Middle to Late Bronze Age activity and Roman features at the former Martello Caravan Park, Kirby Road (EHER 49201)

Archaeological evaluation and excavation revealed three ditches, three pits, a ditch/pit and a cremation burial, mostly dating to the Mid to Late Bronze Age, with perhaps some activity in the Early Iron Age. An erosion hollow, drainage ditches and a small pit are also indicative of a small phase of Roman occupation.

August 2017. Desk-based assessment. A desk-based assessment of the potential presence and survival of archaeological remains concluded that it is likely that at least the Southern edge of the site would contain archaeological remains, and that the majority of the features may be modern or undated. A visual inspection led to the conclusion that ground level has been reduced (significantly in some areas), and as a consequence, archaeological deposits may already have been removed from NE part of the site. <1> September 2017. Trial trenching. January 2018. Excavation. The following section comprises the combined results of both phases of archaeological investigation. Investigations on the current development site revealed prehistoric activity dating from the Neolithic, Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age and Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age. This consisted of three ditches, three pits, a ditch/pit and a cremation burial. The cremation burial contained the remains of an adult, over 25 years old, and radiocarbon dating on a sample of cremated bone produced a 2-sigma calibrated date (at 95.4% confidence) of 1190 to 996 BC for this burial. It is unlikely that any of the features date to the Neolithic period, with most of the Neolithic pottery sherds recovered as residual finds. Evidence would suggest most of the prehistoric activity recorded on the site dates from the Mid to Late Bronze Age, with perhaps some activity in the Early Iron Age. An erosion hollow, probably used as a watering-hole or as a stock-holding pen, and two associated drainage ditches are probably of a Roman date. A small pit was also either of a Roman or later date. Nine undated features (five postholes, three pits and a pit/tree-throw) were also excavated along with two natural features. <2>