White Horse Stone, ARC WHS 97
Oxford Archaeology (South), 2004. (updated 2017) https://doi.org/10.5284/1044778. How to cite using this DOI
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 1952
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1044778
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
The Oxford Archaeological Unit was commissioned by Union Railways Ltd to conduct a field evaluation at land adjacent to the White Horse Stone, Aylesford (NGR TQ75226041), as part of a programme of archaeological investigations along the route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The evaluation investigated a dry valley at the foot of the North Downs escarpment, located adjacent to two reputed megalithic monuments. The White Horse Stone and Smythes. These megaliths are usually included in a group of megalithic chambered tombs, assumed to be of Neolithic date, known as the Medway Megaliths. The evaluation discovered no evidence of Neolithic activity associated with these monuments.
A thick, localised deposit of flint gravel, sealing a single sherd of Neolithic pottery was identified close to the reported position of Smythes. Megalith. Although it was interpreted in the field as a possible burial mound, subsequent assessment of the composition and location of the deposit suggest that it is likely to be a product of soil erosion.
Thick hillwash deposits were present in the bottom of the valley, becoming deeper towards the southern end, where they were banked up against a boundary bank or geological formation followed by the Pilgrims Way prehistoric track. There was no evidence that any of the numerous sarsen boulders discovered in the valley bottom had been utilised, although many may have been visible features in the prehistoric landscape.
A subsequent Archaeological Excavation (ARC WHS 98) was undertaken at White Horse Stone in 1998 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.
