Site Event/Activity record ESF23001 - New Camp Site, Alton Water, Suffolk

PROJECT DETAILS Detailed fluxgate gradiometer survey was undertaken by Britannia Archaeology Ltd over one field (c.3Ha) in March and April 2014. A fairly narrow range of anomalies were recorded within the dataset, some of which have an archaeological potential. Isolated dipolar ('iron spike') responses were most numerous were probably caused by the introduction of modern ferrous cultural debris into the topsoil during manuring and through loss, rather than resulting from the presence of buried archaeological artefacts. Six areas of magnetic disturbance were recorded, those on the boundary are likely to have been caused by the metal fence that encloses the field, while those to the east record the presence of electricity poles that bisect the field on a north-west to south-east alignment. Seventeen weak positive discrete and linear anomalies were recorded that are perhaps indicative of natural changes within the superficial geology, however an archaeological origin cannot be dismissed. Six broad weak dipolar anomalies, at least three of which are of a linear nature, were also recorded . These anomalies have been interpreted as remnant riverine deposits (palaeo-channels) that have gradually been backfilled by plough-action or silted up over time. These readings may also indicate the presence of deposits with a humic (potentially peat) content. Seven positive discrete anomalies indicative of archaeological rubbish pits were also recorded, however a geological origin cannot be ruled out. Project status: Complete Yes, Validated Yes Previous/Future Work: Previous Yes, Future Yes Associated Identifiers: Contracting Unit No. P1055 Sitecode STU 084 Project Type: Field evaluation Development Type: Camp Site Methods and Techniques: ''Geophysical Survey'' Position in the Planning Process: Pre-application Reason for Investigation: Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPS Site status: None Current Land use: Grassland Heathland 4 - Regularly improved Monument Type(s)/Period(s): NONE None Artefact Type(s)/Period(s): NONE None PROJECT LOCATION Area 3.00 Hectares Grid Reference: TM154353 Point Height 28.00 - 29.00 metres PROJECT CREATOR(S) Organisation: Britannia Archaeology Ltd Brief originator: Local Planning Authority (with/without advice from County/District Archaeologist) Design originator: Timothy Schofield Director/Manager: Timothy Schofield Supervisor: Timothy Schofield DIGITAL ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk HER Contents: 'Survey' Media: 'Geophysics', 'Survey', 'Text' PAPER ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk HER Contents: 'Survey' Media: 'Report', 'Survey ', 'Unpublished Text' BIBLIOGRAPHY Publication Type: Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Title: Proposed Camp Site, Alton Water, Suffolk; Detailed Magnetometer Survey Author(s)/Editor(s): Schofield, T. P. Other Bibliographic Details: R1052 Date: 2014 Issuer/Publisher: Britannia Archaeology Ltd Place of Issue or Publication: Stowmarket Description: A4 Bound Report with A3 Fold-out Figures. URL: www.britannia-archaeology.com