Monument record TQ 86 SE 357 - Later prehistoric pits and undated features, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne

A later prehistoric pit was identified at Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne during an evaluation carried out in 2021. The pit measured 1.2 x 0.66 x 0.35m and contained three fills which included burnt flint, sherds of prehistoric pottery (the majority of which date to the mid-late Bronze Age), and a dump of fire debris.

An excavation carried out in 2022 identified three further later prehistoric pits, dating from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. These features measured 0.9-1.64m x 0.9-1.64m x 0.05-0.2m and contained pottery fragments, and, in one case, charcoal and charred cereal grains (emmer and spelt wheat).
Trackway ditches were also located during the excavation, at least two of which were tentatively dated to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. These comprised two parallel ditches set 2m apart and measuring 14.5-21.5m in length which were associated with Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery and a flint flake. Another ditch recorded to the north west was interpreted (1) as potentially representing the continuation of one of the trackway ditches. This feature measured 71.5m in length, however, its date is unclear as the only artefact associated with it was fragment of fired clay.
Two more trackway ditches running for around 64m were located to the south of the later prehistoric trackway. However, the dating is again uncertain as the only associated artefact was a fragment of possibly Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery whch could be residual.

A number of undated features were also identified during the evaluation including ditches, pits, linear features, a post-hole, and gullies. (1)

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2021, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, Kent Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SKE55191.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2022, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, Kent, Post-excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design (Unpublished document). SKE57882.