Medieval to post medieval features, Land at Heath and Sunnymead Farms/ South of Englishes Farm (EHER 81849)

The area was surveyed via geophysical survey in 2015 and trial trenched in 2016, named as Land at Heath and Sunnymead Farms. A total of 40 trenches were excavated across the 65ha site extent, of which twelve were identified to contain archaeological remains. The features included an early Neolithic or Late Broze Age pit, late Iran Age/ Early Roman ditches, a medieval pit and a post medieval enclosure system.

Cropmarks of linear features which appear to be extensive field boundaries were marked on the NMR. <1> <2> <3> August 2015. Geophysical survey. The survey has responded unusually well to an extensive sequence of linear disturbances which may represent a combination of palaeochannels and periglacial ice polygons. Findings which show any of the characteristics to be expected from archaeological features are sparsely dispersed. They include features in field 4 which could also plausibly represent a combination of land drains and naturally silted hollows. The irregular linear features (N) in field 8 are located near to Heath Farm, and could well be of recent origin. Other strong disturbances near to the farm could perhaps indicating brick-making debris (as suggested by the field name), although this cannot be directly confirmed. Linear disturbances corresponding to some of the former field boundaries have been detected at various locations. The survey has not therefore produced any findings of unambiguous archaeological relevance, although a slight possibility remains that archaeological features may be present (particularly in fields 4 and 8). <4> September 2016. Trial trenching. Area named as 'land at Heath and Sunnymead Farms. A total of 40 trenches were excavated across the 65ha site extent, of which 12 were identified to contain archaeological remains. Most of them were discovered in the site's NW quadrant, close to the Sixpenny Brook. The features included an early Neolithic or Late Broze Age pit, late Iron Age/ Early Roman ditches, a medieval pit and a post medieval enclosure system. Very little medieval or post-medieval pottery was found at this site; a total of four sherds weighing 214g, excavated from three contexts. <5> <6>