Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in advance of the proposed development of Land at The Cedars, Higham Lane, Bridge, Kent NGR: 618869 153791 Report for Murston Construction Ltd Date of Report: 07/12/2015 SWAT. ARCHAEOLOGY Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company School Farm Oast, Graveney Road Faversham, Kent ME13 8UP Tel; 01795 532548 or 07885 700 112 www.swatarchaeology.co.uk Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Contents List of Figures ... . iii List of Plates ... ... iii 1. SUMMARY... ..4 2. INTRODUCTION... ...5 2.1 Geology and Topography ... . 7 2.2 Planning Background ... . 7 2.3 The Proposed Development ... ... 10 2.4 Project Constraints ... ... 10 3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ... ... 10 3.1 Introduction ... . 10 3.2 Desktop Study - Institute For Archaeologists (revised 2011) ... ... 10 4. METHODOLOGY ... . 11 4.1 Desk-Based Assessment ... . 11 4.1.1 Archaeological databases ... ... 11 4.1.2 Historical documents ... . 11 4.1.3 Cartographic and pictorial documents ... . 11 4.1.4 Aerial photographs ... . 13 4.1.5 Geotechnical information ... ... 13 4.1.6 Secondary and statutory resources ... ... 13 5. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT ... ... 14 5.1 Introduction ... . 14 5.2 History of the Site... .14 5.3 Archaeological and Historical Development... ..14 5.4 Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings Historic Parks & Gardens and Conservation Areas ... .. 18 i Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 6. ARCHAOLOGICAL POTENTIAL ... . 18 6.1 Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age ... . 18 6.4 Anglo-Saxon ... . 21 6.5 Medieval ... ... 21 6.6 Post-Medieval ... . 21 7. IMPACT ASSESSMENT ... . 22 7.1 Existing Impacts ... . 22 7.2 Proposed Impacts ... . 22 8. MITIGATION ... . 23 9. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ... . 23 9.1 Archive ... ... 23 9.2 Reliability/limitations of sources ... .. 24 9.3 Copyright ... ... 24 10. REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY ... ... 24 Appendix 1... ..25 ii Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent List of Plates Plate 1. View of the Site NW Plate 2. View of the Site E Plate 3. View of the Site E Plate 4. View of the Site NW Plate 5. View of the Site NW Plate 6. View of the Site Plate 7. Google Earth 1940 Plate 8. Google Earth 1960 Plate 9. Google Earth 1988 Plate 10. Google Earth 2013 Plate 11. Aerial view c.1960 Plate 12. Aerial view c.1960 Plate 13. Aerial view c.1960 Plate 14. Andrews Dury map 1769 Plate 15. OS County map 1801 Plate 16. Vine map 1887 Plate 17. OS map 1980 List of Figures Fig.1 OS Historic mapping 1873 Fig.2 OS Historic mapping 1898 Fig.3 OS Historic mapping 1907 Fig.4 OS Historic mapping 1956 Fig.5 OS Historic mapping 1967 Fig.6 OS Historic mapping 1993 iii Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Proposed Development of land at The Cedars, Higham Lane, Bridge, Kent NGR: 618869 153791 1 SUMMARY Swale & Thames Survey Company (SWAT Archaeology) has been commissioned to carry out an archaeological desk-based assessment in advance of the proposed development of residential dwellings on land at The Cedars, Higham Lane, Bridge, Kent as part of the planning application submitted by Murston Construction Ltd. This Desk Based Assessment examines the wide variety of archaeological data held by Kent County Council and other sources. Based on this data and the site visit the potential for archaeological sites either on or in the near vicinity of the proposed development can be summarised as:  Prehistoric: Moderate  Romano-British: Low  Anglo-Saxon and Medieval: Moderate  Post-medieval: Low The Desk Based Assessment concludes that:  The site has a moderate potential for Prehistoric remains based on aerial photography of the site and its surrounding landscape  Anglo-Saxon barrows astride a Roman road have been found to the west of the site  To the south west of the of the site is the remains of an enigmatic Roman monument which served as a foci for Anglo-Saxon burials which may continue east to the proposed development site The site lies within the civil parish of Bridge. It comprises of an area of 2916 sqm and is located to the rear of 3 & 5 Bridge Down and to the north-west of Highland Court Cottages located in Higham Lane (Plate 10 & Figure 6). 4 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 2 INTRODUCTION SWAT Archaeology has been commissioned by Murston Construction Ltd to carry out an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment to supplement a planning application for the development of the site situated at The Cedars, Higham Lane, Bridge in Kent (Figure 6). The report has accessed various sources of information to identify any known heritage assets which may be located within the vicinity of the Proposed Development Area. The site is centered on National Grid Reference 618869 153791. Archaeological investigations, both recent and historic have been studied and the information from these investigations has been incorporated in the assessment. The proposed development area (PDA) is located on high ground overlooking to the north-west the village of Bridge which sits astride the Nailbourne Stream (Plate 14). Recent archaeological investigations in Bridge village by SWAT Archaeology have established Bridge has a Roman foundation. The Roman road connecting Canterbury and Dover to London passes to the west of the proposed development site (PDA). On the west side of the Roman road (now the A2) there is a Scheduled Anglo-Saxon cemetery and further down slope to the west a unique hexagonal feature excavated by Dr Paul Wilkinson in 2006 and shown to be Roman but which