| Title: |
Excavation at Land of Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield |
| Series: |
University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) unpublished report series
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| Downloads: |
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universi1-505021_193058.pdf (14 MB)
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Download
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| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
Two areas were identified for excavation. To the south-west Area A was approximately 0.32 ha. Area B on the higher ground to the north-east was 0.13 ha (Fig. 3). These areas were set out with a a differential GPS. The WSI initially required a deposit identified as possible mound material within the ‘square barrow’ in Area A to be left on and removed by hand. However, during excavation it became clear that the western ‘barrow ditch’ identified in Trench 7 was in fact a geological feature and that the deposit was in fact the subsoil which could be seen in patches spread across the whole area. This deposit was subsequently removed by machine to the top of archaeological deposits. All excavation of features was done by hand. Investigative slots were put through each of the ring ditches located to try and determine the plan and phasing. This included targeted longitudinal slots to determine any changes in ditch depth to the base, and difference in deposition associated with ditch re-cutting of entrances. Once recorded the entire fill of the ring ditches was excavated. The urned cremations were lifted on site as blocks and excavated within the ULAS laboratories. Other discrete features were half sectioned and recorded. Detailed plans were undertaken using GPS and supplemented by drawn records, digital photographs, aerial photographs and written records. Excavation was carried out using a tracked mechanical excavator fitted with a flat-bladed ditching bucket to the depth of geological horizons, or to the upper interface of archaeological deposits. Dumper trucks were used to store the top and subsoils separately. Three ring ditches, and associated cremations. The earliest phase dated to the late Neolithic/ early Bronze-age which comprised of a heavily truncated Hengiform monument with to opposing north and south entrances with the latter closed at some point. Phase 2, in close proximity to the west was in the form of equally truncated C- shaped enclosure with a very shallow pit marking one of the two terminals. Included within the enclosure was a large central un-urned cremation pit of contemporary date to the C-shaped enclosure. Of particular interest was a slightly later phase of cremations (urned & un-urned ) identified close to the south-east side of the C-shaped enclosure ditch of a possible later phase. Three of the collared urn cremations contained accompanying funeral cups with the closest parallel to excavations undertaken at Benachie Hill, Aberdeenshire. A few un-phased discreet features were located within the proximity of the tow ring ditches, and while these small features were of comparatively little interest, a four post structure was located close to the Hengiform monument. Although no artefactual or environmental evidence was recovered, the structure could represent the base of a cremation platform amongst other interpretations. The latest Bronze-age phase was a complete ring ditch approximately 200m to the north in second excavation area. Of better preservation, it covered an internal diameter of 15m. No re-cutting was identified. A single pit containing burnt clay and human bone was identified within the enclosure, although off-centre. The pit may have been associated with an overlying cremation platform. Other small un-urned cremations were identified within the enclosure and outside, with the former partly excavated during the evaluation by Oxford Archaeology. |
| Author: |
J Patrick
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| Publisher: |
University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS)
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| Year of Publication: |
2021
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| Locations: |
| District: |
Ashfield |
| County: |
Nottinghamshire |
| Parish: |
Ashfield, unparished area |
| Country: |
England |
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Grid Reference: 450727, 360868 (Easting, Northing)
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| Subjects / Periods: |
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MIDDLE BRONZE AGE
(Historic England Periods)
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DEATH BURIAL OR FUNERARY OBJECT
(Object England)
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MIDDLE BRONZE AGE DEATH BURIAL OR FUNERARY OBJECT
(Tag)
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EXCAVATION
(Event)
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
universi1-505021 |
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| Source: |
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| Relations: |
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| Created Date: |
09 Jan 2023 |
