Harrietsham Mesolithic, ARC HRT 97
Oxford Archaeology (South), 2004. (updated 2017) https://doi.org/10.5284/1044717. How to cite using this DOI
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- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1044717
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
The Oxford Archaeological Unit was commissioned by Union Railways Limited to conduct a field evaluation of two separate fields in Harrietsham, Kent, NGR (TQ 8590 5270 and TQ 8640 5250) situated between the A20 and M20. The site is part of a programme of archaeological investigations along the route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Sixteen one-metre square test-pits were dry sieved with the aim of determining the extent and composition of any Mesolithic worked flint known to exist around Harrietsham (Wymer 1977). Three main Mesolithic flint scatters have previously been recorded; one at Harrison.s Nursery, removed during the construction of the M20, which produced Mesolithic scapers, waste flakes and microliths; another north of the A20 known as Park Wood Chicken Farm; and a third flint scatter south of the M20 at The Red House which produced large numbers of flint scrapers.
A total of 194 pieces of worked flint were recovered from the present evaluation and much of this appeared to be Neolithic in date and probably later Neolithic. The assemblage consisted of mainly broad flakes, with a few blades present. No complete cores were recovered. Retouched pieces were few and consisted of four simple edge retouched broad flakes, one edge-retouched blade, two scrapers and two serrated flakes.
Most of flint recovered from the test-pits was within ploughsoils and colluvium. Although all the flint occurred in disturbed contexts, it illustrates that there is some Neolithic activity in the area. Only a small amount of the flint from the sieving is possibly Mesolithic in date and the test-pit sieving did not produce the quantity of Mesolithic flint which might be expected from the known scatters in Harrietsham.
Colluvial deposits were identified on the slopes down to the river Len and medieval pottery from these deposits may suggest that this colluviation is due to agricultural intensification in the medieval period. The medieval pottery was predominantly 12th and 13th century in date. A medieval feature of uncertain form was located in one of the test-pits. A single Bronze Age pottery sherd also came from one of the later ploughsoils.
A Geophysical Survey (ARC HRT 95) was also undertaken at Harrietsham as part of CTRL phase 1.
N.B. Much of this work here has been superseeded by works associated with the Phase Two and Schemewide programmes, but are included here for completeness. Those wishing to use the most current data are urged to view the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Section 1 Project pages.
