Kemsley, nr. Sittingbourne, Kent (KT-RID04)
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Clients: Taylor Woodrow Developments Ltd and George Wimpey South London Ltd
Author: Robin Nielsen
Site supervisor: Tony Mackinder
Archaeological investigation, consisting of the stripping of an area of c. 6 ha and excavation of the features revealed, took place prior to a large housing development for Taylor Woodrow Developments Limited and George Wimpey South London Ltd. The site was adjacent to the Milton and Kemsley Distributor Road Site (AR 2004) and took place over the winter of 2004/5.
Evidence for prehistoric, Roman and medieval settlement was found on the site. Neolithic pottery and flint artefacts may relate to the important Neolithic site found at nearby Grovehurst in the late 19th century. Several features of Late Bronze Age date, and scattered flint artefacts of the same period were also found. On the highest point of the site there were four penannular ditches representing the eaves drip gullies of Middle Iron Age roundhouses. There was also a four-post structure. Other features of this date included ditches, a hearth, a cremation burial and small brickearth quarries.
Although Roman pits and ditches were found, there was no structural evidence from this period. There were large numbers of 12/13th century features - the nearby moated site known as Castle Rough is of slightly later date. Two stone-built buildings, one probably agricultural in purpose, may also be of medieval origin.
This site report is extracted from MoLAS 2005: annual review
