11th-13th century ditches and levelling deposits, land rear of Church House, 63 High Street (EHER 49876)

Evaluation and excavation in 2022 recorded 11th-13th century ditches and levelling deposits.

January 2022. Trial trenching. A ditch was found to the eastern side of the evaluation area and several small pits were found towards the centre. The ditch may have had a timber lining to the eastern edge as there appeared to be the remains of a straight dark organic line running north-east to south-west. <1> January 2022. Archaeological excavation. An east-west aligned ditch was recorded running through the site, broadly parallel with the adjacent church dedicated to St. Peter and following the contour of the high ground before dropping dramatically to the north. It is the earliest feature recorded on the site and contained material dating from the 11th century. The ditch was sealed by redeposited clay and gravel deposits which were interpreted as a phase of dumping or levelling. This activity must have occurred between the 12th and 13th centuries. Of note was a cut feature of a contemporary date which the excavators interpreted as a possible sunken featured building (SFB), but as no evidence for domestic activity was recorded, the feature may have been for storage. <2>