Excavation in 2000-2002 carried out as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link found a pit alignment immediately north of the 'portico' building. The alignment consisted of seven pits over a 22m distance in a line running directly at the ritual pool that was the focus of the Springhead complex. The pits, which may not have all been contemporary, contained pottery (mostly 1st/2nd century although in one pit at least depoistion continued into the early 3rd century), an incomplete copper alloy bow brooch, an incomplete copper ally Colchester brooh, dog burials (at least 16) and other animal bone, including a horse skull (1 and 2).

<1> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2010, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape (Monograph). SKE31245.

<2> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 2: Late Iron Age to Roman Finds Reports (Monograph). SKE32435.