NHER 68899 (Monument record) - Medieval enclosures and other, prehistoric, post-medieval and undated remains

November 2023. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
This survey identified a cluster of potentially archaeologically-significant linear anomalies in the north-east corner of the western field which appear to represent ditches forming a series of abutting rectilinear enclosures. Although undated, their position adjacent to Spirketts Lane suggests a medieval to post-medieval date. No corresponding features can be seen on any of the available 19th-century maps.
The small number of potentially archaeologically-significant responses recorded elsewhere include a pair of adjacent linear anomalies to the west of the possible enclosures. A discrete anomaly with a strong magnetic signal was also recorded in this part of the site, although it is noted that this could be of agricultural or modern origin.
Distinct east-north-east to west-south-west and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned linear anomalies in the southern half of the site correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Mendham tithe map (a relevant extract of which is reproduced in (S2)). A pair of large discrete anomalies adjacent to these boundary ditches coincide with two former ponds shown on the same map. A third large anomaly with a similar magnetic signal was recorded towards the northern end of the western field. This could represent either another infilled pond or a spread of ferrous material.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 February 2025.

November 2023. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential impact of proposed development.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 February 2025.

March-April 2024. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The 32 trenches excavated uncovered a cluster of medieval features associated with the anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey but only sparse, scattered remains across the remainder of the site.
The limited evidence for earlier activity included a small assemblage of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery, all of which came from a cluster of pits uncovered in the southern half of the western field. The majority of these sherds came from a large feature interpreted as a possible waterhole, which had a primary fill of clay overlain by a blueish grey silty sand deposit that suggested it had once held water. A single residual sherd of Middle Bronze Age pottery was also recovered from this feature and a sample from one of its fills was found to contain charcoal and fragments of fired clay, animal bone and burnt flint. A small number of Neolithic/Bronze Age worked flints were also recovered during the work, with the majority coming from a small, otherwise undated pit.
Other potentially early features included a north-to-south aligned ditch at the northern end of the eastern field, which contained a small assemblage of wheel-made Late Iron Age/Roman transitional pottery. Sherds of similar pottery were also recovered from a ditch and a pit or ditch terminus within the main group of medieval features. Two sherds from a Late Iron Age 'Belgic-type' vessel found in an otherwise undated ditch may have been slightly earlier in date but were most likely contemporary with this transitional material.
As expected, archaeological remains were densest in the north-east corner of the western field, where the main group of geophysical anomalies had been identified. Various ditches were uncovered in this area, including several north-to-south and east-to-west aligned features that corresponded with specific geophysical anomalies. A number of these features produced medieval pottery, confirming the likely date of these remains - although the quantities present were generally small. Several discrete features were also recorded in this part of the site, the most notable being a pit that produced the largest single assemblage of medieval pottery. A sample from its fill was found to contain charcoal, indeterminate charred grains and seeds, and fragments of animal bone and burnt clay. The medieval pottery assemblage recovered at this site comprises a mix of early medieval and high medieval wares and it is noted that most sherds are small and abraded.
Evidence for later activity was largely limited to a small number of features of probable post-medieval date. These included what appeared to be a substantial linear feature that contained late medieval/early post-medieval pottery sherds and post-medieval brick and tile fragments. This corresponded with a short east-to-west aligned linear geophysical anomaly that appeared to form part of an enclosure, although its considerable size and depth compared to other ditches recorded suggests it was potentially a large pit (particularly as the anomalies potentially forming the western and northern sides of this enclosure were found to have no corresponding features). Another substantial feature encountered nearby also contained post-medieval material and was much more obviously a large pit or pond. Other post-medieval remains included two ditches in the southern half of the site that clearly corresponded with former field boundaries depicted on the 19th-century maps (both of which had been identified by the geophysical survey).
The other features recorded were all undated, including various ditches and a small number of possible pits.
None of the potentially archaeological-significant linear and discrete geophysical anomalies identified to the west of the enclosure group were found to be associated with sub-surface remains.
Unstratified finds were limited to a small number of prehistoric worked flints and a post-medieval roof tile.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 February 2025.