Features identified by geophysical survey on the site of a proposed solar farm at Manston Airfield. The survey took place in March 2014 to inform a desk based assessment (1 and 2).

A bartington fluxgate gradiometer was used at 1m transects, readings plotted at 25cm intervals. Background magnetic susceptibility readings were also taken. Results of the survey identified at least two distinct ring ditch features, interpreted as being likely archaeological features. Various other irregular or indistinct enclosure and linear type features were also identified. Some could indicate chalk pits or natural features. Strong recent disturbances were also detected. (2).

This site was considered and the geophysical anomalies mentioned in a cultural heritage desk based assessment by URS in January 2015. (3)

A ring ditch forming part of a round barrow of Bronze Age date was visible as a cropmark in HEA 29746/014 29-JUN-2015. This feature was mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024. Other features identified by the survey described above (1-3) are now recorded separately. (4)

<1> Headland Archaeology, 2014, Land at Manston Airfield, Thanet, Kent, Geophysical survey (Unpublished document). SKE30277.

<2> URS, 2014, Proposed solar farm on land near Manston, Kent, CT12 5BQ: Cultural Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE29678.

<3> URS, 2015, Proposed solar and sustainable farm on land near Manston, Manston Road, Kent CT12 5BQ, Cultural Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE30902.

<4> Historic England Archive, 1920-2024, Historic England Archive Specialist oblique aerial photographs, HEA 29746/014 29-JUN-2015 (Archive). SKE57106.