53736.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1994 Jan, A2/A282 Dartford - Historic Environmental Assessment (Unpublished document). SWX6767.

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1994 Jan, A2/A282 Dartford - Historic Environmental Assessment (Unpublished document). SWX6767.

Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1998, Neolithic and Iron Age sites at Darenth, Kent (Bibliographic reference). SKE13568.

Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, 1998, Neolithic and Iron Age sites at Darenth, Kent (Bibliographic reference). Ske13568.

<1> Edna Mynott, 1976, A Major Prehistoric Site Discovered at Darenth, Kent, p60 - 61 (Article in serial). SKE12019.

<2> Philp, B. J., 2002, Archaeology in the Front Line: 50 Years of Kent Rescue 1952 - 2002, p120 - 124 (Monograph). SKE11928.

<3> B. J. Philp, 1981, A Stone Axe From Darenth, vol 65 p102 - 103 (Article in serial). SKE12020.

<4> P.P.S. 44 1978 448 (B.Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE48457.

<5> P.P.S. 45 1979 333 (B.Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE48458.