Middle Iron Age roundhouse, pits and postholes, Langford Road (EHER 81882)

Trial trenching in 1993 recorded a series of features which were interpreted as being part of a probable Middle Iron Age structure which lay outside the evaluation trench. An excavation in 1994 further investigated the structure and confirmed it to be a Middle Iron Age roundhouse, defined by a pair of gullies and with a diameter of 14m. There was no evidence to suggest how the structure was used, but given its size it was interpreted to be for human occupation. The excavation also recorded a series of linear ditches which indicate that a degree of land organisation, consistent with the period, had taken place.

1993. Trial trenching. The evaluation recorded prehistoric activity in three of the eleven trenches with some residual material in another. Most of the prehistoric pottery could not be firmly dated, only identified as pre-Iron Age (see EHER 14651 and EHER 81881). Features in Trench G may be part of a Middle Iron Age structure, most of which probably lies outside the trench to the south-west. <1> <2> 1994. Archaeological excavation. Following the evaluation a full excavation was carried out in 1994. In the Middle Iron Age pits, post holes and ditches were cut, together with one possible round-house, and these were sited largely on the higher ground. Of note is a pit which contained two complete triangular fired clay loomweights which had been reused as packing. Building 3, a roundhouse at the south end of the site, probably dates to the Middle Iron Age. Half of Building 3 lay outside the area of excavation. On its south side a pair of gullies defined the outer edge of this structure, giving an outer diameter of 14m. Where the gullies terminated on the west side they cut a slot that may be unrelated to the roundhouse; it yielded one sherd of undiagnostic prehistoric pottery from its fill. Three post holes 0.2m in diameter were found on the inner edge of the gully. The frequency and lack of uniformity of the post holes within the roundhouse suggest that the structure underwent repairs during its lifespan. No indication as to the use of the building was found, but given its size it is not unreasonable to assume that it was for human occupation. No structural evidence for an outer wall was found, and it has been suggested that such buildings consisted of clay and turf walls retained internally by a stake and wattle structure. The presence of linear ditches dating to this period indicates that a degree of land organisation had taken place. The pits and post holes proven to be of Middle Iron Age date suggest settlement activity in the vicinity, and Building 3 fits best into this period. <3> <4> Area = 1.17 Note: The material described in this record may be associated with the settlement at Elms Farm, see EHER 81913.