Monument record TQ 77 NE 1051 - Probable 1st-4th century industrial settlement at Bromhey Farm, Cooling

Excavation by by the Lower Medway Arch.Res.Group between 1966 and 1967 suggests a late 1st century settlement with occupation lasting until the 3rd century. The field is to be developed in about 5 years time and excavation will continue.

(1) Area of excavations, 24.0m square, at TQ 76467673 abandoned for the winter. Spoil heaps littered with Ro-tile and dark grey ware sherds, oyster shells and quantities of briquetage. (2) (TQ 76467673) Investigation of salt boiling hearths, revealed large quantities of RB pottery, briquetage and coins of Gratian. The coins indicate late 4th century activity of the marshland. One of the hearths was surrounded by a chalk floor which had four piers of rammed chalk and flint arranged in a square round it. Possibly a building; or a structure connected with salt making. The occupation of the site is tentatively dated late 1st to 4th century (3-6). Additional references (7-9). For site in context with others in inter-tidal zone, see (10). Photographs (11-21).

Excavations at the site identified five phases of activity. The first phase was characterised by a mound over 50m in length and up to 3.3m in width which was constructed during the 1st century on pre-Roman saltings. This feature could have potentially functioned as a sea wall and may have led to a possible causeway to higher ground situated to the south of the site. Salt-manufacture was the main focus for activity during the 1st century, evidenced by the presence of a series of hearths and four brine tanks. Occupation-related evidence from the 1st century comprised the remains of huts with crushed briquetage floors, which were delineated by drip trenches which were lines with animal bones, likely originating from livestock such as sheep/goat. During the later 2nd century, parts of one building’s floor was dug out and a large storage jar containing a bowl and a dish were inserted into it, alongside a sand-lined pit containing an infant inhumation. Artefacts identified in this area of the site included a number of quern stone fragments.

During the 2nd century, repairs were carried out on the mound by adding clay, rubbish, and waste products from salt and pottery manufacture, which continued at the site during this time. The mound may also have been supported by stake revetments. Traces of rectangular huts were identified in the north-east corner of the mound, and a pit was excavated at the north-west corner, which was filled with a variety of artefacts. These included marine shells, vegetable matter, 1st century AD pottery, and a number of 2nd century miniature pots, which were interpreted (35) as potentially representing votive offerings.

Between the late 2nd and late 3rd century, salt and pottery manufacture continued at the site, with the pottery industry representing the main activity at the site during the early 3rd century, and salt making during the later 3rd century. Evidence for salt extraction comprised a hearth enclosed by a hut-like structure, alongside brine tanks. Coal was identified in occupation layers and a small pit dating to this phase of activity, alongside the drip-trench for a circular hut.
Occupation at the site had ended by the beginning of the 4th century, with the area reverting to open saltings. (information summarised from source, 35)

Historic England, Historic England Archive (Archive). SKE53801.

<1> OS 6" 1964 (OS Card Reference). SKE48373.

<2> F2 FGA 26-OCT-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43333.

<3> Kent A.R.,10,1967,5-6 (A.Miles & M.J.E.Syddell). (OS Card Reference). SKE45707.

<4> F3 ASP 25-NOV-69 (OS Card Reference). SKE43376.

<5> KAR 22 1970/71 38 (Miles and Syddell) (OS Card Reference). SKE45263.

<6> Arch Cant 85 1970 187-8 (OS Card Reference). SKE35809.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 77 NE 4 - June, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4200.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 77 NE 4 - October, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4201.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 77 NE 4 - November, 1969 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4202.

<10> Department of Archaeology, University of Reading, 1994, Inter-tidal archaeology in Kent, p 28 (Unpublished document). SWX9353.

<11> ROMAN REMAINS FROM FOUR GRAVES Types: BURIAL (Photograph). SKE368.

<12> KILN (Photograph). SKE372.

<13> KILN (POTTERY NO.2) EXCAVATED BY MR MUGERIDGE IN 1920'S. POTTERY SHOWN PROB. INCLUDES SOME VESSELS F (Photograph). SKE370.

<14> POTTERY FROM KILN (ARCHIVE) (Photograph). SKE2.

<15> KILN,POTTERY WITH SKULL (Photograph). SKE371.

<16> POTTERY (KILN) NO.1 (ANOTHER SITE AT TQ 7651 7673) NOT CLEAR IF NO'S 1-6 REFER TO KILNS OR ORIGINAL (Photograph). SKE4.

<17> KILN 4 (POTTERY NO.3) Personae: UNKNOWN PERSONS (Photograph). SKE6.

<18> (POTTERY) KILN NO.4 Personae: UNKNOWN PERSONS (Photograph). SKE5.

<19> KILN (Photograph). SKE517.

<20> KILN SITE (PKR ARCHIVE) (Photograph). SKE367.

<21> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9549.

<22> Arch Cant 45,1933 xlii (OS Card Reference). SKE35169.

<23> Kent Archaeological Society, 1930, Arch Cant 42 pp XLVIII (Bibliographic reference). SKE53800.

<24> Illustrated Lond. News. 24.12.1932 1026 photo. (OS Card Reference). SKE44209.

<25> F1 EG 25-JUN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42872.

<26> Arch Cant 85 1970 187-8 (OS Card Reference). SKE35809.

<27> Arch Cant 86 1971 242-3 (OS Card Reference). SKE35868.

<28> Arch Cant 87 1972 240 (Mrs PP Day) (OS Card Reference). SKE35914.

<29> Arch Cant 88 1973 207-8 (A Miles) (OS Card Reference). SKE35934.

<30> Lower Medway Arch Res Group Newsletter 34 1965 (OS Card Reference). SKE46186.

<31> Lower Medway Arch Res Grp Newsletter 55 1967 (A Miles and MJE Syddell) (OS Card Reference). SKE46190.

<32> AP (RAF 540/496 F 4172 (12.5.51) (OS Card Reference). SKE34097.

<33> Letter (R.F. Jessup 24.6.1928) (OS Card Reference). SKE46072.

<34> F. Mugeridge, Eastborough Bungalow, Cooling. (OS Card Reference). SKE41729.

<35> Alex Miles, 2004, Excavations on the Romano-British industrial site at Broomhey Farm, Cooling (Article in serial). SKE59009.