also became the focus of rich Anglo-Saxon burials of which nine out of 108 were excavated (Wilkinson 2008: www.kafs.co.uk reports). Further down slope and to the south recent geophysical survey and analysis by Cambridge University has indicated a potentially important archaeological landscape that includes Roman buildings and this report can be accessed at: www.arch.cam.ac/research/projects/canterburyhinterland/ chp-images/bpk 12- report-j an-2013 -smaller.pdf Immediately to the west of the PDA the post war housing estate was started in 1961 (Plate 13). Dr Mary Watson undertook the archaeological investigation. The area of Watson’s academic interest was being developed as a housing estate and the site lay in the path of a road which was being prepared. Two rubbish pits which were 5 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent excavated yielded pre-Roman pottery, including a Swarling type pedestal base and a handle from a Mediterranean type imported in Belgic times, a pre- Roman bronze fibula and other bronze fragments, a broken speculum coin, Allen Class I, and domestic animal bones. The area has now been completely developed, but the excavator, Dr. Mary Watson, who retains the find’s has not, as yet, published a report. In addition archaeological works just to the north-east of the PDA on the Bridge By- pass were undertaken by the Canterbury Archaeological Society and Canterbury Archaeological Trust in 1966-1974 (Plate 17). Although the work was funded by grants from the Department of the Environment and an interim report published by Nigel Macpherson-Grant with an emphasis on the prehistoric pottery in Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. XCVI, 1980, no full report has been published. It is understood that the report was to be published in two parts. Part 1. Prehistoric, and Part 2 which would have covered the later Roman and Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. It would also have included a section on settlement and land-use at Bridge including synthesising the evidence presented in both parts of the reports. It is more than unfortunate that two major areas of archaeological investigation, one by Dr Mary Watson on the adjacent housing estate and the other by Canterbury Archaeological Trust on the Bridge By-pass have not been published. This report is a desk-based appraisal from known cartographic, photographic and archaeological sources and is a research led statement on the archaeological potential of the proposed development. It may be that intrusive investigations such as an Archaeological Evaluation with machine cut trial trenching could be requested by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) as a Planning Condition. 6 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 2.1 Geology and Topography The Geological Survey of Great Britain (1:50,000) has been consulted and shows that the proposed development site (PDA) sits on the North Downs which consists of Upper Chalk, although geologically the Downs consist of the Lower, Middle and Upper Chalks. Most of the Downland in the Bridge area is underlain by the Upper Chalk, with the lower strata (Lower Chalk) outcropping on the scarp and valley slopes. The Lower Chalk has a high clay content, qualifying almost as Marl. The Middle Chalk is more pure and whiter, and being harder resists erosion better. Upper Chalk is purer still, and contains large quantities of flint which on erosion turns into Clay-with-Flints. Water is scarce today on the Downs although it is thought there was a higher water table during the first millennium. The only river close to the study area is called the Nailbourne which runs intermittently in the valley below the PDA (Figure 00) flowing north-west until it becomes the Little Stour in the vicinity of Wingham. The soil on the Downs is poor, shallow and calcareous, and given the lack of water it is not surprising that the Downs have seen sparser settlement than the valleys below. The average OD height of the PDA is 74m.00mAOD. 2.2 Planning Background The National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012) Policy 12 is the relevant policy for the historic environment: 12. Conserving and enhancing the historic environment 12.6. Local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. In doing so, they should recognise that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a manner appropriate to their significance. In developing this strategy, local planning authorities should take into account: ● the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; 7 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent ● the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring; ● the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness; and ● opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of a place. 12.8. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation (NPPF 2012). Canterbury City Council in the Canterbury District Local Plan Publication Draft 2 list a number of policies relevant to archaeology: Policy HE1. Historic Environment and Heritage Assets HE2. World Heritage Site and Buffer Zone HE4. Listed Buildings HE8. Heritage Assets HE11. Archaeology HE12. Area of Archaeological Importance Policy HE1 relates to the importance of the historic environment, HE2 to the World Heritage site, HE 4 and 5 to Listed Buildings, HE 5-10 to the Conservation areas, HE12 to the World Heritage site and HE 13 to Historic Parks and Gardens. Policy HE11 concerns below ground archaeological remains, their evaluation, excavation and mitigation strategies: 8 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Policy HE11 The archaeological and historic integrity of designated