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OASIS Report(s)
Alexander, J. (2018). Archaeological Evaluation: Land off Aldham Mill Hill, Hadleigh, Suffolk. Archaeology South-East. https://doi.org/10.5284/1052002.
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| Alexander, J. (2018) Archaeological Evaluation Land off Aldham Mill Hill, Hadleigh, Suffolk. Archaeology South East | |||
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| Filename | 171090_EV-2018172-V4-compressed.pdf (4 MB) |
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| Description | This report presents the results of an archaeological evaluation carried out by Archaeology South-East on land off Aldham Mill Hill, Hadleigh, Suffolk, between 03 April and 26 April 2018. The fieldwork was commissioned by CgMs Ltd in advance of a planning application for residential development. A preceding geophysical survey within the site detected a range of anomalies of possible or probable archaeological origin, including two large multi-concentric ringditches corresponding with known cropmarks identified from aerial photography and interpreted as probable Bronze Age funerary monuments. A possible third example, also in the south of the site was also detected. A possible Roman enclosure, discrete features representing unenclosed activity, including a small square enclosure, and a number of linear ditch- and/or track-like anomalies were also identified. A total of twenty-four evaluation trenches and six 7m x 7m test pits were investigated across the c.8.2ha evaluation site (application area 7.94ha), the majority targeted upon selected geophysical survey anomalies. Of these, twenty-two trenches and all six test pits were found to contain archaeological remains. A generally high degree of correlation between the results of the geophysical survey and archaeological evaluation was demonstrated. A single small pit toward the north-east of the site is tentatively identified to be of possible Mesolithic or Neolithic date. The presence of three of the known ring-ditches was confirmed, with the fourth proving to be a linear ditch of unknown date. The nature of their form was clarified, with one being demonstrated to comprise a double ring. Whilst only one ring-ditch contained pottery of broadly Late Bronze Age to Early/Middle Iron Age date, the three ring-ditches are considered to be broadly Bronze Age in date, probably being associated with further barrow remains previously excavated to the south-east of the site. To the north-west, the small square-shaped enclosure anomaly was located and determined to be of Early Iron Age date. It is tentatively interpreted as a possible funerary monument The presence of the extensive Roman enclosure across the north of the site was confirmed, along with an apparent trackway running up, and into its southern entrance. Pits and ditches probably relating to the occupation or use of the enclosure were recorded in its interior. A further extensive ditch running across the enclosure suggests that this Roman period land use activity is multi-phased; the recorded remains appear to be of later Roman date. Evidence of post-Roman land use activity was sparse and limited to a single postmedieval ditch. |
