Medieval settlement at Bonhunt Farm (EHER 188)
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Summary
Excavations by K. Wade and A. Rogerson for the Ministry of Works from 1971 to 1973 revealed occupation evidence from the 11th to 13th century.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TL 5112 3349 (396m by 283m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | WICKEN BONHUNT, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX |
Type and Period
- SETTLEMENT (Early 11th century to Late 13th century - 1001 AD to 1300 AD)
- ENCLOSURE (Early 11th century to Late 13th century - 1001 AD to 1300 AD)
- HALL HOUSE (Early 11th century to Late 12th century - 1001 AD to 1200 AD)
- DRAINAGE DITCH (Early 11th century to Late 13th century - 1001 AD to 1300 AD)
- CHURCHYARD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- INHUMATION (Early 11th century to Late 13th century - 1001 AD to 1300 AD)
Description
1971-1973, 1977. Excavations.
Excavations by K. Wade and A. Rogerson for the Ministry of Works from 1971 to 1973 revealed occupation evidence from the 11th to 13th century. The name Bonhunt appears as Bonhunta in the Domesday Book. In the 11th century the site was divided into 4 long plots with an enclosure to their south. During the late 11th or early 12th century the site was re-organised and consisted of a large aisled hall (the manor house) surrounded by drainage ditches.
Finds include a mercury-headed gilded pin, a gold-headed bronze pin, and a prick spur. The ditches around the hall were filled in during the 13th century. By 1237 Bonhunt had lost its identity and was amalgamated with Wicken for administrative purposes. During the winter of 1977 the M11 motorway was constructed across its eastern margin and skeletons were found to the north-west of the chapel. Prior to Wade's excavation, 13th century pottery had been found by Bari Hooper after the ploughing of a pasture field adjacent to St Helen's Chapel. <1> - <12>
Domesday Manor. <13>
Finds
Sources
- <1> SEX1031 DESC TEXT: Savory, L.S.. unknown. SMR.
- <2> SEX1089 Article in monograph: Wade, K. in Buckley, D.G.. 1980. A settlement site at Bonhunt Farm, Wicken Bonhunt, Essex: Archaeology in Essex to AD 1500. CBA Research Report. no.34, p.96-102.
- <3> SEX52658 RECORD SHEET/FORM: Ordnance Survey. 1950-1990. OS cards. TL53SW04, 1975.
- <4> SEX1091 Article in serial: Wilson, D.. 1968. Medieval Britain in 1967. Medieval Archaeology. 12. p.201.
- <5> SEX1111 Article in serial: Wilson, D.. 1969. Medieval Britain in 1968. Medieval Archaeology. v.13, p.250.
- <6> SEX1112 Article in serial: Musty, J., Wade, K. and Rogerson, A.. 1973. A Viking pin and inlaid knife from Bonhunt Farm, Wicken Bonhunt, Essex. Antiquaries Journal. v.53, p.287.
- <7> SEX1113 DESC TEXT: Beresford, G.. 1971. Deserted Medieval Villages. p.153.
- <8> SEX1129 DESC TEXT: Rahtz, P.A.. 1971. Medieval Village Research Group. v.19, p.27.
- <9> SEX1092 Report: Department of the Environment. 1972. Archaeological Excavations. p.27.
- <11> SEX1115 Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.. unknown. Norfolk Unit.
- <12> SEX1116 Photograph: Couchman, C.. 1977. TL53-035. 10.
- <13> SEX1130 Bibliographic reference: Rumble, A.. 1983. Domesday Book - 32, Essex. 57,6.
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events (3)
- Archaeological Intervention: Excavation by B. Hooper at St Helen's Chapel, Bonhunt Farm, Wicken Bonhunt, 1968 (EEX1087)
- Archaeological Intervention: Excavations by K. Wade and A. Rogerson at St Helen's Chapel, Bonhunt Farm, Wicken Bonhunt, 1971-1973 (EEX1088)
- Archaeological Intervention: Field visit and excavation by B. Hooper at St Helen's Chapel, Bonhunt Farm, Wicken Bonhunt, 1967 (EEX1086)
Other References
- Old SMR Number: TL53-035