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Wessex Archaeology, Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, SP4 6EB
Front cover: Aerial view of the East Kent Access Phase 2 road under construction (view from south); Iron Age horse burial, Late Bronze Age gold bracelets, Roman dish with pig bone and Anglo-Saxon
triple burial.
Back cover: Open day in Zone 23visitors viewing one of the Early Bronze Age ring ditches.
Oxford Archaeology Ltd is a company limited by guarantee registered in England, company number 1618597. It is a Charity registered in England and Wales, number 285627.
Our registered office is at Janus House, Osney Mead, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 0ES.
Wessex Archaeology Ltd is a company limited by guarantee registered in England, company number 1712772. It is a Charity registered in England and Wales, number 287786 and in Scotland, Scottish
Charity number SC042630.
Our registered office is at Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6EB.
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 1
Introduction
The work, carried out on behalf of Kent
County Council was the biggest archaeological
Manston
excavation in the UK in 2010. It was undertaken
Telegraph Hill to a very tight schedule, only made possible by
Zone 25
Zone 22 Zone 21a Manston Airport the close cooperation between the principal
Zone Zone 29
24 Zone 23 A253
parties involved, comprising construction
Zone 19
Zone 21
Zone 20 Zone 20a Zone 18 team Volkerfitzpatrick Hochtief who appointed
Zone 19a Hollins
OWA as the archaeological contractor, Atkins
Zone 18a Zone 17 Ramsgate who were responsible for the delivery of
Bottom
Foads Hill Zone 16 the archaeological works, KCC Heritage
Zone 14
Zone 13
Zone 15 Conservation who monitored the works, and
Zone 11
B2048
Zone 12
Aerial photograph showing Cliffs End spur in foreground Jacobs who acted as project managers for the
Sevenscore (Zones 1315) and chalk ridge in background (Zones 1720), road scheme.
Zone 26
Zone 28 with Manston airport in upper right hand corner and the
Zone 10
Minster
Thames Estuary beyond (view from east)
F o rmer coa
Zone 10a Cliffs End Community outreach formed an important and
stli
ne Cottington Hill Zone 9 The new road runs eastwards along the chalk integral part of the project from the outset,
Zone 8 ridge occupied by Manston Airport, then and the investigation of one of the Early
0 1 km southwards down the scarp slope and onto Bronze Age ring ditches was undertaken as a
Zone 7 the low-lying Ebbsfleet peninsula, a spur of community excavation using volunteer staff
land projecting south into the former Wantsum under archaeological supervision. In addition,
Pegwell Bay
Zone 6 Channel, with a branch of the road continuing a wide-ranging programme of events including
56
Birmingham Norwich eastwards north of Cliffs End. Thanet, open days, school visits, roadshows and public
A2
Zone 5
Zone 4 Ebbsfleet effectively an island from the Early Bronze talks was organised, engaging with thousands
Peninsula
Oxford
Age until the 15th century AD, is now joined of local people.
Zone 3 to the mainland following the silting up and
The Site River Stou
London r reclamation of the Wantsum Channel. Excavations in progress in Zone 13, immediately ahead of rail
Zone 2 tunnel approach works (view from west)
Zone 1
Richborough Port
For thousands of years East Kent has been a 6.5-kilometre route. These revealed a wealth
gateway for new peoples, new cultures, new of archaeological evidence spanning the
ideas and for trade. Kent County Councils (KCC) Palaeolithic to the Second World War.
construction of a new road link, the second
phase of the East Kent Access (EKA2), on Because this landscape was known to be rich
the south side of the Isle of Thanet provided in archaeological remains the decision was
a rare opportunity to undertake large-scale taken at the planning stage to excavate the
investigations of this important archaeological entire route (divided into 28 Zones), without
landscape. preliminary large-scale evaluation trenching.
This approach has allowed a far better
The Oxford Wessex Archaeology (OWA) understanding of the nature and development
joint venture, at times involving over 150 of the landscapes settlement to be gained than
archaeologists, undertook a series of would have been possible through a series of
excavations, covering 48 hectares, along the more piecemeal excavations.
