| Abstract: |
As specified in the WSI (OA 2019), two areas were excavated in order to investigate
evidence of late Iron Age/Roman activity found during the 2018 evaluation (OA 2018).
A north-eastern area targeted the features identified in Trenches 14, 18 and 19, and covered an area measuring c 2920m2. A south-western area targeted the features
within Trenches 1 and 5, and covered an area measuring c 3900m2.
The two excavation areas were set out by an OA surveyor using a GPS system with a sub-20mm accuracy. They were then machine stripped by a mechanical excavator with a toothless bucket under constant archaeological supervision. Overlying topsoil and
subsoil were removed, exposing the archaeological horizon or the surface of the natural geology, whichever was uppermost. The resultant surfaces were then hand
cleaned, as necessary, and digital pre-excavation plans prepared using GPS by OA
surveyors. The pre-excavation plans were made available for on-site use.
A sufficient sample of the revealed features was investigated by hand to establish their character and date, where possible. An initial 10-20% of linear features (ditches and gullies) were sampled, excavated by means of 1m-long slots generally at 10m intervals.
Where required, a minimum 50% sample of all discrete features was excavated. The excavation uncovered part of a substantial ditch on a north-south alignment
(1189), and an adjacent complex of slighter boundary ditches and enclosures
extending over an area of at least 275m. The dating evidence from the ditches is
unfortunately very ambiguous, being limited to six sherds of pottery: four of late Iron
Age or early Roman date, one of either Roman or Saxon date, and one of Ipswich ware
dated to AD 720-850. While there are stratigraphic relationships between some
ditches, these do not provide a clear sequence of development of the ditch complex
as a whole. It is possible that the earliest elements of the ditch complex were laid out
in the late Iron Age or early Roman period, and that there was a separate subsequent
phase of enclosure in the Saxon period. However, given that the late Iron Age/Roman
sherds are typically small and abraded, in contrast to the larger sherd of Ipswich ware
recovered from ditch 1175, it can tentatively be suggested that the ditch complex as a
whole dates to the Anglo-Saxon period or later, and that the earlier pottery is residual.
The ditches are likely to have defined fields or paddocks of agricultural use, or possibly
outlying plots associated with a nearby settlement. The very low quantities of artefacts
and animal bone recovered, and the absence of charred plant remains other than a
small amount of charcoal, imply that any settlement focus was not directly adjacent to
the excavated area. The only finds worthy of note are the one certain and one possible
sherd of Ipswich ware pottery. Ipswich ware typically forms a minority element of
Saxon pottery assemblages from rural sites in the region, so the fact that it forms the
only Saxon ware represented from this site is notable. However, little more can be said
about such a small assemblage. |
