Monument record TQ 97 SW 1246 - Medieval pits, ditches, and structures, Barton Hill Drive, Isle of Sheppey

Medieval pits, ditches, and structures, alongside two post-medieval features were identified during an evaluation and watching brief carried out at Barton Hill Drive, Isle of Sheppey in 2018. Two phases of medieval occupation wre represented by features and finds at the site. The first phase of activity dated to 1100-1300 AD and was characterised by the excavation of pits and ditches at the site, whilst the second phase dated to 1350-1550 AD and comprised similar activity of pit digging and ditch cutting, alongside the construction of a probable building at the site. The structure was represented by a curvilinear ditch which could have functioned as a wall slot, associated with medieval pottery, whelk, and oyster shells.
The fills of many medieval features contained charred macroplants including cereals (barley, bread/club wheat, wheat, and oat), pea seeds, and weeds. A small quantity of animal remains were also recovered, some of which exhibited evidence for butchery.

Artefacts associated with medieval occupation of the site included pottery, ceramic building material, marine shell (probably locally sourced), and metal artefacts including a possible 14th-15th century copper alloy mount, a possible iron tenterhook, horseshoe fragments, a possible medieval coin, and a possible medieval lead spill. Another probable medieval artefact comprised a small asymmetrical bead, likely made from ivory, which was located within a context containing 1475-1550 AD pottery.

22 pieces of stone weighing a total of 14,832g were recovered from across the site. The majority of the stone appears to have been imported, and includes probable rotary quern fragments of German lava, and a fragment of Norwegian Ragstone. Local stone types include Kentish ragstone and Folkestone stone.

A number of other artefacts were recovered from the site which could date to the medieval period, however, the majority were undiagnostic, so may relate to earlier Roman activity (TQ 97 SW 1244) at the site. These included a perforated oyster shell, copper alloy loops (probably a dress accessory), iron and copper alloy artefacts including one fragment of metal working waste.

The features are likely to relate to agricultural and subsistence activity at the site. Analysis of the remains has led to the interpretation (1) that during the earlier phase of occupation, the site was located at the edge of a medieval rural settlement, with pits representing the disposal of domestic rubbish. Following a brief period of abandonment, another phase of occupation began; structures began to be built at the site, suggesting possible expansion of the settlement. Alongside this, evidence for trade networks can be seen in the artefactual assemblage, particularly the stone artefacts.
Two probable post-medieval pits were also identified during the excavations, suggesting that activity at the site continued following the medieval period. (1)

<1> AOC Archaeology Group, 2019, A2500 Lower Road – Barton Hill Drive, Phase 1, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, Post-Excavation Assessment Report (Unpublished document). SKE58124.