heritage assets such as Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other important archaeological sites, together with their settings, will be protected and, where possible, enhanced. Development which would adversely affect them will not be permitted. Where important or potentially significant heritage assets may exist, developers will be required to arrange for field evaluation to be carried out in advance of the determination of planning applications. The evaluation should define:  The character, importance and condition of any archaeological deposits or structures within the application site;  The likely impact of the proposed development on these features (including the limits to the depth to which groundworks can go on the site); and  The means of mitigating the effect of the proposed development including: a statement setting out the impact of the development. Where the case for development affecting a heritage asset of archaeological interest is accepted, the archaeological remains should be preserved in situ. Where preservation in situ is not possible or justified, appropriate provision for preservation by record may be an acceptable alternative. In such cases archaeological recording works must be undertaken in accordance with a specification prepared by the City Council’s Archaeological Officer or a competent archaeological organisation that has been agreed by the City Council in advance. Regional Policies The South-East Research Framework (SERF) is ongoing with groups of researchers producing a Resource Assessment which will identify research questions and topics in order to form a Research Agenda for the future. This Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment has been prepared in accordance with the guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework and the Good Practise Advice notes 1, 2 and 3 which now supersede the PPS 5 Practise Guide which has been withdrawn by the Government. The Good Practise Advice notes emphasises the need for assessments of the significance of any heritage assets which are likely to 9 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent be changed, so the assessment can inform the decision process. Significance is defined in the NPPF Guidance in the Glossary as “the value of the heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic, or historical. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also its setting”. The setting of the heritage asset is also clarified in the Glossary as “the surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve”. This Desk-Based Assessment therefore forms the initial stage of the archaeological investigation and is intended to inform and assist in decisions regarding archaeological mitigation for the proposed development and associated planning applications. 2.3 The Proposed Development The proposed development will comprise of up to six residential units, access road and car parking. 2.4 Project Constraints No project constraints were encountered during the data collection for this assessment. 3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 3.1 The Desk-Based Assessment was commissioned by Murston Construction Ltd in order to inform the planners of the potential archaeological importance of the site and to supplement a planning application for the development of the site at land at The Cedars, Higham Lane, Bridge in Kent. 3.2 Desktop Study - Institute for Archaeologists (revised 2011) This desktop study has been produced in line with archaeological standards, as defined by the Institute for Archaeologists (2014). A desktop, or desk-based assessment, is defined as being: “a programme of study of the historic environment within a specified area or site on land, the inter-tidal zone or underwater that addresses agreed research and/or conservation objectives. It consists of an analysis of existing written, graphic, 10 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent photographic and electronic information in order to identify the likely heritage assets, their interests and significance and the character of the study area, including appropriate consideration of the settings of heritage assets and, in England, the nature, extent and quality of the known or potential archaeological, historic, architectural and artistic interest. Significance is to be judged in a local, regional, national or international context as appropriate”. (CIfA 2014) 4 METHODOLOGY 4.1 Desk-Based Assessment 4.1.1 Archaeological databases The local Historic Environment Record (HER) held at Kent County Council provides an accurate insight into catalogued sites and finds within both the proposed development area (PDA) and the surrounding environs of Higham in Bridge. The Archaeology Data Service Online Catalogue (ADS) was also used. The search was carried out within a 300m radius of the proposed development site (24/11/15). Relevant HER data is included in the report (Appendix 2). The Portable Antiquities Scheme Database (PAS) was also searched as an additional source as the information contained within is not always transferred to the local HER. 4.1.2 Historical documents Historical documents, such as charters, registers, wills and deeds etc were considered not relevant to this specific study. 