1109908. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Land at Potton Road, Wrestlingworth, Bedfordshire: Archaeological Investigation, Recording, Analysis and Publication

Series:

Albion Archaeology unpublished report series

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1109908

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

Archaeological evaluation of the site had previously revealed the potential survival of remains dated to the Anglo-Saxon period. Advice provided by the CBC Archaeological Officer indicated a requirement for a strip, map, and sample investigation of the permitted development area in order to fulfil pre-commencement condition no. 6. Albion Archaeology was commissioned to undertake the archaeological mitigation works, in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation The archaeological remains revealed were concentrated in the east half of the site. Evidence for activity ranging in date from the late Anglo-Saxon to the modern periods was identified. The earliest remains comprised a shallow quarry pit and a series of boundary ditches established in the late Anglo-Saxon period. The alignment of the boundary persisted into the early medieval period and hedgerows on a similar alignment may have been used to mark smaller plots to the west of the ditches. Three pits were also dated to the early medieval period. A small assemblage of artefacts and ecofacts were recovered, suggesting that the site lay on the periphery of Anglo-Saxon/medieval Wrestlingworth. Activity appears to have ceased by the end of the 13th century. The remains were heavily truncated in places by a modern driveway and demolished building, associated with the former use of the site as allotments. Although the remains were limited in extent, they support the idea that the village of Wrestlingworth has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon period and form part of a growing body of archaeological evidence indicating that the initial settlement was founded in the 10th century. The earliest remains comprised a shallow quarry pit and a series of boundary ditches established in the late Anglo-Saxon period. The alignment of the boundary persisted into the early medieval period and hedgerows on a similar alignment may have been used to mark smaller plots to the west of the ditches. Three pits were also dated to the early medieval period. A small assemblage of artefacts and ecofacts were recovered, suggesting that the site lay on the periphery of Anglo-Saxon/medieval Wrestlingworth. Activity within the area appears to have ceased by the end of the 13th century. The remains were heavily truncated in places by a modern driveway and demolished building, associated with the former use of the site as allotments. Although the remains were limited in extent, they support the idea that the village of Wrestlingworth has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon period and form part of a growing body of archaeological evidence indicating that the initial settlement was founded in the 10th century.

Author:

Kathy Pilkinton
Drew Shotliff

Publisher:

Albion Archaeology

Year of Publication:

2021

Locations:

Parish:	Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley
County:	Bedfordshire
District:	Central Bedfordshire
Country:	England

Grid Reference: 525688, 247499 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

PIT (Monument Type England)

DITCH (Monument Type England)

EARLY MEDIEVAL POT (Tag)

QUERN (Object England)

EARLY MEDIEVAL PIT (Tag)

EARLY MEDIEVAL WEFT BEATER (Tag)

EARLY MEDIEVAL ANIMAL REMAINS (Tag)

ANIMAL REMAINS (Object England)

OPEN AREA EXCAVATION (Event)

BOUNDARY DITCH (Monument Type England)

WEFT BEATER (Object England)

EARLY MEDIEVAL QUERN (Tag)

EARLY MEDIEVAL DITCH (Tag)

POT (Object England)

EARLY MEDIEVAL BOUNDARY DITCH (Tag)

EARLY MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:	albionar1-411176
Report id:	2021/93

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

11 Jul 2023