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 2
While the majority of the known barrows were The smaller adjacent barrow had been
sited on relatively high ground on the chalk destroyed on one side by a railway cutting and
ridge, five of those revealed were at lower was therefore only partly exposed. It comprised
levels within the landscape. The most southerly an outer ring ditch and an internal penannular
of these, on a slight knoll on the Ebbsfleet ditch, 14 m in diameter, open to the south. At
peninsula (in Zone 3), comprised a wide outer least eight graves seven inhumations and
penannular ditch open towards the north-east, one cremation grave were exposed, with two,
and a narrower inner ring ditch 8 m in diameter. both of adults, cutting the inner ditch, and the
There was a central oval pit but it contained others, mostly of infants and juveniles, between
no human bone. In some barrows, the graves the ditches. The earliest was an unurned
may have been dug into the now ploughed-out cremation burial, dated to 20301770 cal BC,
mounds and so have not survived. while two of the inhumations may have been
of Middle rather than Early Bronze Age date.
A pair of adjacent double ring ditches, 8 m The only grave goods, from a childs grave,
apart, were exposed on Cottington Hill (in comprised two tiny fragments of gold sheet and
Zone 8), at the northern end of the peninsula. a small blue faience bead.
Although that to the south had several pits
in its interior, no graves were identified.
However, fragments of cremated human bone
were recovered from dumps of charcoal-rich
material in the outer ditch, the source of which
Top: Beginning of the community excavation in Zone 23,
is unclear. Only the north-western edge of the following cleaning of one of the Early Bronze Age ring ditches
adjacent monument was exposed, and very (view from north)
little of its interior.
Bottom: Early Bronze Age ring ditches in Zone 8 on Cottington
Hill (view from west)
Part of what appeared to be an oval ring ditch
was revealed in Zone 10, its projected line
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 4
Later Bronze Age to Early Iron Age farming and settlement (1500400 BC)
The excavations provided important evidence, In contrast to the extensive fields and
previously largely absent on Thanet, for the droveways, Late Bronze Age settlement
large-scale organisation and permanent evidence was generally ephemeral, and
settlement of the landscape during the later typically inferred from domestic debris in pits
Bronze Age, and a corresponding decrease and ditches. Apart from a rectangular post-
in its funerary character. These processes built structure in Zone 4, few clear houses
accelerated during the Early Iron Age. were identified among the small numbers of
postholes recorded. Nonetheless, it is clear that
There was only limited evidence for Middle settlements stood in all areas of the landscape,
Bronze Age field systems, but an extensive either unenclosed or within small compounds
Late Bronze Age coaxial field system defined among the field systems. An exception was a
by similarly aligned ditches was found on the more substantial enclosure partly revealed in
south-facing slopes of Cottington Hill and Zone 19 on the chalk ridge, defined by sections
on the Ebbsfleet peninsula (in Zones 6 and of ditch of varying length but all approximately
7), and at Sevenscore and Cliffs End. The a metre deep.
absence of comparable features along the
chalk ridge suggests that the higher ground A further indication of settled occupation of the
may still have been used as open pasture. landscape was the small cremation cemetery
Associated trackways and gaps in some of the in Zone 4, located close to a 5 m-diameter
field boundaries probably facilitated the control ring ditch (of probable Late Neolithic or
and movement of livestock, as may a number Early Bronze Age date) and to the south of
of small enclosures which produced no clear contemporary settlement remains which
evidence for settlement. Animal husbandry is included enclosure and droveway ditches.
also indicated by the recovery of increasing Eleven features contained sufficient cremated
quantities of cattle and sheep/goat bone, bone to be considered unurned burials, of
mainly from Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age individuals ranging from infant to adults, or pyre
features. debris. Other more isolated graves of this date,
containing both cremation and inhumation
In addition, the presence of charred plant burials, were found at other locations along
remains, including emmer wheat and barley, the route.
indicate cereal cultivation, presumably on
the drier more elevated areas of the landscape.
Despite its location, there was little evidence
in this period for the exploitation of marine
resources.
5m
5 (x9)
Ebbsfleet Lane
6 later part of the Ewart Park metalworking stage
8
Wa n
tsum of the Bronze Age (c. 920800 BC). In addition,
Chann
el there was a spread of bronze fragments in the Pair of Late Bronze Age penannular gold bracelets
7 same area possibly deriving from a further,
0 5 km II dispersed hoard. These finds are amongst a cluster of at least
seven hoards now known from this part of the
Such collections of broken material (often Ebbsfleet peninsula, nearly all of which lie in a
referred to as Carps Tongue hoards based low-lying and seasonally flooded area, to the
9m
on the shape of the swords) have frequently south of the low hill at Ebbsfleet Farm where
)
ad
been interpreted as founders hoards, the largest hoard of at least 181 pieces was
Ro
Ebbsfleet Farm
VIII
comprising scrap metal buried for safe keeping found in 1892, and within 100 m of the sea.
