In June and July 1015 and archaeological evaluation was carried out on land at the North School, Ashford following a planning condition attached to a proposed residential development.

A total of 7 trenches were excavated. Trench 3 revealed three small pits, and a ditch, one of the features was modern, and the remaining features were undated. Trench 6 contained a large pit, containing a single sherd (4g) of Early Iron Age pottery - comparable to the other Early Iron Age pottery recovered from the site.

Trench 7 revealed an undated gully and an Early Iron Age pit. This pit contained three fills, and all deposits produced Early Iron Age Pottery fragments. A total of 136 sherds of Early Iron Age pottery were recovered from this pit (1334g). An analysis of the pottery fragments concluded that the pottery is in a well preserved condition, with cross joining sherds that represent three of four vessels, probably jars or urns. The date range was broadly suggested at c.600-350 BC, with a probable date referenced at c.500-400 BC. [A full Pottery Report is available in Appendix 2 of the evaluation report]

An environmental analysis suggested low intensity domestic and crop processing activity on the site. (1)

<1> Archaeology Solutions LTD, 2015, An Archaeological Evaluation: The North School, Essella Road, Ashford, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31454.