Northern Relief Road, Sittingbourne

The excavation in advance of the development of the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road involved the stripping of 1.5 hectares in the area of the Milton Creek Crossing between Ridham Avenue and Castle Road, Kemsley. Previous work in the area had uncovered remains of Middle and Late Bronze Age occupation, Iron Age structures and Romano-British activity, as well as medieval features and artefacts of Mesolithic, Neolithic and Early Bronze Age date. The presence of these multi-period remains suggested the likelihood of further discoveries being made in advance of the road construction.

The excavation has uncovered extensive prehistoric remains including a Bronze Age ring ditch, a large, probably Iron Age, enclosure ditch and large midden pit. Evidence for the Roman period was present in the form of well preserved salt-working hearths (front cover) and urned cremations of 1st and 2nd century date. Finds from the site include prehistoric flintwork, Iron Age triangular weights, Roman cremation vessels, building material and fragments of iron metalwork.

A public open day was held in October and children from the local primary school at Kemsley also visited the site for a tour and finds handling sessions.