NHER 66444 (Monument record) - Undated enclosures and potentially associated remains and possible remnants of ridge and furrow cultivation

October 2020-March 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Bexwell to Bury St Edmunds pipeline (Area 3).
This survey saw the investigation of two separate areas, linked by a narrow strip examined immediately adjacent to Bexwell Road.
A group of east-north-east to west-south-west and north-north-west to south-south-east aligned linear anomalies were identified at the northern end of the eastern survey area. It is highly likely that these represent a series of rectilinear enclosures adjacent to the Bexwell Road. A number of discrete anomalies identified within these enclosures potentially represent pit-type features. The apparent relationship between the enclosures and the Bexwell Road suggests a medieval to post-medieval date is most likely for these remains, which were potentially associated with an area of former settlement. A number of similarly-aligned linear anomalies to the south may represent broadly contemporary remains, although these were notably weaker and more fragmentary.
A series of parallel north-to-south aligned responses identified in the western survey area are interpretated as the traces of medieval or early post-medieval ridge and furrow cultivation. Another, similarly-aligned linear anomaly in this area is likely to represent a ditch associated with a former field boundary depicted on the Bexwell Tithe map of 1838 (S1).
Various amorphous discrete anomalies are thought to be of natural origin.
Numerous discrete dipolar anomalies are likely to have been caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 November 2022.

July 2021. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potentially impact of proposed Anglian Water Bexwell to Bury St Edmunds pipeline.
For further details see report (S3), which was submitted as part of the Environmental Statement for the scheme.
P. Watkins (HES), 17 November 2022.

September 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Bexwell to Bury St Edmunds pipeline (Trenches 20-23).
Four trenches were excavated at this location – two close to the western edge of the field and two in the north-east corner.
The results of this work were entirely negative with no archaeologically-significant features or deposits recorded. It should though be noted that the two easternmost trenches were positioned to fall between the two groups of linear anomalies recorded by the preceding geophysical survey. The nature, condition and date of any associated remains is therefore still uncertain.
A single medieval pottery sherd was recovered from a subsoil deposit in the easternmost trench.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 November 2022.