Watching brief and excavation during groundworks associated with the development of the Sensory Gardens site, Transport Quarter, Gravesend. Undertaken by Archaeology South East between 20th October 2010 and 22th February 2011

A hillwash deposit of 0.35m thick loose dark orange brown silty sand colluvium, containing moderate charcoal flecking, with occasional artefacts and the partial skeleton of a cow. Artefacts recovered from the colluvium included flintwork of Mesolithic or Neolithic date, ceramic building material of Roman date and a sherd of pottery of likely Saxon (5th to 6th century) date. This sherd is relatively large and unabraded, so it is considered possible (but not certain) that it is contemporary with the final deposition of the layer. The piece is from a quite crudely formed handmade small bowl (diameter 100-110mm) in a dense fine sandy fabric with rare vegetable inclusions (voids). The piece, which is quite large (24g) and unabraded, has been low-fired and reduced black throughout. The interior is
heavily sooted. This sherd’s presence certainly suggests Saxon activity close-by.

Flotation of a 20L sample of the hillwash produced a moderate assemblage of wood charcoal up to 4mm in size. Charred macrobotanical remains were present but limited: crop remains of caryopses of wheat (Triticum sp), barley (Hordeum sp), indeterminate grains (Ceralia) and a single grass seed ((Poaceae). Also a small assemblage of unburnt mammal bones, some infrequent fish bones and land snail shells.
A small amount of fired clay, a single piece of flint debitage and a single iron stud with domed head were also evident in the residue. (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2011, An Archaeological Watching Brief and Excavation at the Sensory Gardens Site, Transport Quarter, Gravesend, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE29282.