4.1.3 Cartographic and pictorial documents A cartographic and pictorial document search was undertaken during this assessment. Research was carried out using resources offered by Kent County Council, the Internet and Ordnance Survey Historical mapping (Plates 14-17Figs. 1-6). Map Regression 1769- 1993 A limited map regression exercise on large scale Ordnance Survey maps has been carried out on the Proposed Development Area (Figures 1-6). In addition earlier 11 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent historical maps have been viewed and have shown that the site in 1769 was open fields. The Andrews Dury map shows with tremendous detail the various country seats around the PDA and also in great detail the course of the Nailbourne Stream. Higham and Higham Farm both adjacent to the PDA are also shown (Plate 14). The publication in 1801 of the first OS County map shows the landscape around the PDA had still not changed (Plate 15). The map of 1887 by the Rev. F. Vine to be found in his book ‘Caesar in Kent’ shows in some detail historical and archaeological features around the area of the proposed development. From the ‘Roman’s Cold Bath’ in Bourne Park where modern investigation has found Roman buildings to the ‘hexagonal fort’ now known to be an early Roman monument to field systems and lynchets (in red lines) of which two are identified in the vicinity of the PDA (Plate 16). The OS map of 1873 shows a landscape dominated by ‘Bridgehill House’. The proposed development area is adjacent to the formal garden but with no buildings or features on the area to be developed (Figure 1). The OS map of 1898 shows no development on the PDA apart from a small building just to the north. To the west the Anglo Saxon cemetery adjacent to the Roman road has been discovered and mapped (Figure 2). The OS map of 1907 shows no change on the PDA (Figure 3) but by 1956 there is a substantial building on the PDA, to the north-west a quarry has been dug and Tumuli are drawn on the area of the Anglo Saxon Cemetery (Figure 4) By 1967 the building on the PDA is now called ‘The Cedars’. There is a house built in the quarry called ‘The Dell’ and the landscape north and west of the PDA is now developed with over 56 detached houses (Figure 5). There is little additional change on the OS map of 1993 (Figure 6). 12 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 4.1.4 Aerial photographs The study of the collection of aerial photographs held by Google Earth was undertaken (Plates 7-10) and various aerial photographs held in the SWAT archive (Plates 11-13) The 1940 Google Earth AP is not correct with its tiles but does show no development on the PDA (Plate 7). The 1960 Google Earth AP is more useful and shows the residential development started next to the PDA with the estate roads- Bridge Down Road stripped down to the chalk ready for building. The PDA has a building on it and we know from contemporary maps it’s a residential building called ‘The Cedars’. The earlier formal garden adjacent can be seen, albeit overgrown (Plate 8). The 1988 Google Earth AP shows the residential estate adjacent to the PDA fully developed and the Bridge By-pass built. Both projects have not had their archaeological findings published (Plate 9). The 2013 Google Earth AP shows the PDA in its current state (Plate 10). The two large fields to the west of the PDA have not been developed and AP photographs from the SWAT/KAFS Collection show: Aerial view c.1960 showing route of the Roman road through Bridge to Canterbury. Note the crop mark of the Roman hexagonal monument and the build of the new housing estate adjacent to the PDA (Plate 11.) Aerial view c.1960 showing the hexagonal monument and the adjacent Anglo-Saxon burial mounds. Roman road is the black band next to the modern A2 road (Plate 12). Vertical aerial view c.1960 of the PDA. Anglo-Saxon burial mounds and hexagonal monument. Note formal garden with maze at top of picture (Plate 13). 4.1.5 Geotechnical information To date, no report is available of the recent geotechnical investigations at the site. 4.1.6 Secondary and statutory resources Secondary and statutory sources, such as regional and periodic archaeological studies, landscape studies; dissertations, research frameworks and websites are considered appropriate to this type of study and have been included within this assessment where necessary. 13 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 5.1 Introduction Palaeolithic c. 500,000 BC - c.10,000 BC Mesolithic c.10,000 BC - c. 4,300 BC Neolithic c. 4.300 BC - c. 2,300 BC Bronze Age c. 2,300 BC - c. 600 BC Iron Age c. 600 BC - c. AD 43 Romano-British AD 43 - c. AD 410 Anglo-Saxon AD 410 - AD 1066 Medieval AD 1066 - AD 1485 Post-medieval AD 1485 - AD 1900 Modern AD 1901 - present day Table 1 Classification of Archaeological Periods The Archaeological record within the area of Bridge is diverse and comprises possible activity dating from the Prehistoric through to the Post-medieval period. The geographic and topographic location of the site is within a landscape that has been the focus of trade, travel and communication accelerated by the building of the Roman road that lies to the west of the PDA. There have been numerous archaeological investigations (Appendix 1) that have delivered a wealth of archaeological data, particularly relating to the Roman and Early Medieval periods. 