Margetts, Andrew; Allott, Lucy; Barber, Luke; Clifford, Trista; Doherty, Anna; Porteus, Sarah; Pringle, Susan; Sibun, Lucy; Raemen, Elke; (2024) The southern extent of the Late Roman settlement of Rutupiae: archaeological investigations relating to t

From the winter of 2006 to the autumn of 2008 a large programme of archaeological investigation occurred in relation to the installation of a new Thanet Supply Main by 4Delivery Limited (4D). This water pipeline stretches from the Goshall valley to the Weatherlees Water Treatment Works on the Isle of Thanet (see Fig.1). The work took place within a landscape well known for its archaeological importance and would include such areas as the Wantsum Channel, Richborough Island and the Ebbsfleet Peninsula. Archaeological activity dating from the late prehistoric to post-medieval periods was represented at various locations along the pipe-route with late prehistoric and late Roman features being the most numerous and significant. The evidence gathered has provided insights into the possible density of late prehistoric settlement on Richborough Island as well as the nature and probable southern extent of the late Roman settlement surrounding Richborough Castle. In addition to these discoveries the deep and linear excavations allowed paleogeographical analysis into the development of the landscape both as it was in antiquity and as it is today.