Further excavations around Stringmans Farm, 2024

In 2024, the Society conducted fieldwork at Stringmans Farm in Badlesmere to further study prehistoric activity in the area. The research was aimed at following up on previous discoveries and expanding the understanding of the area. The fieldwork involved three separate areas and was carried out by a dedicated team of volunteers, including members and non-members of the Society, who moved substantial quantities of soil.

Stringmans Field, Northwest Ring Ditch

After a successful excavation in 2023, research and study of the finds recovered from the northwest ring ditch raised the possibility that this circular monument was of Neolithic, rather than Bronze Age, date. Ring ditches of Neolithic date are considerably scarcer than those of the Bronze Age, suggesting that this site could be of exceptional importance. As a result, the team returned in 2024 and opened up two further sections of the ring ditch to recover more dating evidence, soil samples, and structural details that might confirm a Neolithic origin.

Investigations had previously shown that the ring ditch enclosed an area between 18.75 and 20.25m across internally. The ditch was generally between 3.40 and 4.50m wide and up to 2.50m deep. Traces of burning and cremated bone located in its upper filling on the southeastern side appeared to mark the site of a cremation event late in the site sequence.

There were few features contained within the enclosed area and certainly no graves. However, two large post-pits that had once held substantial D-shaped timbers were discovered at the center. These were set around 2m apart and apparently represented a timber structure composed of split tree trunks. There was nothing else regarding associated features or deposits around these – all had been previously destroyed by centuries of ploughing.

[fg]Fig 1: Excavated ring ditch showing complex Prehistoric stratigraphy[/fg]

In 2024, the ring ditch was sectioned at two further points, on the northwest and southeast sides (Trenches 6 and 7). About one-third of the total ditch length has now been cleared with the previous excavations (Trench 1–5). Adjoining Trenches 2 and 6, dug in successive years, combine to provide an 11-meter-long excavated portion of the ditch on the northwestern side.

The new excavations established that the ring ditch comprised interconnected pits of varying sizes and depths rather than being continuously dug to a regular profile. Initially, a series of independent, roughly circular pits between 1 and 2m across at the base seem to have been cut between 1.30 and 2.50m deep into the natural chalk. These pits were subsequently linked by the removal of the intervening baulks of undug material to form a continuous ditch with a slightly segmented/lobed outline. Connecting the individual pits appears to represent the final stage of the original excavation process rather than any subsequent phase of ditch digging.

Significant quantities of finds were recovered from the filling of the ditch, mostly struck flint. Much of this occurred as distinct dumps of knapping waste deposited on the base of the ditch and at various points within the lower and middle fills. Further traces of human cremated bone were also recovered at one point on the northwest side, opposite the previous cremation find and at a slightly lower level.

In contrast to the large amounts of prehistoric flintwork recovered, the quantity of pottery found was generally disappointing and mostly consisted of plain, rather small, non-descript fragments. However, the key exception to this was a scatter of about thirty sherds from a broken vessel of decorated Neolithic Mortlake ware (provisionally dated c.3000 BC) found in the upper-middle filling of the ditch towards the eastern end of Trench 6. Several sherds of decorated Beaker ware were also found in the upper filling of the ditch in this area.

All the evidence so far suggests a Neolithic date for the construction of this site. A series of soil samples have been taken for radiocarbon and OSL dating, and the results are eagerly awaited so that a more definite date range for the monument may be established.

[fg]Fig 2: Excavations of the ring ditch underway by volunteers[/fg]

[fg]Fig 3: Large amounts of flint washed and sorted by volunteers alongside a small quantity of pottery[/fg]

The Southeast Ring Ditch

Between 2018 and 2023, excavations at the southeast ring ditch indicated that the monument was likely an enclosure. It had a rounded rectangular shape measuring approximately 20m x 15m, with ditch terminals at the southern ends, forming what was probably an entrance to the southwest.

On the longitudinal sides, the ditch seems much more substantial than the curve to the north. The longitudinal side of the ditch is 4 meters wide and reaches a depth of up to 2.5 meters. Similar to the findings from the northwest ring ditch, significant quantities of artefacts, including possible Neolithic ceramics and mostly struck flint, were found in the fills of the ditch. Much of this occurred as distinct dumps of knapping waste deposited at the base.

This year, an additional excavation was conducted to investigate the longitudinal ditch in the east. It served as a base of operations for the Enabled Archaeology Foundation (EAF) and Operation Nightingale. Members from both organisations collaborated to produce an additional section of the ditch profile and recover more artefacts to aid in dating the monument.

[fg]Fig 4: Excavation of the east ditch[/fg]

Holly Grove Mound

While the main excavation team was busy on the northwest ring ditch, a smaller team investigated a standing mound in Holly Grove wood, roughly midway between the southeast and northwest ring ditches. Although known on the Estate for many years, the possibility that this mound represented a prehistoric round barrow has only been recognised recently.

In 2024, a single trench was cut on the eastern side of the mound to confirm the presence of an enclosing ditch and recover dating evidence. The substantial ditch was eventually located and buried by more than one metre of down-washed soil containing probable Late Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery.

From the small section seen, the ditch was apparently of segmental construction, similar to the northwest ring ditch. A dump of struck flint was found on its base, and a prehistoric date for this monument now seems to have been established. That it belongs to the Neolithic period looks quite probable, although further analysis is required.

Experimental Archaeology

[fg]Fig 5: Excavations underway at Holly Grove Mound[/fg]

This year, in addition to excavations, several experimental archaeology sessions were held. Alex Read conducted a session for the Bexley YAC group, where he amazed everyone by casting coins from scratch. Many volunteers also tried their hand at creating Prehistoric pots using clay from the site, and the results were astonishing.

[fg]Fig 6: Volunteer Prehistoric pottery creations[/fg]

Conclusions

Taken together, there is accumulating evidence for widespread prehistoric habitation in the vicinity of Stringmans Farm, and Neolithic origins for this now seem pretty likely. Further potential sites in the area have been identified, and more work is planned for 2025, although it will be a while before the full story of the region’s prehistoric past becomes clear to any degree. Meanwhile, look out for notices about next year’s excavations, which promise to be equally interesting.

[fg]Fig 7: Coin Casting[/fg]

Our thanks, as always, to Lady Sondes, Liz Roberts, and the Lees Court Estate Team, all of whom make this community archaeology project possible and facilitate our requirements on-site without hesitation.