5.2 History of the site The PDA lies on a hill within a rich archaeological landscape overlooking the southern edge of Bridge village. A number of sites have been investigated in the vicinity, mainly archaeological works on the Bridge By-pass by the Canterbury Archaeological Society in 1966-1974. Although the work was funded by grants from the Department of the Environment and an interim report published by Nigel Macpherson-Grant with an emphasis on the 14 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent prehistoric pottery in Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. XCVI, 1980, no full report has been published. It is understood that the report was to be published in two parts. Part 1. Prehistoric, and Part 2 which would have covered the later Roman and Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. It would also have included a section on settlement and land-use at Bridge including synthesising the evidence presented in both parts of the reports. In 1961 Dr Mary Watson undertook field work just to the east of the current study area. The area of Watson’s interest was being developed as a housing estate and the site lay in the path of a road which was being prepared. Two rubbish pits which were excavated yielded pre-Roman pottery, including a Swarling type pedestal base and a handle from a Mediterranean type imported in Belgic times, a pre- Roman bronze fibula and other bronze fragments, a broken speculum coin, Allen Class I, and domestic animal bones. The area has now been completely developed, but the excavator, Dr. Mary Watson, who retains the finds has not, as yet, published a report. Extensive crop marks are recorded within the surrounding landscape (Appendix 2). These include linear droveways, enclosures, ploughed out round barrows, and over 50 small barrows with penannular and ring ditches. A full description of HER features within the study area is itemised below: TR 15 SE 2 Description Faussett in 1771 mentions over 100 tumuli on Hanging Hill, in front of and between Bourne Place, Bishopsbourne, and the Roman road (some parallel to the road); others had been ploughed down. Wright opened three and found them to be Saxon. This grave mound cluster is partly in woodland and partly under the plough; only eleven mounds survive and these, in general, are in a poor condition (No report). TR 15 SE 7 Description [TR 18595388] Romano-British urns and other vessels, (some in Liverpool Museum) with skeletons and fragments of weapons, were found c.1833 about half-way up Bridge Hill during alterations to the Canterbury - Dover road. Three more burials 15 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent under the pavement on the north side of the road were found with 4th c. pottery in 1956. The 1956 burials were found when a G.P.O. cable was laid at the junction of Beech Hill and Bridge Hill at TR 18535396: the pottery, which included two 4th c. jugs, has been retained by Mr. Jenkins (No report). TR 15 SE 17 Description [TR 18938] An Late Iron Age site was found in May 1961 on Bridge Hill above the 200 ft. Contour near the summit of the hill (and adjacent to the Study Area) where it slopes to the north-west. The area was being developed as a housing estate and the site lay in the path of a road which was being prepared. Two rubbish pits which were excavated yielded pre-Roman pottery, including a Swarling type pedestal base and a handle from a Mediterranean type imported in Belgic times, a pre-Roman bronze fibula and other bronze fragments, a broken speculum coin, Allen Class I, and domestic animal bones. The area has been completely developed, but the excavator, Dr. Mary Watson, who retains the finds, indicated the approximate find spot at TR 18875388 (No report). TR 15 SE 154 Description Hexagonal feature with dark centre, probable WW2 military installation. TR 15 SE 155 Description Rectilinear enclosure with probable building foundation against its west side. TR 15 SE 164 Description Complex of linear features parallel to Roman Road, with "castellated" WW2 slit trenches, possible trackways etc. Documentary Evidence The most important historical information has come from the Rev. F. Vine who was aware of the hexagonal feature on Star Hill and in 1887 wrote in his book ‘Caesar in Kent’: 16 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent “On the brow of the hill, in Bourne Park, there are what appear to be the remains of two [Roman] outposts, 400 yards apart, surrounded each by a ditch. They are of the same dimensions, and form almost perfect hexagons, each side being about 50 feet in length. They are situated in commanding positions on a hill, called locally ‘Star Hill,’ and would afford excellent stations for the guards placed before the gates of the camp, whence they could view the position and movement of the enemy. They are known traditionally as ‘the Forts.’ They are now bare of trees but have the appearance of having been planted at some comparatively recent period “(Vine 1887: 197). In Vine’s book ‘Caesar in Kent’ there are also some excellent maps which show the location of not one but two similar hexagonal features. A critique of Vine’s work by Matthew Bell has been located. Bell, a local landowner, bought Bourne House in 1845 and wrote in the Bourne Book: “The two hexagonal enclosures, p191, surrounded by a bank, there is no ‘ditch’, and supposed to be ‘outposts’, are easily recognised: he says ‘they are known traditionally as the Forts’: this is another instance of a tradition known to hardly anyone. I have never heard it mentioned. But, whatever else they may have been, they were certainly once plantations, as the trees (Scotch firs) still existed forty years ago in one of them, and a few stumps were visible in the other: the bank of the N. W. hexagon is still perfect, but after making ample allowance for the levelling effects of time and weather, it seems to me far too insignificant in its dimensions to have ever been the embankment of a Roman ‘outpost’ while it is exactly what one might expect to find as a bank thrown up to assist in protecting a plantation made perhaps less than 100 years ago” (Raraty M. M. pers comm 2008). 5.3 This section of the assessment will focus on the archaeological and historical development of this area, placing it within a local context. Each period classification will provide a brief introduction to the wider landscape (175m radius centered on the site of the PDA), followed by a full record of archaeological sites, monuments and records within the site’s immediate vicinity. Time scales for archaeological periods represented in the report are listed on page 14 in Table 1. 