Iron Age trapezoidal enclosure identified at land at Elmstead Market, Elmstead (EHER 80569)

A number of remains were identified during the survey including a trapezoidal enclosure, a series of linear and curvilinear anomalies and a pit alignment.

October 2008. Geophysical survey. The survey has identified significant archaeological remains over the entire area surveyed in addition to the cropmark evidence. Few archaeological anomalies correlate with the cropmarks. Some of these may resolve as periglacial features or other non-archaeological remains. Fields 1, 2, and 3 have produced prolific number of remains including a trapezoidal enclosure, a series of linear and curvilinear anomalies and a pit alignment. These may reflect the remains of small farmsteads or settlements dating to the later prehistoric or Roman periods. Without further intrusive investigation it is not possible to be certain of their date and nature of the surviving remains. Based on the results, the archaeological potential of the site has been mapped according to the magnetic responses recorded by both techniques from low to high potential. It is concluded that the geophysical survey has detected a considerable amount of archaeological remains and it is recommended that further archaeological geophysics should be undertaken in order to clarify the archaeological anomalies and place then into a meaningful context. <1>