Monument record MWX43158 - Cropmarks on Chalk Hill, west of Pegwell

Three sub-circular enclosures, 11 sub-circular cuts (pits), and 4 associated linear features, visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs of Chalk Hill.

The two larger enclosures are located less than 15m apart. The western enclosure measures 50m by 48m and has a possible east facing entrance measuring 4m. The width of the ditch varies between 1m and 4m. Within this enclosure are five sub-circular cuts, probable pit features, with diameters ranging from 2.3m to 6.2m. It is likely that these pits are associated with the enclosure, however without further intrusive investigation it is not possible to confirm this. The date of the enclosure and pit features is not known, however is likely to be either Late Bronze Age or Iron Age. This feature was mapped from a photograph taken in July 1988 [1] however the entrance was difficult to see, therefore an earlier photograph [2], that could not be rectified due to a lack of control points, was used to view the entrance better.

The eastern enclosure is oval in plan orientated NE-SW and measures 39m by 24m. A continuous ditch is present without an obvious entrance, with a general width of between 1m and 2.5m. The crops on the interior and slightly beyond the ditch, appear on aerial photographs to be darker and may indicate either there is a change in geology or the soil in this area is wetter. Descriptions on the AMIE records suggest that this enclosure may be a bomb crater, however it was not visible on any of the military aerial photographs analysed for this survey and would not explain the ditch that is visible as a crop mark. This feature was mapped using a photograph taken in August 1988 [3].

To the west of the central enclosure is a smaller oval enclosure without an entrance. Its internal measurements are 16m by 7.5m and the ditch width is around 1.5m. This feature was difficult to see from the aerial photographs.

To the north of the two larger enclosures are six sub-circular pits that range in diameter from 4m to 10m. One pit lies to the NW of the enclosures, whilst the other five are situated to the north and NE of the eastern enclosure. It is possible that these pits are associated with the enclosures, but would need further intrusive investigation to confirm this. These features have been mapped from a photograph taken in July 1988 [1].

A series of linears are visible around 60m west of the enclosures. Due to the irregularity of their layout it is difficult to understand their function, although they may be associated with the enclosures.

The AMIE record for this monument suggests that the features may be part of a Prehistoric farmstead.

See AMIE Monument Number 469474/NMR Number TR 36 SE 17 for more information regarding this monument - http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=469474

A photograph taken in 1982 [4] shows irregular curvilinear lines and striations in the field where these enclosures are located. These features are thought to be geological rather than archaeological and not associated with the archaeology in the area.

<1> Historic England Archive, 1920-2024, Historic England Archive Specialist oblique aerial photographs, NMR TR3064_08 18-JUL-1988 (Archive). SKE57106.

<2> Historic England Archive, 1920-2024, Historic England Archive Specialist oblique aerial photographs, NMR TR3564/1/324 16-JUL-1979 (Archive). SKE57106.

<3> Google.Com, 1960-2023, Earth.Google.Com orthophotography, EARTH.GOOGLE.COM MAR-2022 ACCESSED 19-DEC-2023 (Archive). SKE57111.