Monument record TR 26 NW 106 - Neolithic Activity at Thanet Earth

In 2007 and 2008 a programme of archaeological evaluation took place over a large area of land that is now Thanet Earth. Neolithic activity at Thanet Earth was relatively slight and mostly scattered. However, additional evidence for the period is present from virtually all the site area within residual flint assemblages.At least eleven small pits (less than 1m in diameter and generally shallow) and four larger pits (between 1 and 2m diameter) have been identified and suggest that there was at least some small‐scale occupation of the landscape in the early‐middle Neolithic. Nearly all of these features contained pottery, worked flint assemblages and environmental evidence. Some of these features probably date from the mid to late Neolithic, but one feature yielded sherds of a finely made Carinated Bowl, dating to c. 4000‐3800 BC associated with early Neolithic flintwork. This feature appeared to be domestic in origin and also contained relatively large quantities of carbonised grain, hazelnuts and seeds. In terms of possible Neolithic landscape features there is virtually no evidence to indicate any form of land management such as the layout of associated ‘fields. (1)

<1> Canon Scott Robertson, 2011, Excavations at Thanet Earth 2007-2008: Assessment Report Volume 1 and 2 (Unpublished document). SKE29447.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2011, Excavations at Thanet Earth 2007‐2008: Stratigraphic Report Volume 1 (DRAFT)
Stratigraphic Report (Unpublished document). SKE29450.