Bronze Age to post-medieval activity at Parkgate Farm (EHER 80129)

Three areas of probable settlement activity, likely to be multi-phase, comprising of ditch-like features that share a consistent alignment but overlap and intersect. In all three areas, ditches form rectangular and subrectangular enclosures, and delineate spatial boundaries which may form wider field systems. Whilst the activity in all areas is characteristic of late prehistoric settlement, alignment of some features to mapped field boundaries could suggest activity into the later medieval or post-medieval period. A specific date is difficult to ascertain based on geophysical results alone.

August 2021. Geophysical survey. Survey revealed three areas of probable settlement activity, the largest of which is in the SW of the site and comprises numerous ditch-like features that share a consistent alignment but overlap and intersect, potentially caused by several phases of activity. The ditches form a rectangular enclosure with a wider boundary surrounding it, alongside overlapping field boundaries. Smaller areas of settlement are noted in the NE and SE of the site. Both of these have potential to extend beyond the bounds of the survey area but are also predominantly characterised by ditch-like features. Features in the Northern area do share some alignment to 19th century field boundaries, whilst a focus of rectilinear and curvilinear anomalies are indicative of a ditched enclosure. Several radiating linear and rectilinear anomalies may represent internal divisions. A small area of probable undated settlement is the third focus of activity in the SE of the surveyed area. The potential archaeology is comprised of a positive rectilinear anomaly indicative of a ditched enclosure and covering an area of 56 m N-S by 35 m E-W, although it likely continues East and South beyond the survey area. Several discrete anomalies that may indicate internal settlement activity have also been identified, some of which may relate to in-situ burning or industrial activity. No date is suggested for the activity, and a specific date is difficult to ascertain based on geophysical results alone. Evidence of the post-medieval agricultural landscape has been confirmed in the form of several former field boundaries across the site which correspond to boundaries recorded on 1895 OS mapping. <1>