ate
I
sg
VII
by metalworkers, and therefore not principally It is possible that they derive from shipments
am
III IV VI
h/R
V
votive in character. However, there is no clear of material imported from France. As one of
wic
evidence for contemporary metalworking in the landfalls for the shortest crossings from
nd
Fo
rm
(Sa
er the area. Moreover, the two gold bracelets, the Continent, the peninsula may have had
26
sh
ore
complete and undamaged, can hardly be a special role in this trade and also a ritual
A5
Weatherlees Hill
lin
considered as scrap, yet they were deposited significance. Wet or watery locations were often
e
8m
in the same way and in the same area as the chosen for the deposition of metalwork hoards.
bronzes, in shallow pits or perhaps in bags
placed on the surface and covered with soil. Although this localised concentration of hoards
5m
r
ou
0 500 m
St
1. Minnis Bay, Birchington; 2. Shuart, St Nicholas-at-Wade; western shore of the Wantsum Channel, as
3. Monkton Court Farm, Minster; 4. Abbey Farm, Minster; well as more widely on either side of the
R.
EarlyMiddle Iron Age trapezoidal enclosure and surrounding pit complexes in Zone 13, overlaying Early Bronze Age ring ditch
(view from south)
The most significant EarlyMiddle Iron Age views on a clear day to the coast of France. The
site was on a promontory of high ground at building was filled with dumped layers
Cliffs End (in Zone 13), overlooking Pegwell containing apparently domestic refuse, Pits
Bay. It included a large trapezoidal enclosure, including pottery of mainly EarlyMiddle Iron
over 80 m long and 3250 m wide, with broad Age date, animal bone, shell and fired clay, as Fence
Sunken-featured
deep ditches and an entrance in its narrower well as single objects of iron and stone. There building
eastern end. It was built partly over a Bronze was also a redeposited Early Bronze Age skull Ramp down
Age ring ditch (and earlier possible hengiform probably derived from the round barrow, but Horse burial
monument), but there were no indications that which may not have simply represented a
there had been any barrow mound surviving chance discovery in a later period. It may, for
at the time of its construction this may have example, have had a symbolic or ritual function.
been deliberately levelled at the time. Granary
There were also a small number of pits
There was a large sunken-featured building, inside the enclosure as well as two groups of Fence?
approximately 6.5 m square, in the north- postholes, one of which includes a probably
western corner of the enclosure. It was up to square four-post structure, a form often Pits
0.8 m deep with a flat base and vertical sides, associated with grain storage. There were
and had a ramp, flanked by postholes, leading further post-built structures in the area
down into it on the south-western side; there surrounding the enclosure, as well as probable Entrance
were further postholes at two of its corners. grain storage pits, complexes of quarries and
Prehistoric examples of sunken-featured numerous other pits, again all used ultimately
buildings are rare and appear to be unique to for the disposal of domestic rubbish. Several of
Thanet, but nothing quite like this one has been the pits also contained burials, including that of
Pits Enclo
found so far on the island. a horse, a rare and very likely significant deposit sure
ditch
at this early date.
It is unclear whether the purpose and
significance of the building (and the enclosure) Early to Middle Iron Age feature
was related in any way to the earlier monument 0 20m
perhaps it was simply the location, with Right: Plan of trapezoidal enclosure
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 8
Right: Roundhouse
reconstruction
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 9
5m
A number of lengths of a substantial ditch, (his Commentaries on the Gallic War), the 10m
recorded on different orientations at locations precise sites in East Kent where Caesars fleet
5m
Zone 7
at least 600 m apart, may define the north and landed remain unknown. It is possible that
south sides of a large but short-lived defensive this defensive earthwork provided a suitably
enclosure. On average the ditch was 56 m defensible land base from which the ships 2015 geophysical
survey
wide and approximately 2 m deep, with sides could also be protected in his second
angled at 45 and a flat base, though there incursion in 54 BC. 2005 pipeline
were no surviving remains of an associated Zone 6 (Ebbsfleet Lane)
rampart. The defences appear to have been completely
infilled, and the enclosure gone out of use
Radiocarbon dating suggests that the ditch before the Claudian invasion of 43 AD, although
was probably constructed in the 1st century they were subsequently recut by a substantial 9m
BC, but it has no ready parallels among British V-shaped ditch of early Roman date, perhaps Projected line Ebbsfleet
of defences Hill
Iron Age sites. It does have parallels, however, associated with this later invasion when nearby
with the Roman outer siege defences built by Richborough is thought to have been the focus
Julius Caesar in 52 BC at Alsia in Gaul (modern of early operations. Only further work will reveal
France), and other contemporary Roman more about the early enclosure and determine Zone 4 and
examples. At the same time, it appears from the whether it was built as part of Caesars British 2005 Ebbsfleet Compound
stratigraphic, ceramic and coin evidence that expeditions (see page 20).