17 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent A preliminary review of the cultural heritage data shows that the site has some archaeological potential. 5.4 Scheduled Monuments; Listed Buildings; Historic Parks & Gardens and Conservation Areas One Scheduled Monument, Anglo-Saxon barrows on Hanging Hill, one Grade II listed building (TR 15 SE 202)), one Historic Parks and Gardens Bourne Park (TR 15 SE 325) and one Conservation Area (Appendix 2). 6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL 6.1 Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age Archaeological investigations suggest that Prehistoric activity and Iron Age settlement have been found in Bridge and its immediate surrounds. 45m north of the PDA early Iron Age rubbish pits were excavated (TR 15 SE 17). In addition scatters of prehistoric worked flint were found by KAFS in archaeological investigations at the hexagonal feature in Bourne Park (TR 15 SE 154). 6.2 Iron Age Iron Age activity and features were found in the investigations by the Kent Archaeological Field School on the hexagonal feature on Star Hill (EKE 12133). 6.3 Romano-British The Romans built a tribal town and capital (Durovernum Cantiacorum) at the crossing point of the River Stour of the Roman road now called Watling Street. This Roman road is situated to the west of the PDA and is upslope from the village of Bridge, situated at the road crossing of the Nailbourne Stream, sometimes called the Lesser Stour. Recent work on both sides of the Roman road in Bridge has identified Roman settlement. Upslope and on the west side of the Roman road a hexagonal feature identified in aerial photographs and thought to be a WWII feature was excavated by the Kent Archaeological Field School (EKE 12133, 12130, 121131, 18 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 12132) during campaigns undertaken in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Excavation took place in 2006. During May Bank Holiday in 2003 investigation by the KAFS of three points of the hexagon enabled the students to find the centre of the hexagon where stripping of the turf and subsoil revealed a circular pit, about three metres in diameter cut into the chalk. The pit had been pillaged sometime in the past but sherds of Late Iron Age pottery, burnt bone, and Medieval pottery may suggest a cremation deposit of Late Iron Age/ Early Roman period plundered during the Medieval period. The hexagon was seen to have been cut as a decorative feature with the sides curved and terraced. The fill comprised chalk granules and larger pieces of chalk mixed with some soil. There was no evidence remaining of an internal bank that can be seen in some air photographs. The internal measurement of the hexagon sides was 15m 40cm (50ft 7") in length. It is of interest that the hexagon was built to Roman measurements, the length of the internal sides at 15.40m is 52pM (Roman feet, the Roman pes Monetalis of 296mm length). Further stripping of the topsoil in 2004 within the perimeter of the hexagon failed to find any tree planting pits, indeed the only features revealed were a number of prehistoric post-holes, together with rubbish pits dug into the chalk during the First and Second World Wars. In 2005 further work was undertaken on the south side of the hexagon where almost immediately an east-west orientated grave cut into the chalk was revealed, with a number of seventh century Anglo-Saxon coins exposed in the disturbed fill. Further work revealed a possible family group of 12 graves orientated to the hexagon feature, with Graves 3, 4 and 4a cutting the fill of the hexagon feature ditch. The graves were an obvious target for treasure hunters and full excavation proceeded with the appropriate licence obtained. Most of the graves contained artefacts that were Treasure Trove and included a gold pendant, glass palm cup, Frankish pottery vessels, beads, spears, knives, cowrie shells, loom weights and over 60 silver coins. The ditch has been terraced into a monumental feature whilst the 2005 excavation revealed an even more complex feature with a double ditch with curved profiles. It seems, given the complexity of the design, that the ditch was a feature designed to 19 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent be seen or can just be a ditch recut. Worked flint and Iron Age pottery sherds were also retrieved by sieving the topsoil and subsoil within the excavated area. The worked flint is the subject of a specialist report (see Appendix IV) which dates the assemblage to the Neolithic and suggests that stone tool manufacture was taking place on site. The constant retrieval of scattered fresh Iron-age pottery sherds throughout the site did suggest that Iron-Age occupation was a possible feature of the site. The land at Star Hill has a complex mass of crop-marks revealed by air photographs. They cover an area of approximately 5 hectares to the west of the A2 (Watling Street). The crop-marks are reported in the RCHME Mapping Project No. 1077099 dated 01 October to 1986-01 October 1987. The crop-marks show a large number of ploughed-out round barrows sitting astride the course of the Roman Watling Street within the Scheduled Monument area whilst to the north-west are a large number of smaller ditched barrows. To the south-west there are a number of possible rectangular enclosures and droveways. The field in question is adjacent to the Scheduled Monument KE71 which currently covers a linear area alongside the A2 road but will be extended