Monument record MWX43591 - Cropmarks between the Sandwich Bay Estate and the North Stream

Summary

An extensive area of cropmarks is visible lying in fields between the Sandwich Bay Estate and the North Stream on aerial photographs taken in 1996 and 2001. The cropmarks form complex overlapping patterns and visible over an area measuring c.800m (NW-SE) by c.250m (NE-SW). They include interlinked subrectangular enclosures, curvilinear trackways, smaller subcircular and subrectangular enclosures and possible field boundaries. At least two phases of enclosure system may be represented since some of the subrectangular ditched enclosures appear to be crossed by the curvilinear trackways. The cropmarks are similar in morphology to enclosure systems of later prehistoric and/or Romano-British date. It is possible that settlement activity may be indicated within the systems by the presence of smaller enclosures.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 35655 56991 (584m by 698m)
Map sheet TR35NE
County KENT
District DOVER, KENT
Civil Parish WORTH, DOVER, KENT

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

An extensive area of cropmarks is visible lying in fields between the Sandwich Bay Estate and the North Stream on oblique aerial photographs taken in 1996 and 2001 [1-3].

The cropmarks form complex overlapping patterns and their interpretation is further hampered by localised areas of "reversal" within the cropmarks (whereby ditched features produce marks usually produced by banks and vice versa). The features are intermittently visible over an area measuring c.800m (NW-SE) by c.250m (NE-SW) and include large interlinked subrectangular ditched enclosures, curvilinear trackways, smaller (c.21m across maximum) subcircular and subrectangular enclosures and possible field boundaries. It is likely that at least two phases of enclosure system are represented since some of the subrectangular ditched enclosures appear to be crossed by the curvilinear trackways.

Although undated, the cropmarks are similar in morphology to enclosure systems of later prehistoric and/or Romano-British date. It is possible that settlement activity may be indicated within the systems by the presence of smaller enclosures.

A transcription of the features recorded from aerial photography exists within a GIS layer held by this HER [4].


<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2009-10, South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions (Digital archive). SWX15705.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report (Unpublished document). SKE25955.

<4> 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.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <4> Unpublished document: 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.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 2011. South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report.
  • <4> Digital archive: Wessex Archaeology. 2009-10. South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Ref: 71330) (EWX10065)

Record last edited

Aug 9 2016 10:57AM