Post-medieval enclosure and field boundaries at land at Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul (EHER 80314)

Geophysical survey identified undated linear anomalies, ten former field boundaries that are recorded on historic mapping and a further ten possible boundaries. Trial trenching confirmed that several of the linear anomalies form a post-medieval square or rectangular enclosure.

March 2023. Geophysical survey. Against a largely homogenous magnetic background the survey has recorded a range of anomalies. By far the most common are consistent with modern and agricultural activity. Anomalies locating ten former field boundaries that are recorded on historic mapping have been identified. A further ten possible boundaries that are not shown on any mapping and therefore possibly predate the 19th century boundaries are also recorded. Anomalies of possible or probable archaeological potential were also recorded at five separate locations. In the Southern half of the survey area three small areas of possible activity are identified. Whilst the morphology and extent of the activity is not clearly defined the anomalies comprising these small clusters of potential archaeological activity do stand out against the very low, homogenous magnetic background. The alignment of some of the anomalies in these three small areas does appear to respect or are at right angles to current or mapped post-medieval boundaries perhaps indicating a relatively recent origin. <1> August 2022. Trial trenching. Significant archaeological remains were found in those archaeological priority areas identified on the geophysical survey. A post-medieval square or perhaps rectangular enclosure was recorded in Trenches 25 and 26, on the Western margin of the site (Area 3), adjacent to Long Lane, an old route linking Clare Castle to Castle Hedingham. The enclosure ditches were excavated and found to contain brick rubble, tile fragments, pottery sherds and fragments of glass, all of late 17th to early 19th century date. <2>