Medieval to early post-medieval agricultural land use at Bulls Lodge Quarry (EHER 80887)

Ditch and pit remains in Areas 7 and 8 define two episodes of medieval land use, followed by an early post-medieval episode. These demonstrate the changing agricultural field systems through the mid 12-13th, mid 13th-14th and 16-17th centuries. The incidence of pits containing domestic pottery and animal bone within these fields suggests the presence of a rural occupation site in the vicinity.

August 2018. Watching brief. Ditch and pit remains in Areas 7 and 8 define two episodes of medieval land use, followed by an early post-medieval episode. These demonstrate the changing agricultural field systems through the mid 12-13th, mid 13th-14th and 16-17th centuries. The incidence of pits containing domestic pottery and animal bone within these fields suggests the presence of a rural occupation site in the vicinity. Medieval phase 1. Two linear boundary ditches, aligned NE-SW and NW-SE, were the only recorded remains from this phase. They probably joined beyond the limit of the excavated area to form the right-angled corner of what may have once been a rectilinear enclosure. They produced pottery of the 11th to early 14th centuries and residual late 15th-16th century pottery. Medieval phase 2. A cluster of small, roughly oval-shaped pits were recorded alongside the terminus of a ditch on an ENE-WSW alignment. The relationship of the two pits with the ditch was obscured by truncation from a modern land drain. A fairly large sub-circular pit was also located alongside the terminus and contained 13 fills suggesting the feature may have been maintained for a period of time. Early post-medieval. A third phase of ditches is considered to represent the early post-medieval agricultural use of the landscape here. A large ditch extending down much of the West side of Area 7/8 area and Southwards into the Northeastern-most strip of Area 9 is probably the remains of a linear field system. Extending on a NNW/SSE alignment for c.212m, at its South end it turned SW and was traced for a further roughly 30m. A second substantial ditch extended across the NW of Area 7/8 for about 77m, on a NE/SW alignment, continuing beyond the Eastern extent of the area. No Westward continuation was recorded in the Phase 6 area and it probably continued its course up to the previously mentioned ditch, to form an integral T-junction with it. However, this intersection was located under one of the bunds and so was not resolved. A large pit, a ditch and a feature originally interpreted as a pit but reconsidered to be the terminus of a ditch were also assigned to this phase. <1>