A quarry pit was observed in the section of the modern chalk pit in 1996. It was surveyed in July 2003. OSL dating samples were taken in August 2003. Further work was undertaken in 2004 and 2005 when radiocarbon dating samples were taken. The survey was expanded in 2006 and 2007. Further samples were radiocarbon dated in 2008.

The pit was 20m long and between 1.5m and 2m deep. The base was buried beneath 3.5-4m of colluvium. This material included worked flints of Neolithic and Bronze Age date, no doubt transported into the hollow in the hillwash. Pottery found within the feature was of later prehistoric date. Horse bones found in the fill were RadioCarbon dated to the Late Iron Age (AD 25) whilst OSL dating of soils in the quarry dated these to the middle of the Roman period. RadioCarbon dates from the base of the pit suggest it was dug in the Middle Iron Age (124 cal BC). (1)

<1> Colin A. Baker, 2010, Excavations of an Iron Age pit and Roman cave at Manston in the Isle of Thanet: A report of stratigraphic and archaeological investigations at Spratling Court Farm chalk quarry, Manston, Kent, 1996-2007 (Unpublished document). SKE24340.