Monument record BSE 131 - Prehistoric and medieval occupation site

January 1996: Evaluation of area of proposed development revealed two flint walls, believed to be part of the medieval monastic grange, belonging to the Abbot of St Edmunds which once stood here. Evidence of Iron Age activity was also recorded in the form of a pit containing a large amount of Late Iron Age pottery along with some animal bone and fired clay (S1). Possible site of stone cross? Not precisely located during excavation works.

1996: A second phase of evaluation established the eastern extent of the large E-W wall and another N-S section was identified. This second length of wall was contemporary with the first and ran at right angles to it. A large ditch running E-W pre-dated the walls. Several length of the ditch were excavated and it was found to contain the remains of a horse , two dogs and a chicken. No pottery was found to date the feature however. A clay structure, possibly a corn drier, containg later medieval greyware was also recorded (S2).

1997: Monitoring did not reveal any further features (S3).

2002: Monitoring of footing trenches revealed a ditch which is probably a continuation of the large N-S ditch recorded during the 1996 evalaution. The ditch's continuation through Eldo Farm cottage is beyond what is thought to be the northern edge of the grange complex, suggesting that the ditch may have been part of extensive and earlier system of boundary into which the grange was built. A large extensive pit was recorded, however its origins are uncertain (S4).

2003: The results of the excavation suggest that there has been an unbroken period of occupation on the site since the 12th century and that a succession of large dwellings have stood on the site of the Eldo House farmhouse since the late 13th/early 14th century. There are archaeological indications that the site was a local agricultural centre and the magnitudfe and quality of some of the building work demonstrated the high level of craftsmanship worthy of church masons (S5).