NHER 66456 (Monument record) - Undated and post-medieval ditches

October 2020-March 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Bexwell to Bury St Edmunds pipeline (Area 103).
This survey identified an adjoining pair of north-north-east to south-south-west and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned ditches at the eastern end of the site that both correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Ryston and Roxham tithe map (S1). Two additional linear anomalies running parallel to the latter presumably represent earlier elements of the same field system.
Numerous discrete anomalies were identified in the southern half of the site, although the majority are thought to be the results of natural variations in the underlying geology, with only two identified as potentially archaeologically-significant.
Scattered 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), 13 April 2023.

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), 13 April 2023.

September 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Bexwell to Bury St Edmunds pipeline (Trenches 55-57).
Three trenches were excavated at this location, all to the south of the area examined by the preceding geophysical survey. Three ditches were revealed in one of the trenches, one of which was aligned east-to-west and likely to be associated with a former field boundary depicted on the Ordnance Survey 1st Edition Six-inch map (S4). The two other features were differently aligned and of uncertain date.
No finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 April 2023.