Weatherlees Pond
Iron Age activity on the peninsula decreased
Su
gg
est
ed
for
5 m
me
r
8m
sho
rel
ine
0 500 m
Left: Overview of Iron AgeRomano-British settlement in Zone Above: The 1st-century BC enclosure on the Ebbsfleet
6, with Zones 15 on the Ebbsfleet peninsula beyond; River peninsula, shown in relation to probable former shoreline
Stour, Deal Spit, Pegwell Bay and the Channel top left. The
extent of green vegetation corresponds approximately with Inset: The substantial ditch and subsequent Roman recut,
former areas of open water or marsh, with the cooling towers exposed in Zone 6 (view from west)
next to the mouth of the Wantsum Channel; the circuit of the
1st century BC enclosure is indicated by a dashed line
(view from north-west)
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 10
E
E
E
E
Grave
Settlement
boundary ditch
896
215193
4030
4031 4030 4029
4031
4030
Pottery
0 200 mm
0 500 mm
896
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 12
Romano-British cemeteries
Late Iron Ageearly Roman double burial in Zone 4 Burial accompanied by three bronze bangles in Zone 19
All or parts of five small cemeteries, together buried but others appearing to have been less The cemetery in Zone 10 was clearly bounded cremation deposit covered by large parts of an
containing 33 cremation burials and 38 ceremoniously disposed of in ditches, pits and by broadly contemporary ditches, enclosing amphora. The other was the only example of
inhumations, were examined. Four of them were abandoned sunken-featured buildings, and in an area 18 m eastwest by 8 m northsouth. decapitation of an adult possible female, with
on the chalk ridge (three in Zone 19 and one many cases the remains were fragmentary. Most of its eight inhumation graves were the skull placed between the outstretched legs.
in Zone 20), and one on lower lying ground to aligned northsouth, and the cremation
the north of Cottington Hill (in Zone 10). Other, None of the cemeteries on the chalk ridge was graves were concentrated in the western
smaller groups and a few isolated burials were formally enclosed, although they may have part of the cemetery. The burials comprised
also found. been located in relation to existing boundaries, both sexes and a range of ages neonates,
in particular several trackways which followed juveniles, subadults and adults. The cremation
The western cemetery in Zone 19 contained or branched off from the spine of higher burials were all urned, and all but two of the
only inhumation graves, and could be of ground. In the main cemetery in Zone 19 all inhumations, four of which were in coffins, were
entirely pre-Roman Iron Age date the few the earliest graves (some dating to the first half accompanied by grave goods including pottery
finds indicate burial early in the 1st century of the 1st century AD) contained cremation vessels, a necklace of glass and jet beads and
AD. The others were mixed rite, with most of burials, perhaps indicating a particular burial a coin. Apart from pottery, the range of grave
the Romano-British burials being of early and tradition which appears to have continued goods in this and the other cemeteries was
middle Roman date, and only few dating to later into the 2nd3rd century. Most of the graves relatively limited.
in the period. Other small groups of burials also contained one or more pots that would
were encountered elsewhere, totalling a further originally have held food or drink for the recently Also in the cemetery in Zone 10 were two
six cremation burials and 34 inhumations. deceased, along with personal items such as unusual burials. One grave contained a prone Pottery vessels in an early Roman cremation grave in Zone 11
The treatment of neonates varied, with some brooches. burial of a young adult woman buried face
of these newly-born individuals being formally down with, at her feet, an apparently token
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 13
Romano-British finds
Pottery, as is normal, was the most commonly Stone was mostly used for rotary querns to
occurring Roman find, the earlier material up grind cereals, these comprising a variety
to c. AD 70 characterised by Belgic wares of materials including Folkestone Beds
and continuity from the Late Iron Age rather Greensand, Hertfordshire Puddingstone,
than change, with most vessels wheel-made (or Millstone Grit and volcanic lava from the Eifel
finished). Also present were imitation Gallo- Mountains region of Germany.
