NHER 69489 (Monument record) - Undated but probably prehistoric pit

November-December 2024. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with restoration of fen habitat, including construction of sub-surface barrier to prevent groundwater movement and loss.
Across much of the area examined a dark peat-rich topsoil lay directly above the natural geological deposits, agricultural activity having incorporated all of the remaining peat into the topsoil.
A single fairly substantial pit of probable prehistoric date was recorded in this area. The dark, peaty fills of this feature contained a significant quantity of burnt flint and stone (more than 19kg). Samples taken from two of its fills produced large amounts of charcoal but nothing of in the way of other charred plant macrofossils. Although no dating evidence was recovered from this pit it is suggested that the peaty nature of its fills indicates it was most likely of later Bronze Age or later date. It is likely that it was broadly contemporary with the various 'burnt mound' and 'pot boiler' sites of probable Bronze Age date that have been recorded in the immediately vicinity of this site.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 October 2025.