Holm Hill, Harrietsham, Kent - Post Excavation Assessment Report
Wessex Archaeology, 2009. (updated 2017) https://doi.org/10.5284/1044812. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © High Speed 1 unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Stuart
Foreman
Senior Project Manager
Oxford Archaeology (South)
Janus House
Osney Mead
Oxford
OX2 0ES
UK
Tel: 01865 263800
Fax: 01865 793496
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 2455
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1044812
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Union Railways (South) Limited (URS) to undertake a 'Strip, Map and Sample' excavation at A20 Diversion Holm Hill, located alongside the A20 Trunk Road, at its intersection with Greenway Court Road to the west of Harrietsham village near Maidstone, Kent. This work formed part of an extensive programme of archaeological investigation carried out in advance of the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), which at Holm Hill has included environmental assessment, geophysical survey, and test-pit and trial trench evaluations.
Overall, archaeological features recorded during the excavation comprised 12 ditches, 15 pits, five lynchets, four post-holes and one hearth. In addition, six tree throws, six burnt-out tree stumps and one animal burrow were also recorded. Many features were sealed by extensive colluvial deposits (probably beginning to develop during the prehistoric periods) that varied in thickness across the site. Dating evidence from the excavation indicates both Bronze Age and Iron Age remains; with the preceding evaluations in addition identifying probable Mesolithic, Romano-British and medieval activity beyond the limit of the excavation.
Although the results from Holm Hill would largely be considered unremarkable, the recovery of artefacts representing a broad range of chronological periods may be indicative of such a favoured settlement location through time. Archaeological remains attributable to later prehistoric farming communities are comparatively rare in Kent, and the results from Holm Hill therefore offer the potential to contribute to this poorly understood aspect of the county as a whole. Although little was recorded to confidently identify and associate any settlement centres with the remains at Holm Hill, the evidence recorded may help to define the use of landscape components, which in turn may provide data concerning the wider later prehistoric landscape use and organisation.
- Watching Brief Package 420 (Holme Hill and Harrietsham) (ARC WB420/68+500-73+500) - Watching Brief
- A20 Diversion Holm Hill (ARC HOL99) - Excavation
