Medieval pits and ditches, 148 Station Road (EHER 49988)

A concentration of eight features was identified in the Eastern half of Trench 1 which comprised of four ditches and four pits. The four linear features are indicative of boundary ditches but are not evident on 19th century mapping so are most probably of medieval origin. The pits produced 11th-14th century pottery which strengthens this interpretation.

February 2023. Trial trenching. A concentration of eight features was identified in the Eastern half of Trench 1 which comprised of four ditches and four pits. The four linear features identified in Trench 1 are indicative of boundary ditches, although more precise interpretation of their function is difficult to determine. They may represent a trackway flanked by ditches, or perhaps a migrating field or plot boundary. Based on historic mapping analysis, these linear features likely predate the 19th century as no indication of their presence is depicted on historic maps. The identification of pits may indicate the presence of settlement nearby, however they have no discernible function. Four fragments of pottery recovered from two of the features date from between the 11th and 14th centuries, but given the small size of the assemblage recovered, it is difficult to hypothesize about the exact nature and function of the site. The pottery assemblage therefore suggests the pits are medieval. <1>