Thanet’s latest big dig revealing the area’s exciting history is being captured on film.
A rich vein of important archaeological remains discovered along the entire route of the East Kent Access road is being recorded for a major BBC2 documentary, Digging for Britain. The programme is due to be broadcast in August.
The excavation is the largest dig in the country in 2010 – over six kilometres long.
KCC archaeologist Simon Mason being interviewed by the film crew
The finds include twelve Bronze Age ring ditches (the remains of burial mounds) dating back over 3,500 years, Iron Age enclosures and a village which lasted into Roman times at Ebbsfleet.
There are also areas of Roman settlements, their fields and track ways, Roman and Saxon cemeteries, Saxon buildings, and a large Saxon enclosure with huge quantities of shellfish, evidence of the preparation of a feast or processing later provisions.
More recent finds include the remains of trenches excavated to defend Manston airfield during the second world war.
Kent County Council principal archaeological officer Simon Mason, who was interviewed on location, said:
“Thanet was the gateway to England in ancient times and it’s no surprise that this dig has unearthed so many valuable remains. What is impressive is the story it tells us about how people were living here.”
Local people are being invited to get involved with the big dig. Volunteers can work alongside professional archaeologists during a community excavation from 10 May until 4 June, and school visits are being arranged. Archaeologists are also available to talk to schools, societies and local organisations.
Archaeologist Rob Scott holding part of a bone knife handle that he found during the dig
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