Monument record MWX43474 - WWII defences, north of Richborough fort

Two sections of slit trenching are visible as earthworks on 1940s RAF vertical aerial photographs [1].

The trenches are of castellated form and run along the cliff edge immediately north of Richborough fort. The northern section runs for 85m and there is then a gap of 40m after which the southern section runs southwards for a further 140m. The features are not visible on recent aerial photographs and appear to have been plough-levelled [2].

These are one of several WWII defensive features recorded around Richborough fort, see Related Monuments.

Sections of this feature were also mapped by the English Heritage: Richborough Environs Project. A fuller extent of the trenching was revealed by analysis of aerial photographs as part of the South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment and the subsequent transcription of this feature exists within a GIS layer held by this HER [3].

Historic england archive material: AF00055 Richborough Environs Project A 1:2500 scale air photographic survey of Richborough Roman fort and its environs was carried out as part of a Multi-disciplinary research project initiated by English Heritage Centre for Archaeology. The aim of the project was to establish the extent, morphology and complexity of the settlement in the area under active ploughing between the Saxon Shore fort and the amphitheatre. The combined results of the aerial survey, the geophysical surveys and small scale excavations undertaken by the CfA will be used to improve the interpretation, management and presentation of the site.
MD000152 Richborough Environs, TR 35 NW & TR 36 SW

<2> Next Perspectives consortium via English Heritage, 2003, 2007, Next Perspective PGA georeferenced aerial photograph data, Tile Ref:PGA_TR3260_2003-08-14 (Graphic material). SWX15711.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2009-10, South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions (Digital archive). SWX15705.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report (Unpublished document). SKE25955.

<3> Cornwall Council Historic Environment Projects and Gloucestershire County Council, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Components 1&2: Results of NMP Mapping (Unpublished document). SKE25954.