An archaeological excavation was carried out by Archaeology South-East at land off Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent between 22th June and 28th July 2015 in advance of housing development on the site. The earliest activity is represented by two pits and a possible enclosure, which are uncertainly dated but attributable to the pre-Middle Bronze Age periods. The most significant archaeology discovered was from the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period. This period is represented by evolving field systems, a possible droveway and another enclosure possibly suggesting settlement.

From the report

"Period 1: Pre-Middle Bronze Age - Before BC1500
- Enclosure 1 which appears to be one of the earliest features on site and contained a pre-middle bronze age composite flint. The enclousre is roughly 50 metres long in total and contained a signle fill throughout. It runs from the southern end of the excavation in a south-north direction before turning west and terminating."

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2016, POST-EXCAVATION ASSESSMENT AND UPDATED PROJECT DESIGN REPORT, LAND OFF HERMITAGE LANE, MAIDSTONE, KENT (Unpublished document). SKE31679.