An archaeological strip, map and sample excavation by W Weller of SCAU revealed archaeological deposits of multiple periods with Late Bronze Age and Roman features the most dominant. A series of three excavations was conducted in the same area during the 1970s and this phase of work represented a chance to further enhance the understanding of settlement activity in the area. A number of large ditches were observed, generally in the north and west of the site, including a continuation of Early Bronze Age and medieval ditches previously excavated during the earlier fieldwork, a large Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age enclosure ditch that had previously revealed a smelter’s hoard of bronze items and, on this occasion, moderate amounts of occupational debris; possible ditches of an Early/Middle Iron Age date, and an extensive Roman ditch that is, with some certainty, the southern roadside ditch to a significant Roman road. A cluster of postholes in the north-east of the site represents a series of related structures and, despite producing no datable finds, they probably date to the Late Bronze Age. In common with a number of features in what was probably a consistently occupied area, the postholes showed signs of removal and systematic backfilling, with little evidence of natural silting. This process was evident on a number of features, including the upper layers of the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age enclosure ditch, indicating a reinstatement of land and signifying an alteration in land use. An ensuing trial trench evaluation by W Weller of SCAU within the garden of 64 The Avenue, to the north-west of the excavation, revealed additional archaeological deposits but as the area would not be impacted by the current development, no further archaeological work was undertaken in the 2016 programme.
Year:
2016
ID:
2759
NGR:
TQ016716
Periods:
Borough:
Organisation: