Archaeological excavation by Colchester Archaeological Trust on land at Crown Quarry, Old Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, 2022 - EEX60605

Archaeological excavation was carried out on land at Crown Quarry, Old Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, Essex in advance of the construction of a small business park. Extensive archaeological work has been undertaken in the surrounding area which has revealed five Iron Age/early Roman sites (Sites A-E) which differ in date and location. Two evaluations have been conducted in the proposed development area, both finding further evidence of Late Iron Age and Roman activity. This phase of work uncovered an area of activity starting in the Late Iron Age and continuing through to the late 2nd/early 3rd century, with evidence of a nearby high status building. This activity is probably related to the Late Iron Age site (Site D) to the south. Part of a post-medieval/modern field system was also identified.