NHER 70246 (Monument record) - Middle Saxon to Saxo-Norman and undated remains

February 2016. Earthwork Survey.
Analytical earthwork survey of proposed development site.
Although a number of earthworks were recorded these are all of low height, with ill-defined breaks of slope. The most notable is a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned low bank running between approximately TL 7300 9481 and TL 7299 9476. This coincides with the eastern limit of a group of medieval earthworks recorded to the west (NHER 24980), with the orientation of this feature similar to that of the previously mapped enclosures. A shallow depression adjacent to this bank at the southern edge of the site is potentially an infilled pond but most likely a natural undulation in the ground surface.
Four relatively small hollows were also noted at the eastern end of the site. Two probably mark the location of trees that can be seen at this location on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S1), while another relates to an extant water trough. The fourth is most likely a natural undulation. A mounded feature at the northern edge of the site appears to incorporate a large slab of concrete and is therefore presumably a modern feature – perhaps representing material cleared to level the ground for the adjacent recreation ground.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 September 2026.

March 2016. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential archaeological impact of proposed development.
Information from draft Heritage Statement. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 September 2026.

January 2019. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The 12 trenches excavated revealed a range of ditches and discrete features, the bulk of which appear to have been associated with Middle Saxon to Saxo-Norman phases of activity. Evidence for earlier activity was limited to a single Roman tile fragment, several Early Saxon pottery sherds and two undiagnostic handmade pottery sherds of Late Prehistoric or Early Saxon date – all of which appeared to be residual within later features.
Middle Saxon pottery were recovered from a north-west to south-east aligned ditch, a pit and a post-hole. Although the quantities were very small no later material was found in these features so they were potentially associated with this phase of activity. The ditch was of particular interest as its probable continuation in an adjacent trench appeared to have had an oven constructed over its lower fills. The base of this oven survived as a flat patch of hard, burnt clay, the central part of which had been scorched a dark purplish red. Other finds recovered from these features of potential Middle Saxon date included fragments of animal bone and a single piece of iron smithing slag. Samples taken from their fills were all found to contain low to moderate numbers of cereal grains, seeds and nutshell fragments.
A greater number of Late Saxon pottery sherds were found, with these primarily recovered from a series of additional north-west to south-east aligned ditches. Other finds from these features included fragments of animal bone, pieces of lava quern and a worked bird bone that had possibly been used as a needle case. At least one of the ditches produced Late Saxon pottery likely to date to the very end of the period and one of a pair of adjacent north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditches in the western half of the site was found to contain a mix of Late Saxon and early medieval pottery - suggesting that this was also probably associated with 11th-century activity. There was though no evidence for significant subsequent activity on the site. As a result, it is likely that the various undated ditches and pits recorded were associated with activity during or prior to the 11th century.
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with the low bank recorded during the preceding earthwork survey, although its position and orientation suggest it was potentially related to the two north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditches recorded in a trench a little way to the north.
Unstratified finds were limited to a medieval coin and three undatable lead offcuts (possibly waste from the roofing lead).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 September 2026.