Undated earthwork bank at Hazeleigh Hall Wood (EHER 83345)

A site visit and archaeological excavation in 2024 identified an earthwork bank in Hazeleigh Hall Wood, but was unable to determine a date for the feature. It is thought to be man-made and may have been a boundary enclosure associated with the manor house (EHER 7849) or a parish boundary.

October 2024. Field visit. The bank appears to run south to north from the south-west corner area of the wood to the north-west corner area of the wood, terminating close to the stream, for approximately 142.54 metres. It is cut across by an east/west running footpath. The data suggests that at a point some 12 metres north of that footpath the bank may also turn eastwards for approximately 44 metres. <1> November-December 2024. Archaeological excavation. A 7.5 metre long by 1m wide trench was inserted across the bank and a sondage was inserted within the main trench measuring approx. 5.5m long by 0.5m wide. The first 75mm consisted of largely of a covering of leaf mould with clay underlying. The next 200mm consisted of broken mid to dark brown clay. This broken appearance may be due to either natural weathering, tree/undergrowth root action, or the material being thrown up by hand tools to form the bank. The underlying clay was of a light brown colour and of a more homogenous nature and was the undisturbed natural ground level. There was no evidence of a ditch having been present on either side of the bank. The excavation concluded the feature was likely to be a man-made earthwork bank of unknown date, probably made using hand tools, and with no associated ditches. The purpose of the bank is uncertain and may be either a boundary enclosure associated with the manor house (EHER 7849), a parish boundary, or similar. <1>