An archaeological evaluation tok place at Thanet Earth in 2007 and 2008. The most significant post medieval remains are probably a sequence of structures and other features relating to the position of a ‘Seamark’. This feature, possibly the only one of its kind to be formally excavated, was an aid to navigation for ships in the Estuary and would have been used to triangulate position with other ’seamarks’ or such designated landmarks along the coast such as St Nicholasat‐ Wade church or the Reculver towers. The earliest feature (Structure 58) consisted of a cross‐shaped foundation, about 8.5m across, identical in form and arrangement to cross‐trestle foundations of windmills and of comparable size to one recorded on the Bridge By‐pass. Another structure some distance to the south (Structure 57) consisted of two large, adjacent circular post‐holes, 1.9m apart and between 0.9 and 1.1m in diameter with evidence for a post‐pipe of about 0.3m diameter. These contained eighteenth century pottery, clay pipe, glass and brick but were too far away from the Seamark to represent anchor posts.
From more recent times, a subterranean, part brick built structure dated from the Second World War and was probably a navigation beacon for aircraft approaching Manston aerodrome, while some trenches probably also date from this period. (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 Canon Scott Robertson, 2011, Excavations at Thanet Earth 2007-2008: Assessment Report Volume 1 and 2 (Unpublished document).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Stratigraphic Report (Unpublished document).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.