M2 Junction 5 Improvements, Kent

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology in
October and November 2017 around Junction 5 of the M2, Kent. The work
was commissioned by Hochtief (UK) Ltd on behalf of Highways England. A 5%
sample of the 21.8 hectare site was agreed, comprising 71 trenches.
No features of archaeological significance were found south-west of the
junction, and only one undated feature to the north-east. To the north-west
and south-east, however, there were features and finds of a variety of dates.
A relatively large assemblage of flintwork was recovered. The majority of this
was of Mesolithic date, and included both material possibly from
contemporary features, including a deep pit or shaft, and redeposited in later
contexts. There was also widespread flintwork of Neolithic or early Bronze Age
date.
A few sherds of flint-tempered pottery of late Bronze Age or Iron age date
were also found in features, but the quantities were too small to date these
features with confidence. Some activity of later prehistoric date however
clearly took place in the north-western part of the site.
Two areas of smelting activity were discovered, one on the north-west, the
other on the south-east. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained, a late Iron Age
date from the south-east area, and a late Iron Age or early Roman date from
the north-west area, alongside pottery of a similar date.
One or more furnaces were uncovered as well as a relatively large quantity of
metalworking debris. This included slag from non-tapping and tapping
furnaces, generally assigned to the Iron Age and Roman periods respectively.
A technological transition is therefore apparent at these sites, moving to more
effective smelting techniques. The site shares many similarities to two
bloomeries recently excavated at Stockbury nearby.
Part of the Chatham Land Front defensive line was known to pass through the
site. This was built in response to a possible German invasion during World
War One. Elements of this complex were discovered during the evaluation,
although they do not appear to be well preserved.
Areas of made ground were discovered in the central part of the site at the
bottom of the valley. These layers are over 2m deep, and were probably
deposited during the construction of the M2