Late Neolithic to early Bronze Age causewayed ring ditch at land west of Hall Road (EHER 49001)

A 2014 excavation revealed evidence of a causewayed ring ditch, a barrow, and a series of post holes and pits dating from the late Neolithic to the early Bronze Age.

August to October 2014. Excavation. Late Neolithic to early Bronze Age activity was restricted to Area B and included a penannular ring-ditch, with some possible associated pitting. The ring-ditch, which was located in the north-western corner of Area B measured 19.7m north-south, and 19.9m east-west. The ditch itself ranged between 0.95m and 2.30m in width and 0.40m to 0.67m in depth. A narrow causeway, around 1.3m wide was located on the southern side of the ring ditch, defined by two rounded termini. An additional short length of ditch within the monument is of uncertain function but may suggest modification/re-cutting of the ring-ditch. The dating of the ring-ditch to the ate Neolithic to early Bronze Age is through the flint, which was concentrated around this feature. The dating is based on technological grounds, with some of the flint flakes displaying meticulous working, evidence of a careful reduction strategy that is characteristic of a Neolithic to early Bronze Age flint assemblage. Diagnostic material includes a disc scraper from a ditch, characteristic of the Neolithic to early Bronze Age, and the end scraper from the main ring-ditch for which a pre-middle Bronze Age seems likely. The curvilinear was cut into an area where the natural geology turned abruptly from gravels to sand. Where the feature was cut into the sand, the cut was lined with sub rounded flint stone. The size, form, and associated features around and within the curvilinear feature seem to indicate that it may have been an early Bronze Age barrow or related ring ditch monument. Two internal pits were located within the curvilinear feature. The flint assemblage from the pits allowed the dating of these ‘internal’ pits to the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age. To the north of the ring ditch were a series of pits and post holes. While most were undated, one pit that was approximately 8m to the north of the barrow, contained prehistoric pot and Mesolithic/Neolithic and Bronze Age worked flint. This would seem to indicate that the pits and post-holes to the north of the ring ditch were contemporaneous with it. <1>