to cover most of the study area. The Star Hill crop-mark site has been provisionally identified as a probable Early Roman hexagonal sacred feature which seems to be unique and is of a type of site not identified elsewhere in Britain. However, there is at least one example of an Early Bronze Age barrow that, though essentially round, did appear as though it had been originally dug in a series of short straight sections (Lord-of-the-Manor 1977, Site 2B, Thanet). However, the hexagonality of the present ditch is markedly different, with a formal precision that would indicate a later, Roman date. Further excavation of the study area was necessary to elucidate the relationship between the hexagonal feature and the 7th century burials and prove beyond reasonable doubt that at the very least the 7th century graves post-date the hexagonal feature. As a result of the 2006 excavations it is clear that the hexagon feature cuts the Late Bronze Age (LBA) or Early Iron Age (EIA) ditch 014/018 and is in turn cut by at least 20 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent seven Anglo-Saxon graves. A Roman date is therefore realistic. The burnt bone and ‘Belgic’ sherds found in the central pit is probably contemporary with its construction and the Medieval and later elements intrusive. The recorded stratigraphic evidence means that the ditch of the hexagonal feature definitely post-dates the LBA/EIA enclosure ditch 014/018 (together with any associated Early Iron Age activity) and definitely pre-dates the Anglo-Saxon cemetery. The sherd evidence from both the hexagon’s ditch, and its central pit, is not sufficient to be conclusive - no absolute firm date can be applied on the basis of the pottery data recovered to date. Most man-made activities produce some artefactual by-products of that activity. Here, and using the inter-period ceramic evidence, this technically means the hexagon was constructed during either the Late Iron Age or Roman periods. As a putatively indigenous pre-Roman enterprise the hexagon could have been constructed during the increased phase of ‘Belgic’-period activity, ie. sometime after c.50/25 BC. Its neatly straight sides and Roman measurement, though, imply a Roman level of planning or design logic. It could therefore be a Caesarian or Claudian, possibly sacred, imposition into native farmland (KAFS Bridge Report: www.kafs.co.uk and Figure 7). 6.4 Anglo-Saxon The early medieval period is attested by excavation finds of Anglo-Saxon cremations and inhumation burials from the Star Hill excavations. In addition the Scheduled Monument of the Saxon barrow cemetery adjacent to the hexagonal feature and the Roman road (TR 15 SE 2) suggests important settlement in the vicinity of the PDA. 6.5 Medieval The medieval period is represented within the assessment area by the medieval churches of Bridge and Bekesbourne. 6.6 Post-Medieval and Modern The Post Medieval period within the assessment area is represented by the listed building Grade II Bridge Hill House (TR 15 SE 202) and the Bourne Park parkland 21 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent estate (TR 15 SE 325). In addition a milestone on the Bridge road (TR 15 SE 60) and a WWII Flame Projecting Installation, again on the Bridge road (TR 15 SE 281). Summary of Potential The desk-based assessment has considered the archaeological potential of the site but this potential can only be tested by fieldwork. Research has shown that the PDA may contain archaeological sites and these can be summarised as:  Prehistoric: Moderate  Iron Age: Moderate  Roman: Low  Anglo-Saxon: Moderate  Medieval: Low  Post-Medieval and Modern: Low 7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT 7.1 Existing Impacts The search area is for the most part, has been subject to rural activity. The map regression exercise has shown little early historical development in the area to be developed. Archaeological investigations in the vicinity of the PDA have shown that the archaeological horizon is on the chalk but sieving the topsoil at Star Hill by KAFS has shown that Prehistoric lithics and Iron Age pottery can survive in the topsoil. A house has been on the PDA since the mid 20th century (Figure 4) and the impact on the site will have been from the build of the house, service trenches and garden activity. The existing impact on the PDA is likely to be moderate. 7.2 Proposed Impacts At the time of preparing this archaeological assessment, the extent of the proposed development was for the build of six residential units, landscaping and car parking. Extensive impact is to be expected within the development area once construction 22 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent begins. The excavation of footings and the installation of services will be the main cause of this impact and it is therefore considered as high. 8 MITIGATION The purpose of this archaeological desk-based assessment was to provide an assessment of the contextual archaeological record, in order to determine the potential survival of archaeological deposits that may be impacted upon during any proposed construction works. The assessment has generally shown that the area to be developed is within an area of moderate to low archaeological potential with sites and monuments located close to the PDA. The proposed development could have an adverse impact on these buried remains and it is recommended that an archaeological investigation by archaeological evaluation should be carried out under a planning condition. These procedures will provide an additional assessment of the nature; depth and level of survival of any archaeological deposits present within the extents of the site and used to inform if further mitigation is necessary. 