Late Iron Age to Roman activity at Crown Quarry, Old Ipswich Road (EHER 80407)

A total of 60 features were identified in this excavation. The main phase of activity was a Roman rectilinear field system with a well and a possible trackway. The finds evidence suggests the site was used continuously from the Late Iron Age until the late 2nd/early 3rd century.

Excavation 2022 The excavation at Crown Quarry is located in an area of known archaeology. Earlier work surrounding the site (known as Wick Farm) identified five individual archaeological sites (sites AE, FAU Report 1399) dating from the Early Iron Age through to the Late Iron Age/early Roman period. The sites indicate an expanding and migrating settlement which starts in the north-east and migrates round to the north-west. The latest of these sites is site E, where the excavation detailed in this report was located. A total of 60 features were identified in this excavation, only six of which could not be dated. The main phase of activity was a Roman rectilinear field system with a well and a possible trackway. The finds evidence suggests the site was used continuously from the Late Iron Age until the late 2nd/early 3rd century. Some of the more dateable pottery sherds recovered have allowed closer dating of some features and in turn given an indication into the evolution of the field system. Three ditches in the north-west corner of the site are the remains of the earliest phase ditches were all Late Iron Age to early Roman in date. The dating evidence suggests that early Roman ditches were in use as probable boundary ditches at the same time as the trackway (F8 and F59). The next phase of activity incorporates ditch F11, metalled-surface F73 and well F7, and the final phase ditches F4 and F55. While no evidence of any structures were found within the limits of the excavations, fragments of architectural stone and CBM were recovered. These types of stone indicate a high-status building is located near to the site. <1>