Prehistoric activity at land east of Bury Lane, Hatfield Peverel (EHER 80347)

The archaeological interventions revealed several phases of prehistoric activity, including Iron Age field systems. Two middle-late Iron Age cremations were found within close proximity of each other.

February and August to September 2019. Trial trenching and excavation. The Neolithic was the earliest period represented on site. The trial trenching phase discovered a large pit and ditch, both dated to the Neolithic period. Several lithics were recovered from the features, including debitage, indicating the possibility of tool-making on site. The excavation phase did not reveal further Neolithic activity. The trenching uncovered a Bronze Age ditch, from which more lithics were recovered. Bronze Age pottery was also discovered in the ditch. The excavation phase revealed further evidence of Bronze Age activity on the site. A pit, datable to the early Bronze Age, was discovered during the second phase of investigation. More pottery was discovered in the pit, from two different vessels. Fragments of fired clay and charcoal were also found in the pit, indicative of hearth. Iron Age activity on the site was split into two distinct phases: middle Iron Age and middle to late Iron Age. The Iron Age activity was discovered during the excavation phase and was concentrated in the mitigation area. Five ditches were attributed to the middle Iron Age period of occupation. The number and layout of the ditches demonstrate a possible field system. Middle Iron Age pottery was found in the ditches, as well as residual lithics and pottery. The middle to late Iron Age saw the redevelopment of the field system. Four ditches and six pits were attributed to the final phase of the prehistoric period represented on site. The ditches appear to shift the arrangement of the field system visible during the middle Iron Age. More pottery was recovered from these features. The most interesting features discovered on site were two middle to late Iron Age cremations. The first cremation was discovered in a pit within a contemporary ditch. It was identified by the quantity of human bone and charcoal within the pit. The cremation is unurned, but is mixed with sherds of pottery. Just over a metre away from the first cremation, a second cremation was found within a pit. This cremation was not mixed with pottery sherds. <1> <2>