Pitstock Solar Farm, Pitstock Road, Rodmersham, Kent ME9 0QP. Archaeological evaluation report.

A total of 16 evaluation trenches were cut, each positioned to target anomalies identified during a previous geophysical survey. At least two phases of activity are represented at the site, the earliest of which may represent a series of ditched enclosures associated with a field system. Pottery dated to the later Bronze Age / Iron Age period was recovered, which may be related to this phase of activity. In Field 2, ditches were identified which corresponded to the geophysical anomalies. Together the evidence suggests that an entrance to a large ditched enclosure at the west of the area is represented. Contemporary features situated within the interior and to the exterior of the enclosure, were all recorded, including a potential quarry feature and evidence for possible furnace bases. Further evidence for metalworking associated with this phase was provided by the presence of iron slag in many of the features. Pottery recovered suggests a late first century BC to first century AD date for this activity. To the east in Field 4, small pits and linear ditches were identified. These may represent a rectangular enclosure in this area, with perhaps evidence for a trackway continuing beyond to the south-east. The activity in this area appears to be broadly contemporary with the later phase in Field 2. Iron slag was recovered from several features in this area and a similar date range is represented by the pottery. One large possible quarry feature of post-medieval date was recorded in trench 11 and modern features were identified in trench 1.