Kingsnorth Power Station, Hoo, Isle of Grain

Project type: Excavation

An extensive programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken by Archaeology-South-East in fulfilment of planning conditions associated with the construction of a new power station at Damhead Creek, Hoo St. Werburgh, Kent.

The earliest activity at the site is represented by residual Mesolithic/Early Neolithic flintwork from within later features. A polished stone axe fragment, leaf shaped arrowhead and two Beaker pottery sherds suggest that the area around Damhead Creek was utilised during these periods, but no evidence for permanent or transient settlement of any kind was located during the current work.

During the Middle Bronze Age evidence of more intensive land use can be identified, with a variety of features including ditches and pits to the east of the main site and along the route of the pipeline to the north. Such an increase is also mirrored in the wider area, with possible Bronze Age occupation sites located around Nor Marsh in the Medway Estuary and a number of isolated sites and findspots inland.

The articulated remains of a calf found with a fragment of gold within a pit, were spatially associated with a group of post holes and a possible funerary deposit may be evidence of ‘ritual' activity. All in all, it would appear that by this time activity was not just limited to occasional hunting trips. The low-lying areas may have now been utilised for pastoralism, at least during the summer months, perhaps with temporary domestic occupation from stock-hands/shepherds with more permanent occupation on the higher ground. The presence of evidence for salt-working also indicates the probable beginning of ‘semi-industrial' exploitation.

During the Later Bronze Age a number of ditches and fence-lines appear to have been created, presumably representing the creation of the first formal agricultural landscape on the Hoo Peninsula. Several groups of ditches, aligned NW-SE, and running parallel with the modern field boundaries, were observed along the pipeline route, included two closely aligned ditches that may represent a droveway allowing livestock access to marsh grazing.

The Late Bronze Age is a period when settlement/agriculture appears to have spread out to more marginal areas. This change is likely to have been the result of population pressure and is seen in numerous places in the south-east. Despite this, the current excavations are still ambiguous as to the presence of domestic occupation. The increase in features together with the increase in finds strongly suggests some ‘domestic' activity, however, this could still be on a temporary/seasonal basis and closely related to pastoralism and salt-working. More permanent domestic settlement may be located on the higher ground to the north-west.

Activity almost certainly continued uninterrupted into the ‘Later Bronze Age/Early Iron Age' as attested by the smooth transition of the pottery fabrics. As such it is probable the trend of land division, agriculture and ‘semi-industrial' activity continued. The potential round-house and dense scatter of associated post-holes/pits located in the east of the site strongly suggests that some occupation, perhaps within an enclosure, was certainly now occurring on site, and that the site was close to a salt-works.

There is a notable gap in activity between the Early and Late Iron Ages. This gap has often been noted in the south-east suggesting a possible downturn in activity/population or a change in agricultural practise at this time. The next indication of activity within the investigated areas is from the Late Iron Age (150-50BC). During this period there is a shift in activity to the southern extent of the site as a whole. Three parallel ditches are evident in the east of the site and their alignments closely mirror ditches of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date. The area of the Early Iron Age round-house appears to have been the focus for Late Iron Age activity. This in itself would suggest the earlier activity site was still an obvious point in the landscape, perhaps being set within a small enclosure which could easily be renewed and utilised. A number of pits and further curving gullies, one perhaps representing a structure, were established, again, possibly within an enclosure. However, it is interesting to note that there is very little Late Iron Age pottery suggesting the occupation/activity may have been shortlived or not domestic in nature.

Romano-British activity on the Medway Estuary is well documented, particularly associated with Upchurch pottery and salt production. As such the current site is situated within a known area of Romano-British industrial activity. This is in contrast to the current site where 1st - to early 2nd - century activity is present but never dense. The low level of activity appears to have been primarily concerned with agriculture although there are hints of pottery and salt-production close by. Earlier field ditches appear to have been recut and new ones established, but essentially pastoralism appears to have continued. Despite the density of ‘industrial' activity in the vicinity the current site appears to only have been utilised for this from the mid 2nd to 3rd centuries and pottery production was also certainly underway.

Only scant evidence of early to middle Saxon activity was located and it is probable that the main focus of occupation during this time was located in the area around modern day Hoo St Werburgh. The site appears to have returned very much to the use it was put during the prehistoric period, with a loosely divided agricultural landscape worked mainly for pastoralism from settlements further afield. However, the presence of arable seeds in Saxon contexts clearly demonstrates some cultivation was occurring.

Medieval or earlier post-medieval activity was identified and it is likely that at this time the land nearer to the Medway was subject to flooding and maybe only suitable for seasonal grazing. Sinking land and rising sea levels meant that from at least the 13th century, marshland was becoming enclosed by walls of clay, stone and wattle, although floods were becoming more common perhaps as early as the late 10th century. The creation of such enclosed areas (innings) intensified between c. AD1250 - 1450 and required constant repair and heightening to the present day. However, such innings allowed the ‘safer' cultivation of arable crops by the dramatic reduction in the risk from inundation.

It was not until the construction of the experimental airship base in 1913 that the main area of the site became more intensively utilised and heavy industrialisation of the area continues to this day.

The construction of the Damhead Creek Power Station and associated works has enabled a glimpse into the earlier industries and former land use of the area that date back perhaps as far as 4500 years. They have given an insight into the extent the landscape has evolved and been modified through time. More excavations in future will hopefully allow the study of larger areas of this complex landscape to be studied in plan. This will undoubtedly help in our understanding of when, how and why humans utilised and changed the landscape and allow this part of the Isle of Grain to be compared/contrasted with other marginal lowlands in Kent and further afield.

Project Officer: Neil Griffin
Client: BWPP
Project type: Excavation