In 2001 Archaeology South-East carried out an excavation. An extensive Middle Bronze Age to Late Bronze Age cremation cemetery was found. A sub-circular platform was located on the eastern part of the site. It was c.10m x8m and was formed by the cutting of a complex series of curving ditches. Burnt material was found in the ditches along with large quantities of Late Bronze Age pottery and a small quantity of Middle Bronze Age pottery. There was a rectangular pit located in the centre of the platform, again containing burnt material and Middle Bronze Age pottery. Seven post holes were found around the area. Gullies to the north possibly represented an entranceway. The platform may have been a pyre site and/or a ploughed out barrow. Two possible pyre deposits, one potentially an urned cremation, were found nearby.

Across the central part of the site, at least 43 possible cremations/pyre deposits were found. Several contained pottery sherds and these could have derived from burial containers. The deposits were found in both isolated positions and in discrete groups. A number of possible pyre sites were found, some associated with clusters of burials. A Middle Bronze Age/Late Bronze Age ditch possibly enclosed part of the site. (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2002, Post-Excavation Assessment of Archaeological Investigations at Highstead Farm Quarry (Extraction Area 4, Phases 1 and 2), Chislet, Canterbury, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE18205.