During the East Kent Access Route excavations (2009-2011) a group of middle iron age pits were discovered west of the trapezoidal enclosure. Most of the pits were sub-circular or oval, occasionally sub rectangular, between 1.5-3m in diameter and most 0.7-1m deep. The 21 pits were in three broadly parallel lines and may have been grouped around enclosures or structures. The contained large amounts of domestic material including animal bone, pottery, fired clay, shell, spindle whorls, loomweights (or briquetage) and worked stone. Notable finds included joining fragments of a crucible with a pouring lip, the size of the object suggests that it was for precious metals. Another was three sherds from a vessel with polychromatic decoration consisting of scored rectangular panels outline in red, infilled in black and with a central brown oval. These finds suggest the presence of a settlement of some importance. The area also contained what appeared to be quarry pits and a post-built structures. These included a possible small circular building and at least two six post structures. Central to the group of features was a spread of debris covering an area 13m by 10m. this layer seems to have marked an area of occupation. Some of the pits contained human remains and skeletons including crouched and flexed inhumations. Two radio carbon dates were gathered from the graves, these put them in the early to middle Iron Age (380-180 cal BC and 390-200 cal BC) (information summarised from sources)(1)

<1> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, East Kent Access (Phase II), Thanet, Kent: Post-Excavation Assessment Volume 1 (Unpublished document). SKE29279.