PB site, Horsewash Lane, Rochester
Project type: Evaluation
An archaeological evaluation was carried out at the PB site, Horsewash Lane, Rochester between 4th of February and 10th March 2008 on behalf of the client Halcrow Ltd. A total of 10 trenches were excavated across the site, totalling some 110m in length.
The evidence from these trenches suggested the survival of an archaeological sequence dating from the Early Neolithic to the post-medieval period.
The following sequence was recorded:
• A buried soil horizon was identified, which contained early Neolithic worked flint and Roman pottery which was thought to be intrusive.
• A greenish silty clay deposit was encountered
and is assumed to have been present across the majority of the site.
These Medway foreshore deposits dated from Bronze Age to the Roman period.
• The site is located in the north-east corner of the Roman town of Dvrobtivae, and an early Roman turf bank with pottery dating to AD70-150 was recorded running across the site; this was potentially a precursor to the city wall.
• The Roman city wall is still extant on parts of the site on a northwest-southeast alignment; it has also been recorded in a number of places within or surrounding the site. Elements of the Roman city wall were identified within some of the trenches, constructed from irregular ragstone blocks and bonded with an off-white slightly yellow mortar; a further masonry structure of unknown function was also recorded that was clearly related to or part of the Roman city wall.
These structures were underlain by a probable consolidation deposit containing pottery dated to AD 270-350. It is likely that the Roman city wall was backed by an inner earthen rampart. It is possible that the relationship of these two elements of the defensive wall also represent a northward expansion of the settlement, extending the city towards the coast between the phases of earthen and masonry wall construction.
• A series of Roman surfaces were also recorded along with a potential Roman building wall. Overall evidence for Roman settlement activity on the site is sparse and situated around the north-east of the development.
• Several 10 th and 11 th century features were recorded, mostly Saxo-Norman pits along with an undated but possible metalled surface and beam slot.
• Archaeologically there appears to have been a hiatus of activity within the bounds of the city walls during the medieval period, which may represent abandonment of this area of the city, site clearance or later truncation of the deposits. However the corner of a medieval building was observed. This wall was L-shaped in form and measured 1.70m east-west and 1.70m north-south; was 0.60m wide and over 1.0m high.
• Outside the wall (east of the site) a series of late medieval and post-medieval ditch fills were recorded. A post-medieval oak revetment was also recorded.
• Overlying this sequence was a mixed post-medieval dumping deposit, containing artefacts from the 17 th century onwards.
The archaeological significance of these remains ranged between local and national with particular national significance being given to the Roman city wall and associated structure and banks.
Project Officer: Dave Jamieson
Clients: Halcrow Ltd.
Project type: Evaluation
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