In 2008 a trial trenching evaluation was carried out at Horsewash Lane in advance of possible development. 10 trenches were excavated in total. In trench 9 a buried soil of probable neolithic date was discovered together with an assemblage of struck flints.

In trench 9 "Deposit 9/03 was overlain by 9/04 observed in a slot toward the southeast of the trench. Deposit 9/04 comprised an orangey brown to dirty grey brown fine sandy silt and has been interpreted as a buried soil horizon and was observed to a height of 2.80m OD. This soil horizon contained early Neolithic worked flint and a single Roman pottery sherd." The assemblage consisted of flakes, blades a bladelet, fragments and chips and was dated to the early neolithic period. (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2008, An Archaeological Evaluation at PB Site, Horse Wash Lane, Rochester (Unpublished document). SKE31443.