Belgic forms reflecting increased cross-Channel
0 100 mm
contacts and early imports of wine amphorae Coins were mostly of small denomination,
from the Mediterranean region. Other, slightly probably lost in everyday use, with the largest
later imports included mortaria and flagons number 89 from the settlement in
from northern France, while various amphorae Zone 6. However, a small hoard of five silver
indicated the use of olive oil, fish-based denarii were found nearby on the edge of the
products and olives, as well as wine, during the settlement.
late 1st and early/mid-2nd century. There were Quernstones and an
few early examples of samian, with most of the A variety of metalwork was recovered, most of unusual decorated chalk
South Gaulish material dating to after the tools, structural and household items of possible pestle
c. AD 70. In the 2nd century much of the iron and most of the personal objects of copper
samian was from Lezoux, with other imports alloy. The few weapons included at least one
including Cologne colour-coated wares and arrowhead, while amongst the tools were a
Moselkeramic beakers. More local ceramic tanners two-handed draw knife, leatherworking
production is indicated by increasing quantities knives and an awl, and a woodworkers mortice
of sandy greyware from the Thameside industry chisel. There was surprisingly little ironworking
and nearby sources, and by the late 1st century slag but a billet of iron and a paring hammer
from the Canterbury kilns. provide evidence for smithing, perhaps used by
an itinerant blacksmith. There was also part of
The Romano-British pottery is notable for the a steelyard, possibly for weighing agricultural 0 250 mm
individual grave groups containing a variety produce. Agricultural tools included a reaping
of vessels, sometimes as containers for hook and a ploughshare, while a complete iron
the cremated bone, and also for the use of wheel rim a very unusual find is probably
birch bark tar for repair, a practice recorded from a cart. Structural and household items
elsewhere in Kent. included many nails and building fittings, keys
and chain links, with numerous knives that
There was comparatively little roofing tile, flue could be used for a multitude of purposes.
tile and brick, the evidence indicating that most
of the buildings were constructed of timber, Finally, personal items mainly dress 0 200 mm
wattle and daub with thatched roofs. Only a few accessories worn by women were common,
more substantial buildings are known locally, particularly in graves. These included brooches,
such as the villa at Minster, however small bracelets and armlets, finger-rings, hairpins,
amounts of brick and tile were used in hearths toilet items such as nail cleaners and ear
and ovens. scoops, and beads.
Salt production was evident from the presence Above: Middle Roman dish containing pig bone (upper
foreleg), from a grave in Zone 10
of briquetage, but this distinctive clay debris
from evaporating vessels and related boiling Top right: Iron Age (and later) trackway in Zone 6, the metalled
equipment was present in quantities that surface strewn with butchered animal bone (view from north-
west)
suggest only small-scale, cottage industry in the
Iron Age. There was an increase in production Bottom right: EarlyMiddle Iron Age horse burial in pit next to
in the Roman period, but this may simply reflect trapezoidal enclosure in Zone 13 (view from west)
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 15
This settlement evidence is enhanced by Above: Triple burial in grave 136111 (Zone 19; view from east)
the presence of three probably broadly Right: Wheel ruts of an Anglo-Saxon trackway running along
contemporary inhumation cemeteries, each the chalk ridge in Zone 19 (view from east)
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 16
Riv e r S
Thanet Earth Broadstairs
the features were ditches, forming a series fields to improve their fertility. Thin spreads A253 (19945)
to
of fields and enclosures, with more than of finds, such as coins, clay tobacco pipe and
ur
Sarre
Dunstre
one phase represented at the southern pottery, can be largely attributed to casual terb
ury ay
Minster te
Ramsgate
Ca
n ew
farmstead, but only a single main phase at the losses or the manuring of fields. Enclosure ditches Ca
us
1 EF
Pegwell Bay
northern. The fields were probably associated Wants
WH 2
um C
with animal husbandry, with a few pits, and Modern remains were also very sparse. The hann
el
postholes probably defining fence lines or other footings of a small building, in Zone 23 to
insubstantial structures. Medieval settlements the north of Minster, were the remains of an R
3 SB DS
on Thanet were generally small and dispersed. isolation ward of a hospital which occupied the Stonar
former Isle Of Thanet Workhouse, built in 1836 Sandwich
This phase of settlement was broadly to house up to 400 inmates. The hospital was
0 5 km Lydden
contemporary with land reclamation within finally demolished in 1989. Valley
the rapidly silting Wantsum Channel, which by
the end of this period is likely to have largely The other main remains comprised a network of Trackway
Medieval bank
comprised salt marsh. The first extensive World War II zig-zag trenches, dug for defence
1 Abbots Wall
reclamation works were undertaken under around the southern perimeter of Manston 2 Boarded Groin
the control of the Abbeys of St Augustine and Airfield (in Zones 1820). This was an important Farmhouse
3 Monks Wall
probably here
Christ Church, Canterbury in the 12th and 13th front-line fighter base, being located close to DS Deal Spit
centuries, who built the nearby earthen banks the Thames which provided the main route of Zone 3 SB Stonar Bank
EF Ebbsfleet Farm
which survive as the Monks Wall, Abbotts Wall enemy attack on London. Slight remains of
R Richborough
and the Boarded Groin. Today all that is left trenches were also recorded further south (in WH Weatherlees Hill
of the formerly open water in the channel is Zone 5), associated with a probable searchlight
the River Stour which flows south through the position forming part of Thanets coastal
Minster marshes. defences.
