Site Event/Activity record ESF21814 - Evaluation - Land south-east of Williamsport Way, Needham Market

An area of 2.42 hectares was evaluated by trial trenching to provide a 5% sample of the site. Despite the area being within a presumed area of raised gravel terrace above the River Gipping, only at the extreme northern and western edges of the site was undisturbed natural sand and gravel encountered. Over the rest of the site alluvial floodplain deposits of clay and silty clay were found sealing organic peats and waterlogged deposits of up to 1m depth. These deposits are as yet undated. A large artificial post-medieval channel of up to 15m width was encountered curving into the southern edge of the site. As this feature aligns with a culvert running under the railway embankment adjacent to the site, it is presumed that this ditch is contemporary with the railway which opened in 1846. An iron horseshoe of probable late medieval or post-medieval date was recovered from an alluvial clay layer sealing the peat deposits. No other features or finds of archaeological interest were identified from this site.