Remains of Late Iron Age to Roman occupation, Area B, land south of A414 (EHER 81888)

A geophysical survey in 1997 detected the sub surface remains of a possible trackway, pits and ditches which probably represent a continuation of the Late Iron Age to Roman settlement to the north (EHER 17445 and EHER 81914-81916). Several of the ditch anomalies within Area B are characteristic of more complex archaeological features including an ovoid enclosure, two roughly rectangular enclosures and a possible building.

November-December 1997. Geophysical survey. Anomalies characteristic of archaeological features were detected in Area B. However, identification and interpretation of these features is problematic due to the density of pit features and possible near surface disturbance. A number of ditch anomalies can be discerned, some of which, particularly those evident as parallel pairs, may represent trackways although there was only limited evidence for an associated hardened surface. The orientation of the majority of these ditches conform to the alignments identified in Area A (EHER 81887). A similar conclusion can therefore be drawn that these features form a continuation of the excavated settlement areas to the north (EHER 17445 and EHER 81914-81916). The exception to this alignment a large linear anomaly in the centre of the surveyed area. Here a well defined strip of positive data, indicative of a ditch approximately 1 .5-2m wide, borders a possible trackway or bank remnant which abuts its eastern edge. This feature appears to overlay or cut anomalies interpreted as forming part of the settlement which would suggest a later date for its origin. The concentration of pits identified within the area resembles spreads of similar features located during the geophysical survey of 1993 (EHER 81889). During excavation, these were found to contain domestic material primarily of Late Iron Age/Roman date. It is possible that the pits located within Aea B represent similar settlement activity. The pit concentration discussed above, together with the detection of anomalies in general, tends to diminish towards the west of Area B. This may indicate a limit of settlement however, it is probable that this low lying land has suffered from frequent inundation with the resulting sedimentary deposits masking underlying archaeological features. Several of the ditch anomalies within Area B are characteristic of more complex archaeological features. One anomaly delineates an ovoid enclosure approximately 20m across at its widest point. It comprises a ditch approximately 0.5m-1m wide, and a possible entrance way to its north-west. To the south-east of this, are the anomalies of two roughly rectangular enclosures around 8m wide. These may represent building activity. An anomaly to the south-west may also indicate the presence of structural remains in the form of two narrow (approximately 0.5m) concentric circular ditches, the diameter of the outer being around 18m-20m. This anomaly is similar in plan to the temple found during the earlier excavations to the north, however the outer ditch of that structure was approximately 32m in diameter (see EHER 81914). <1> Note: Parts of this site have been excavated during watching briefs and the results are recorded in EHER 47095 and EHER 47133. The material described in this record may be associated with the settlement at Elms Farm, see EHER 81914 and EHER 17445.