Medieval agricultural settlement at land south of Quicksie Hill, Wendens Road, Arkesden (EHER 49445)

The main phase of activity at the Quicksie Hill site dates to the early medieval period (10th to 12th century).

2021. Excavation. Medieval occupation in the later 10th century at Quicksie Hill commenced with an open-plan square enclosure 41m across, oriented northwest to southeast, in the west corner of which was located a rectangular post-built structure (Building 1) aligned with its long axis oriented southwest to north-east. The building was probably a domestic farm dwelling, with a main entrance towards the southwest end of its southern long side, with a possible annex/lean-to against its northern long side; an eavesdrip gully defined the northeast half of the northern long side. Behind the building, a small gully defined the northwest side of the enclosure. Close to the southern corner of the enclosure was a smaller rectangular structure, possibly an outbuilding for processing agricultural produce. A cluster of postholes close to a gap in the southwest side of the enclosure possibly represents a gateway structure. Other than the two buildings and possible gateway, the main enclosure appears to have been devoid of structural features and was open plan without sub-divisions or waste pits apparent. Appended to the ‘outside’ south-west edge of the enclosure were a series of short ditches which appear to form enclosed paddocks and/or holding pens, entrance to which was gained from the southeast next to the southern corner of the main domestic enclosure. The complex of structures and enclosures appears to represent a single farm with associated paddocks. The initial phase of medieval occupation is interpreted to date from the mid to late 10th century. The early 11th century witnessed the continued occupation of the site with a degree of re-organisation and sub-division of the enclosures which structured movement into and around the site. A new rectangular structure (Building 2) was constructed to the northeast of the first dwelling; Building 1 likely still occupied while the new one was built. Along the entire northern side of the building ran an eavesdrip gully which was recut at least once; a shorter eavesdrip gully ran south of the southeast extension. An entrance to the building was located towards the west end of the south wall; a similar position to that in Phase 3.1 Building 1. The mid to late 11th century saw a major re-organisation of the Quicksie Hill site, with the dismantling of Building 2 and the post-trench structure, and the creation of large sub-rectangular field enclosure bounded by ditches cut significantly larger than had hitherto been present. In this regard, the majority of finds from the ditches represent residual material, particularly from the previous phase of occupation of Building 2. The final phase of medieval activity in the early to mid 12th century at Quicksie Hill evidences the re-appearance of occupation close to the site by the deposition of waste into a series of a large pits distributed along the western third of the site. No structural features are assigned to this phase, and the domestic waste probably derived from occupation located just to the west and/or south-west of the excavated area bordering Wenden Road to the west of the site. The appearance of large pits dedicated to the disposal of domestic waste marks a profound shift in the habits of every day medieval life and the perception/attitudes to waste at this time. Taken as a whole, despite the ordinary tableware used, the material of the final phase waste pits appears to represent the domestic refuse of a prolonged period of relatively high-status consumption punctuated by specific feasting events. Based on the ceramic assemblage, disposal of waste ceased by the late 12th century, after which the site appears to have been given over to agricultural/pastoral use. <1> See also: <2>