Monument record TQ 77 NE 1021 - The slight earthwork remains of two mounds on Cooling Marshes, possibly medieval saltern mounds, can be seen on aerial photographs taken in 1953

Pattern of drainage indicates enclosure - identified as sheepfold on 1st Ed. OS (1). Photographs (2,3).

The slight earthwork remains of two mounds, possibly medieval saltern mounds can be seen on aerial photographs taken in 1953. These mounds are situated on Cooling Marshes at TQ 7591 7718 and TQ 7586 7720. The area within which these mounds are positioned is enclosed by a series of drains. The western mound was also the site for a post medieval sheep fold (see NMR 1534892). There was also a narrow hollow way between the two mounds. These mounds represent the discarded waste material from salt manufacture, a process - known as sleeching - in which brine was extracted from salt-rich sands and sediments, concentrated and evaporated. The depressions at the eastern end may mark the site of the original building. Sites such as this could no longer operate once sea walls were constructed converting this area to fresh marsh but, as the sheep fold indicates, these sites often became the focus for later building. Both mounds appear to have been levelled. This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.(4-5)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875 (Map). SWX11831.

<2> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10019.

<3> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9549.

<4> RAF CPE/UK 1923 F4030 (16-01-47) (OS Card Reference). SKE48955.

<5> Royal Air Force, 1953, RAF 82/713 509-510 6-FEB-1953 (Photograph). SKE58593.

<6> Historic England, Historic England Archive (Archive). SKE58567.