| Title: |
Land at Station Road Langford, Bedfordshire: Archaeological Mitigation |
| Series: |
Albion Archaeology unpublished report series
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| Downloads: |
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albionar1-277098_1.pdf (4 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: |
The excavations at Station Road, Langford revealed evidence of early-middle Iron Age, medieval and post-medieval to modern activity. Early-middle Iron Age activity comprised three rectilinear enclosures of varying sizes which likely represent elements of a small settlement. An enclosure was located at the southern extent of the excavation area and was defined by substantial ditches. Extending north from this was a more extensive enclosure , within which were scattered discrete features as well as a further, small enclosure . Activity continued beyond the development area limiting conclusions can be drawn from the revealed remains. The lack of diagnostic pottery forms makes precise dating of specific settlement elements difficult, however, the available evidence suggests that whilst the settlement may have been established in the early Iron Age, the majority of activity probably took place in the middle Iron Age (c. 4th - 2nd Century BC). The lack of finds dating to late Iron Age or Roman periods suggests that the settlement was probably abandoned by the 1st Century BC. Although there was no direct evidence of habitation, such as roundhouses, the quantity of finds indicates that settlement activity was taking place in the vicinity. After abandonment of the Iron Age settlement there is no further evidence of activity within the excavation area until the medieval period. Although very few features of this period were present, the identification of a furrow suggests that this area was most likely open fields at this time, utilised for strip cultivation. In the post-medieval to modern period a number of field boundaries were established, defined by ditches. Gaps in the boundaries likely represent field entrances and parallel ditches in the eastern part of the excavation area may represent a routeway. Given their isolated position within a field the cluster of pits and layer are probably associated with farming activities. |
| Author: |
I Leslie
W Starke
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| Publisher: |
Albion Archaeology
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| Year of Publication: |
2018
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| Locations: |
| County: |
Bedfordshire |
| District: |
Central Bedfordshire |
| Parish: |
Langford |
| Country: |
England |
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Grid Reference: 518808, 240329 (Easting, Northing)
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| Subjects / Periods: |
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
albionar1-277098 |
| OBIB: |
2018/55 |
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| Source: |
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| Relations: |
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| Created Date: |
11 Jul 2023 |
