(Summarised from publication)

This large structure was located to the south west of the remains of the church of St. Martin-Le-Grand and, significantly, very close to the south west corner of the Saxon church (S14). The structure mainly consisted of a substantial area of orange-brown clay, sub-rectangular in plan and on an east-west axis with minimum internal dimensions are 10.25m (E-W) by 4.17m (N-S). There were also three post holes, 37 stake holes representing internal divisions and a beam slot. The structure and overlying soil deposits were eventually sealed by a metalled surface which dates to the 11th-12th century.

The clay floor was of a brick-earth type clay, brought to the site from elsewhere, and it seems likely that the floor would have originally formed a continuous, thick layer with well-defined edges. Little evidence of the associated superstructure was detected, it is likely that to two post holes on the northern side represent the location of the northern wall and the third central post hole may have contained a post which would have helped support the roof. The 37 stake holes divide the structure internally into three almost identical parts. In the centre of the west end of the structure were three possible hearths which showed patches of black clay where the floor had been burnt hard by intensive heat, all three were covered by a thin layer of black ash. A line of burnt daub was recovered, running down the centre of the structure at its eastern end, this may represent the residue of a burnt wall. Little in the way of dating evidence may be certainly attributed to this structure but a broad date of between the 7th and 9th centuries may be suggested. (1)

In 2018, Gabor Thomas published an article reinterpreting and comparing the mead-halls at Lyminge and early medieval halls excavated at Dover and Eynsford. The paper argues that this building is part of a complex of halls similar to the others, which had a realistic lifespan of 100-120 years from the early 7th century. (3)

<1> Brian Philp., 2003, The Discovery and Excavation of Anglo Saxon Dover (Monograph). SKE31831.

<2> Routledge Taylor and Francis Group, 2018, Mead-Halls of the Oicingas, A new Kentish perspective on the Anglo-Saxon Great Hall complex phenomenon (Unpublished document). SKE53121.