Monument record TR 15 NW 1732 - Prehistoric Field System (Park & Ride, Wincheap)

Summary

The service trenches revealed several features, all at the northern half of the site, on ground gently sloping down to the river Stour. These features were observed in profile only, but their shape, size and presence in both sides of the trenches (1m wide) suggested that most were ditches rather than pits.

Location

Grid reference TR 1361 5686 (point)
Map sheet TR15NW
County KENT
District CANTERBURY, KENT
Civil Parish CANTERBURY, CANTERBURY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A watching brief was maintained from October to December, 1993 during construction work on a Park and Ride terminus at Wincheap. The site lay on former allotment gardens between the offices of Robert Brett & Sons Ltd and the Canterbury by-pass (A2), on the north side of Wincheap, and extended northwards for a distance of 225m. The site code was WPR93.

The construction work involved a reduction in ground level to the top of natural brickearth and gravel, as well as the excavation of service trenches. The service trenches revealed several features, all at the northern half of the site, on ground gently sloping down to the river Stour.
These features were observed in profile only, but their shape, size and presence in both sides of the trenches (1m wide) suggested that most were ditches rather than pits. Nearly all contained redeposited brickearth and very little occupation debris, suggesting further these features were not for rubbish disposal.

These features were interpreted as part of a field system situated on fertile soil just above the river, with no trace of it extending further up the less fertile higher ground to the south. Some produced pottery which ranged from the pre-Roman Belgic period to the late 4th century AD, with most pottery dated to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. There was also a horse burial observed and recorded, which may have been Roman in date.


Anderson, I., 1995, Wincheap Car Park (Article in serial). SKE30496.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- Article in serial: Anderson, I.. 1995. Wincheap Car Park.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: Wincheap Park and Ride (Ref: CAT: 91) (EKE13789)

Record last edited

Jan 19 2015 11:25AM