Prehistoric features, Martell's Quarry (EHER 18917)

Prehistoric activity in the investigated area of the site appears to be of a marginal nature suggesting temporary exploitation rather than settled occupation.

Evaluation, 1997 Two areas of quarry were trenched but no archaeological features were found <1> There is reference in the report to a geophysical survey done by Geophysical Survey's of Bradford the evidence of which was used to locate trenches. <1> Evaluation, 2000 Evaluation of area F. Material of probable Early Bronze Age date was recovered from three features; a ditch, a burnt area and a pit. The ditch produced material from all three fills, with a flint scraper securely resting in the lower, primary fill. A sherd of intrusive Post-Medieval (probably 16th century) pottery was recovered from the upper fill, together with two sherds likely to be of prehistoric (Bronze Age) date. The evidence would seem to indicate a Bronze Age boundary feature of some sort. The extensive Bronze Age cemetery further north was associated with several large ditches, perhaps forming rectilinear enclosures. The burnt area was examined further during excavation and is detailed below under contex E7. <2> Excavation, 2001 Excavations were carried out on three 60m x 60m areas in advance of sand quarrying. <2> Bronze Age material was recovered from some of the features and suggests temporary exploitation of the area. A Bronze Age date has been ascribed to six features; Ditch 18 (though this may be residual and the ditch be of post-medieval date), a burnt area (Context E5), Pits E7, 24 and 29 and cremation/pyre pit 1007. The burnt feature E5 contains apparently only Early Bronze Age material. It appears to have been a fire set upon the ground surface, perhaps a single- or minimal-use cooking fire. The unfinished arrowhead recovered from the burnt silts may have fallen in during manufacture, or been thrown in. No evidence was visible around the burnt area to suggest associated structures, such as stake-holes for windbreak. <2> <3> The large pit (Context E7) was more ambiguous, as it contained flint-tempered pottery suggestive of a Bronze Age date, but also sand-tempered wares of possibly Iron Age date. Two sherds likely to be of Roman date were also recovered. No stratification was visible in the fill, which contained a degree of mottling throughout. More dating evidence would be needed to finalise the date of this feature as, from the current assemblage, it is uncertain whether the prehistoric material is residual or the Roman material is intrusive. The small pit (Context 24) contained 11 sherds of probable Bronze Age pottery and a single flint flake, this feature is clearly prehistoric in date although its function cannot be ascertained. The adjacent small pit 29 also contained a Bronze Age pottery assemblage, 27 sherds in all, including a number of decorated sherds and part of a carination of a vessel. Similarly this pit is prehistoric in date though the available evidence shows little indication of function. <2> <3> All in all, with the exception of Ditch 19, which is of uncertain date, the prehistoric activity in the investigated area of the site appears to be of a marginal nature suggesting temporary exploitation rather than settled occupation. <3> Roman features are detailed further in EHER 81963 and Medieval finds and features are detailed further in EHER 81962.