Prehistoric activity at Nethermayne (EHER 80031)

Two scrapers from the early Mesolithic to early Neolithic represent the earliest activity on the site. Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age activity is evidenced by a scatter of pits, four postholes and several short lengths of ditches across all areas. A medium quantity of pottery dating from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age was recovered from features across the site.

November 2019 to January 2020. Excavation phase 3B. Evidence of prehistoric activity at Nethermayne was limited to a few pits containing sparse finds assemblages. A small quantity of worked flints and pottery, were discovered in later features. Collectively, these suggest transitory presence in the landscape, rather than any permanent habitation in the Mesolithic and Neolithic. <1> September 2020. Archaeological excavation of phases 2A, 2B and 3C. The earliest tangible land use is evidenced by a scatter of pits, four postholes and several short lengths of ditches across all three areas, dating to the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. Four postholes in Phase 2B may be interpreted as a possible post-built feature. The lack of clear spatial organisation of the ditches and the irregularity of most of the pits makes it difficult to determine a distinct pattern of activity, but the presence of linear features may suggest a primary instance of land division on site. A small assemblage of worked flints predating the Middle Bronze Age were found in redeposited contexts and indicate the earliest activity at the site. A moderate-sized assemblage of pottery dating from the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age was recovered from features across the site. Less than half was found in situ in Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age deposits. <2>