In 1997 the NMR identified a series of interrupted cropmarks in Burham as a possible Neolithic causewayed enclosure. The features appear to comprise two parallel, curved lines of ditches which are between 12m-15m apart and approximately 140m long. The run in a n-w direction for 50m before changing direction in a smooth curve towards the n-e. The ditches range in size from 7m to 28m and are sepreated by narrow causeways 2m-6m across. (1)

Two parallel lines of interupted ditches, 15 metres apart, seen on 1990 and 1999 aerial photographs. The cropmarks start at 571946 162482 and are visible for a length of 90 metres, angled North-North-East to South-South-East, to 572007 162380.This may form the other side of the enclosure. It is unknown if the large feature centred at 57189 16238 is natural, connected with the enclosure or an archaeological feature connected with another archaeological site (TQ 76 SW 53).(2-3)

Description from record TQ 76 SW 440:
Neolithic causewayed enclosure east of Margetts Lane, Burham, visible as a cropmark in an aerial photo of 1990 (and earlier images (1-2)).

In 2007 a programme of fieldwalking and geophysical survey was carried out at the site. The magnetometry survey identified two parallel curvilinear alignments of pits or ditches which may define a Neolithic causewayed enclosure - also seen on the earlier aerial photograph. This suggested the enclosure might be ovate in plan with dimensions of c. 250m (east-west) x 170m (north-south) (4)

Additional geophysical (magnetometer) survey was carried out in 2009 by Birmingham Archaeology as part of the Medway Valley prehistoric Landscapes Project. This covered the enclosure and the area immedaitely to the west towards the river Medway. The survey defined the form of the enclosure and revelaed a possible long mortuary enclosure or long barrow immediately outside the ditch to the south. The survey also revealed the presence of a probable later prehistoric co-axial field system that ran across the enclosure and a series of later ditches probably associated with the Roman and medieval settlement to the north. (5)

Historic England archive material: 1082777 Burham, Kent/ink AP transcription
1082780 Burham, Kent/report
AF1068063 RCHME: Burham Enclosure Project Photographic transcription of the site was undertaken in January 1997 by the RCHME Aerial Survey Section, Swindon, as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project.Contents : Report, AP transcription, 3 computer plots, 2 record sheets, miscellaneous research materialCondition : INTACT
RCH01/113 Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Period In August 1994 staff from the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England began a 3 year national project recording sites and monuments connected to industry and enclosure of the Neolithic period. 51 sites, where flint mining occurred and 113 enclosures were recorded for the project, resulting in two separate publications.

Birmingham Archaeology, 2009, Burham causewayed enclosure, Burham, Kent: Geophysical Survey, 2009 (Unpublished document). SKE29269.

<1> AP (NMR APU TQ 7161/5; 17 7 78) (OS Card Reference). SKE33522.

<1> National Monuments Record, 1997, Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic: Possible Neolithic Causewayed Enclosures (Unpublished document). SKE6569.

<2> Infoterra Ltd, 1990, 2590 Run 13 Photo 917, Run 13 Photo 917 (Photograph (Print)). SKE8354.

<3> Aerofilms Ltd, 1999, UKP 005 Block3 Run 11 6319 (Photograph (Print)). SKE8355.

<4> Archaeological Services & Consultancy Limited, 2007, Fieldwalking and Geophysical Surveys: Land near Margetts Pit, Burham, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE15661.

<5> Birmingham Archaeology, 2009, Burham causewayed enclosure, Burham, Kent: Geophysical Survey, 2009 (Unpublished document). SKE29269.