Scheduled Ancient Monument: INTERRUPTED DITCH SYSTEM AT POTASH FARM (SF183)

1976: Aerial photographs taken during 1969 and 1972 reveal cropmarks of a large interrupted ditch system, composed of 2 concentric circuits. The site was under cultivation at the time of the visit and nothing was visible on the ground. ?Third circuit discontinuously visible between 2 or more distinct ones. 1981: Nothing visible. A fair scatter of good flintwork recovered, especially in area of outer circuit by Sylvia Laverton of Freston in winter 1979-1980. Thought to be in Bury or Ipswich Museum and have been seen by Stanley West. Air photographs show sub-circular double discontinuous ditches enclosing an area approximately 310m x 290m, with other linear and rectilinear cropmarks in interior. Mr Suckling says that his holding (area 2) was subsoiled several times prior to scheduling. 1985: Area 1 was under winter wheat; area 2 had been ploughed and weathered and area 3 was in stubble to the N and under winter barley to the S. All were covered with a sparse scatter of `pot boilers' and struck flint, the latter consisting mainly of blades and flakes, with a few cores and scrapers. The highest density (approximately 1 piece per 10m square or rather less) was over area 2, presumably because it was not yet planted. A fragmentary barbed and tanged arrowhead (with both barbs snapped off) from approximately TM 1682 3777, in the extreme S of area 2, may well have come from over the ditches. It was given to Mr Mann; the rest of the struck flint was not collected.