In 2000/1 the Oxford Archaeological Unit carried out a targeted watching brief (a strip, map and sample excavation) ahead of CTRL works. In the northern part of the site two adjacent enclosures were found. These dated to the Late Iron Age and early Roman period and were used for iron production. The enclosures contained numerous pits and post holes and a possible spring. The fills of the ditch were rich in charcoal and ash. There were dumps of burnt clay and slag as well as some iron fragments. The sides of the ditch were scorched in places, suggesting the waste was dumped whilst hot. Two possible bowl furnace bases were identified within the enclosure. The site was used for the smelting of iron ore. Also within the enclosure was a post-built structure, possibly a shelter either for the smelting process or smithing the iron product. The second enclosure was similar to the first though its ditches also produced two pottery wasters. No pottery kiln was identified but it suggests pot making was occurring in the immediate area. In the main the pottery from the enclosures was grog-tempered locally-produced wares, suggesting a low status for the site. Fragments of briquetage suggests other economic activity on the site. A very small amount of cremated human bone was recovered from one pit but was described as probably non-deliberately deposited and perhaps only indication of funerary activity in the vicinity. (1-2)

<1> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 2003, Beechbrook Wood: Post Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE16484.

<2> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Prehistoric and Roman landscape at Beechbrook Wood, Westwell, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE25196.