NHER 66168 (Monument record) - Medieval and undated pits and ditches

February-March 2017. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on possible route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (GS07).
This site was part of one of 26 locations identified as a priority for examination due to their archaeological potential.
The survey identified a range of potentially archaeologically-significant responses, including two distinct clusters of discrete and linear anomalies, one in the south central part of the site and one at its eastern edge. The former includes two parallel north-east to south-west aligned possible ditches, between which are a number of positive discrete responses that potentially represent pits. The cluster of anomalies at the eastern edge of the site are similar in form and amplitude and also potentially represent pits and ditches. These responses are though partly obscured by a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned modern service that runs through this part of the site.
Other responses of note include a group of fragmentary linear anomalies in the northern part of the site that are tentatively interpreted as potentially representing a small enclosure and an associated ditch. A small possible ring-ditch was also identified at TG 1063 3094. Several other fragmentary linear anomalies were also recorded, although these of uncertain origin.
Scattered discrete dipolar 'spikes' and larger areas of weak magnetic disturbance are probably the result of ferrous material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 May 2025.

May 2018. Desk-based Assessment.
Environmental Impact Assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm on the historic environment. This study incorporated the results of an initial walkover survey and the first phases of geophysical survey.
See relevant chapter of Environmental Statement and associated appendices for further detail (S1).
P. Watkins (HES), 8 May 2025.

February-June 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (P1TT08; Trenches 38-47).
This work revealed a reasonably dense concentration of medieval features in the south central part of the site, which coincided with one of the main clusters of linear and discrete anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. The two fairly substantial north-east to south-west aligned linear anomalies were both found to have corresponding sub-surface remains, although the limited investigations of these features failed to establish their exact nature. Other features of probable medieval date at this location included five pits and a number of north-east to south-west and north-west to south-east aligned ditches, several of which corresponded with geophysical anomalies. These features produced pottery that was almost exclusively of medieval date, with earlier finds being limited to a small number of prehistoric worked flints, a Middle Bronze Age pottery sherd and two Late Saxon pottery sherds. Although a small amount of early medieval ware is also present, the bulk of the pottery assemblage is of high medieval date. Other finds recovered from these remains included fragments of iron tap slag, pieces of lava quern, a decorated bone handle, unworked animal bones, and oyster, cockle and whelk shells. Samples taken from three features all produced significant assemblages of charred plant macrofossils, with notable quantities of cereal grain present, along with weeds seeds and some crop processing debris. There was also evidence for the exploitation of wetland resources, with seeds from both rush and sedges noted. One sample contained frequent fragments of fired clay, suggesting this material likely represented a dump of oven waste.
Two north-west to south-east aligned ditches closer to the eastern edge of the site were potentially associated with the main group of medieval remains, although neither produced any dating evidence.
Features uncovered elsewhere included three ditches in the northern part of the site - two aligned north-east to south-west and one north-west to south-east. One of the former contained a single Early Bronze Age pottery sherd but the others produced no dating evidence. A single undated pit was also recorded in this part of the site, a sample from the fill of which was found to contain burnt flints but nothing in the way of charred plant macrofossils.
There was no evidence for archaeological remains associated with either the fragmentary linear geophysical anomalies recorded in the northernmost part of the site or the possible ring ditch identified a little way to the south.
It should be noted that the easternmost of the two main clusters of geophysical anomalies was not investigated during this phase of work.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 May 2025.