Monument record TQ 65 NE 489 - Medieval building, floor, and pits, 71-73 High Street, West Malling

Medieval features including a possible building, pits, and a floor surface, were identified during an evaluation carried out at 71-73 High Street, West Malling in 2016.

A medieval or early post-medieval floor surface was identified in one of the trenches; this layer was associated with an occupation deposit. These layers were overlain by a demolition deposit containing material including pottery and roof tile dating to 1550-1625 AD, suggesting that the floor surface and occupation layer formed prior to this period. The presence of stone masonry blocks uncovered during the excavation are interpreted as implying the presence of a medieval building at the site. The floor could be associated with this structure or a nearby contemporary building.
Two pits were also excavated, the fills of which included bone, oyster shell, medieval and post-medieval pottery, mortar, and tile fragments. (1)

A subsequient archaeological excavation revealed evidence of medieval and post-medieval settlement, broadly dated by ceramic assemblages to between AD 1050 and AD 1750. Investigations confirmed the presence of pits, postholes, and cesspits from these periods, along with a possible medieval stone-built cellar and an ice house. These features may represent part of an extra-mural structure associated with St Mary’s Abbey to the east. No evidence of earlier prehistoric or Roman activity was identified.(2)

<1> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2016, Archaeological Evaluation Of Land To The Rear Of 71-73 High Street, West Malling, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE56740.

<2> Swale and Thames Survey Company, 2017, Archaeological excavation of land to the rear of 71-73 High Street, West Malling Kent (Unpublished document). SKE52347.