9 OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Setting of Listed Buildings One of the tasks of the site visit was aimed to identify any designated heritage assets within the wider context of the PDA in accordance with The Setting of Heritage Assets - English Heritage Guidance (English Heritage 2011). This guidance states that “setting embraces all of the surroundings (land, sea, structures, features and skyline) from which the heritage asset can be experienced or that can be experienced from or with the asset” (The Setting of Heritage Assets, English Heritage 2011). No designated heritage assets share intervisibility with the PDA. 9.1 Archive Subject to any contractual requirements on confidentiality, two copies of this desk- based assessment will be submitted to Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council (Heritage) within 6 months of completion. 23 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent 9.2 Reliability/limitations of sources The sources that were used in this assessment were, in general, of high quality. The majority of the information provided herewith has been gained from either published texts or archaeological ‘grey’ literature held at Kent County Council, and therefore considered as being reliable. 9.3 Copyright Swale & Thames Survey Company and the author shall retain full copyright on the commissioned report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights are reserved, excepting that it hereby provides exclusive licence to Murston Construction Ltd (and representatives) for the use of this document in all matters directly relating to the project. Paul Wilkinson PhD., MCifA., FRSA. December 7th 2015 10 REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY British Geological Survey on-line: http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer/ Canterbury Conservation Appraisal October 2010 Canterbury District Local Plan Publication Draft 2 (2014) IFA (2014) STANDARD AND GUIDANCE for historic environment desk-based assessment. National Planning Policy Practise March 2012. Kent Archaeological Field School: The Archaeological Investigation of a Hexagonal Feature at Star Hill, Bridge 2003-6 (www.kafs.co.uk ) reports. Kent County Council Historic Environment Record: http://www.kent.gov.uk/ExploringKentsPast/advancedsearch.aspx National Monument Records: http://www.pastscape.org.uk Vine. F. (Rev) 1887 Caesar in Kent 24 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent APPENDIX 1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES HER Ref. Location Period Summary EKE 4066 N of site Iron Age Rubbish pits EKE 12133 SW of site Roman Hexagonal feature EKE 14699 SW of site Roman, Geophysical survey in the grounds of Medieval Bourne Park EKE 4065 W of Site Saxon Saxon barrow cemetery EKE 12130 W of site Saxon Archaeological evaluation of hexagonal feature on Star Hill EKE 12131,2 W of site Roman Archaeological excavation of hexagonal feature on Star Hill TR 15 SE 17 N of site Medieval Two early Iron Age rubbish pits excavated by Dr Mary Watson TR 15 SE 202 S of site Listed Grade II listed building Bridge Hill House building TR 15 SE 154 W of site Roman Archaeological evaluation of hexagonal feature on Star Hill TR 15 SE 281 W of site Modern WWII Flame Projecting Installation TR 15 SE 60 W of site Modern Milestone TR 15 SE 325 W of site Post Bourne Park Estate Medieval TR 15 SE 2 W of site Early Scheduled Monument Saxon barrows Medieval 25 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plates Plate 1. View of Site (looking north-west on east side) Plate 2. View of the Site (looking east on the north side) 26 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 3. View of the Site (looking east from the centre of the site) Plate 4. View of Site (looking in to the north-west) 27 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 5. View of Site (looking north-west) Plate 6. View of Site (looking east from south area) 28 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 7. Aerial view 1940 Google Earth Plate 8. Aerial view 1960 Google Earth 29 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 9. Aerial view 1988 Google Earth Plate 10. Aerial view 2013 Google Earth 30 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 11. Aerial view c.1960 showing route of Roman road through Bridge to Canterbury. Note cropmark of hexagon monument and the build of the new housing estate adjacent to the PDA. 31 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 12. Aerial view c.1960 showing hexagon monument and adjacent Anglo-Saxon burial mounds. Roman road is black band next to the modern A2 road. 32 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 13. Vertical aerial view c.1960 of PDA (blue arrow), Anglo-Saxon burial mounds and hexagonal monument. Note formal garden with maze at top of picture. 33 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 14. Andrews Dury map of 1769 showing landscape around the PDA 34 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 15. OS County map of 1801 showing landscape around the PDA 35 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 16. 1887 map produced by the Rev F Vine 36 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment in Advance of Development of land at The Cedars, Bridge, Kent Plate 17. OS 1980 map showing the Bridge By-pass adjacent to the PDA 37 SOUTH-WEST FACING A B A 2003 CHALK C 03/2008 D 64.60m 64.68m 60 D EAST FACING C D 04/006 2004 04/007 04/008 CHALK 0 1 2 04/009 metres 04/010 CHALK 2006 C 2005 A B 2003 B 2003 CENTRAL PIT CHALK TURF CHALK TURF 2006 1 5 metres 2005 2005 CHALK 63.91m CHALK CHALK 64.62 Figure 55. Areas of 2003-2005 Investigation