Middle Anglo-Saxon to post-medieval features at Lawford South, Phases 2-5, Land South of Long Road (EHER 49702)

Two phases of trial trenching in 2020 identified 12 to 14th century activity and significant quantities of debris indicative of iron smithing. Evidence of activity either side of the medieval period was also recorded, in the form of a single Middle Anglo Saxon ditch, and post-medieval agricultural activity thought to be in association with Mistley Hall. Archaeological excavation in 2021 recorded further evidence for metalworking residues, and a series of pits and post holes which may have been a post-built structure such as a workshop.

August 2020. Trial trenching. Medieval period remains of pits and a ditch are largely confined to the NE of the evaluated area and contain significant quantities of debris indicative of iron smithing having taken place in the near vicinity. Post-medieval remains consist of field ditches and a ditched gravel trackway, the latter shown on the 1778 Mistley Hall estate map. <1> This could be EHER 7482. August 2020. Trial trenching. A single ditch consistent with an early to mid Anglo Saxon date was revealed. It contained 125 sherds of pottery and may relate to an enclosure identified during the preceding aerial photography survey. More intense activity occurred on the site during the medieval period (12th to 14th century), though this activity was still relatively limited. Three ditches, which strongly correlate to the cropmarks of a field-system in the SE corner of the site, and a single pit of this date were revealed. Activity on the site increased during the post-medieval period and was primarily focused in the Northern section of the site, likely representing peripheral agricultural activity related to Mistley Hall (EHER 34632) . The ditches strongly correlated with a rectangular enclosure and ditch identified during the preceding aerial photographic survey. In addition to these remains was a sizable 18th century road that appears to have served the post-medieval Mistley Hall (EHER 7482). <2> February 2021. Archaeological excavation. Medieval remains, comprising a cluster of pits and post holes/beam slots forming a possible structure (e.g. a workshop, shed etc.), were concentrated in Area 3. Metalworking residues (hammerscale) and pottery was recovered from these features, indicate an industrial use of this area between the late 12th and 14th centuries. The corner of an adjacent enclosure may be associated with this activity, but there was no dating evidence in this feature, so any association remains speculative. The area was thoroughly scanned with a metal detector (Area 6) before and after Area 3 was stripped, but no significant metal finds were found. Archaeological remains in Area 2 consisted of a former pond and a former post-medieval field boundary ditch. <3>