Ebbsfleet
peninsula
Medieval feature
0 50 m
Enclosure
ditches
Above: Plan of the northernmost of the two medieval Inset map: Selected medieval settlement remains on Thanet,
farmsteads in Zone 3. shown in relation to probable trackways and reclamation
banks within the Wantsum Channel
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 19
Local volunteers and Kent County Council staff at the geophysics survey 2015 Getting to the bottom of it! The 1st-century defensive ditch in 2016
By the time the results of the East Kent Access The Battle for Gaul. Partly because of this it whose results are shown on page 9. This the book, about the location of the western
2 road project were published in 2015, just had often been assumed that his invasions of work has built on the community archaeology side of the defensive enclosure, was wrong!
three years after the new road was opened, Britain had left few archaeological traces. But undertaken during the road scheme and New excavations have subsequently taken
plans were already underway to follow up the discoveries on the new road suggested much of the fieldwork for the research has place at an entrance on the west side of the
on what may be the most important single otherwise. been supported by volunteers. The work of enclosure that was identical by the geophysical
discovery in the project. the volunteers has been co-ordinated by survey. As the entrance would have been a busy
It was clear that more work was needed so Kent County Council and people have come thoroughfare it is the place where objects are
In the book about the project it was suggested a research project was set up at Leicester from across Kent to take part. The Oxford most likely to have been dropped.
that the large 1st century BC site in Zone 6 University (www2.le.ac.uk/departments/ Wessex Archaeology joint venture has also
might be one of Julius Caesars camps dating to archaeology/research/projects/footsteps-of- been helping, allowing further studies to be Work is still in progress but the recent discovery
55 or 54 BC. This interpretation faced a number caesar). undertaken of the discoveries they made when of a Roman weapon in the defensive ditch has
of problems. The first was there was not enough the road was built. increased the odds on the site in Zone 6 being
evidence from the 2010 excavations to prove Funded by The Leverhulme Trust, the project one of the bases of Julius Caesar.
or disprove this idea. The second, and is looking at all the possible evidence for the The work of the volunteers has included
perhaps bigger, problem was that almost all invasions across south-east England but it geophysical surveys around Ebbsfleet. And
we know about the invasions comes from the has also carried out new fieldwork in Zone 6 one of the results of the first survey was to
account that Julius Caesar wrote in his book (Ebbsfleet), including a geophysical survey show that one of the theories put forward in
Digging at the Gateway from prehistory to Caesar and beyond 21
Acknowledgements
The publication was generously funded by Kent County Council and Volkerfitzpatrick Hochtief. We
are grateful to Kent County Council Heritage Conservation, Atkins and Jacobs for assistance during
the project. We are also grateful to Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick and the Footsteps of Caesar Project team
for information. The text was written by Phil Andrews and Andrew Powell, and edited by Philippa
Bradley. Illustrations are by Hannah Kennedy (plans and sections), and Elizabeth James and Sophie
Lamb (finds); finds photographs are by Magdalena Wachnik and Karen Nichols. The site plans and
sections have been adapted for this publication by Will Foster, who also typeset and designed this
report.
The full results of the excavations are published in Digging at the Gateway: Archaeological
landscapes of south Thanet. The Archaeology of East Kent Access (Phase II) Volume 1: The Sites
and Volume 2: The Finds, Environmental and Dating Reports (Phil Andrews, Paul Booth,
A P Fitzpatrick and Ken Welsh 2015 OWA Monograph No. 8).
Picture credits
Aerial photographs are reproduced courtesy of Volkerfitzpatrick Hochtief; photographs on page
20 are copyright Andrew Fitzpatrick; Iron Age roundhouse image on page 8 David Peter Robinson/
Shutterstock.com; all other images are copyright Oxford Wessex Archaeology.