NHER 22576 (Monument record) - Middle Saxon features and objects

8 May 1986. Fieldwalking in strawberries (S1).
Sherds of medieval pottery collected by A. Rogerson (NAU), during Middle Saxon sortie in this field.
Nature of crop prohibits absolute certainty as to whether a medieval concentration on the roddon (extinct watercourse). TSK EK.
Late Saxon sherds also found, and Middle Saxon including import (see file).
Compiled by R. J. Silvester (NAU), 13 May 1986.

Middle Saxon Ipswich ware found during above fieldwalking is plotted on map in file, showing part of a roddon (extinct watercourse) system.

June-July 1992. Excavation.
As part of the Fenland Management Project, excavation of a trial trench across the largest Ipswich Ware/Middle Saxon pottery scatter in Marshland producing over 1,000 sherds from field survey alone. Two trenches, 600 meters apart, were excavated across the roddon, measuring 4 by 100 meters.
A second trench cut across same scatter on site NHER 22275. Site located on roddon and excavation revealed Middle Saxon pits and ditches and a large pond like feature. Foraminifera analysis showed marine silts in all these features. A large blank area had enhanced phosphate levels in roddon silt - stock penning area/drove?. A number of pits were uncovered which contained charcoal rich deposits, animal bone and crop residues suggesting production of salt tolerant crops. Late Saxon features which were also excavated, seem to lack marine silt fills. This appears to be in relation to the construction of the sea bank, which provided more stable environmental conditions.
Contexts used 2-145 inclusive.
Map and summary report in file, See also reports on frog bones (S3) and plant macrofossils (S4). The results of this work are also summarised in (S5) and (S6).
Compiled by M. Leah (NAU), 16 July 1993 amended by M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 3 July 2013.

For full details of wares, flint types, etc. see Fenland Folders (S2).

5 November 1995. Fieldwalking by [1] and UEA Extra Mural Students.
See list in file.
Middle Saxon, Late Saxon, medieval and post medieval pottery.
Bone, i.e. antler combs, probably Middle Saxon and Late Saxon.
Finds identified by by [1].
Selected finds retained by [1], others NCM.
Compiled by A. Rogerson (NLA) 13 February 1996.

January 1996. Metal detecting and field walking in 4 areas.
Middle Saxon, ?Late Saxon, medieval sherds.
No significant metal finds, except undated lead bead/weight/spindle whorl.
Post medieval bell.
See list and sketch plan in file.
Compiled by A. Rogerson (NLA), 9 April 1996.