Monument record BRK 104 - Gallows Hill, undated (Un)

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Summary

Finds & features identified in desktop, aerial, fieldwalking, metal detecting and geophysical surveys.

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 6106 2536 (606m by 919m)
Map sheet TM62NW
Civil Parish BARKING, MID SUFFOLK, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (6)

Full Description

1990: DBA, fieldwalking, metal detecting and geophysical surveys - see (S5).
1990-2002: Finds & features identified in desktop, aerial, fieldwalking, metal detecting and geophysical surveys of 27.6ha area (S1-S3). Includes site BRK 004 (part), 005 * 016.
2002: Trenched evaluation by SCCAS - see Preh, Rom, Sax & PMed.
2013: Excavation revealed Prehistoric to Post medieval features. However, the majority of features on this site contained no dating evidence, this includes two post hole structures and the metal working hearth. Whilst many were likely contemporary with the Sunken Fature Buildings, they are presently categorised as undated (S6).

2018:Archaeological investigations have been carried out on the site since 1990 when an initial phase of aerial photo assessment fieldwalking, metal-detecting and geophysical survey was undertaken. More recently the aerial photographic survey was updated and a full trial trench evaluation has been conducted . Excavation has revealed multi-period occupation of this small part of the Gipping valley. The data recovered during excavation provides the basis for a detailed study of the way that this riverine landscape was utilised over a prolonged period. The earliest evidence for human occupation of the area consisted of possible Mesolithic struck flint mainly present as residual or unstratified material. More significant evidence of human utilisation of this landscape occurred in the early Neolithic, in the form of a small group of cut features. A small number of late Neolithic and early Bronze Age features attest to continued occupation of this landscape, albeit on a possibly seasonal or episodic basis. Only a single feature of Iron Age date was identified during excavation. Evidence for Roman activity was limited to features which indicated that the site formed part of the undeveloped, possibly agricultural, hinterland of the Roman settlement of Combretovium. Evidence from Excavation Phases 1 and 2 appeared to consist of activity at the periphery of the Roman settlement. Extensive dispersed Anglo-Saxon activity was recorded with eight SFBs, complemented by a further 4 recorded during the previous excavation phases, several associated features and an unusual figure-of-eight ditch arrangement. Several undated posthole structures may be associated with this activity. Subsequently, there appeared to be a decline in activity at this location in the Saxo-Norman and medieval periods (S7).

2021-Excavation between 2011 and 2020 revealed multi-period occupation, related to prolonged utilisation of the riverine landscape of the site. Prehistoric remains included Mesolithic struck flint, which was mainly present as residual or unstratified material, a small group of Early Neolithic cut features, a small number of Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age features which may attest to seasonal or episodic occupation, and a single Iron Age feature. The site appears to have formed part of the undeveloped, possibly agricultural, hinterland of the Roman settlement of Combretovium. Extensive dispersed Anglo-Saxon activity was recorded with eight sunken featured buildings, complemented by a further four recorded during the previous excavation phases, several associated features and an unusual figure-of-eight ditch arrangement (Fig. 8). Several undated posthole structures may be associated with this activity. Subsequently, there appeared to be a decline in activity at this location in the Saxo-Norman and medieval periods (S8).

Sources/Archives (11)

  • <S1> Unpublished document: Suffolk County Council Archaeologcial Service. Various. Hedges J W, Symonds J & Wait G A (Tempvs Reparatum) Consultancy Report, Aug 1990, ill.
  • <S2> Unpublished document: Suffolk County Council Archaeologcial Service. Various. Palmer R (Air Photo Services), AP Assessment 2002/3, March 22002, ill.
  • <S3> Unpublished document: Suffolk County Council Archaeologcial Service. Various. Richmond A (Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd), Scheme of Investigation for trench evaluation, 200.
  • <S4> Unpublished document: Boulter, S.. 2002. A Record of an Archaeological Evaluation of Land at Gallows Hill, Barking, Suffolk.
  • <S5> Unpublished document: Symonds, J.. 1990. An Archaeological Assessment of land at Gallows Hill South, Gipping Valley, Barking.
  • <S5> Unpublished document: Symonds, J.. 1989. Archaeological Consultancy Report- Part of Gripping Valley, Barking, Mid-Suffolk.
  • <S5> Unpublished document: Roseff, R.. 1992. Landscape History of Gallows Hill, Gipping Valley, Suffolk.
  • <S5> Unpublished document: Hedghes, J. W.. 1992. Proof of Evidence regarding the Archaeological Resource of Gallows Hill South, Gipping Valley, Suffolk.
  • <S6> Unpublished document: Adams, M. and Barlow, G.. 2013. An Archaeological Excavation Interim Report, Gallows Hill, Gipping Valley, Suffolk (Phase 3).
  • <S7> Unpublished document: Newton, A, S.. 2023. Post Excavation Assessment - Gallows Hill, Gipping Valley Suffolk.
  • <S8> Article in serial: Antrobus, A. , Rolfe, J. and De Leo, A.. 2022. Archaeology in Suffolk 2021, Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History.

Finds (14)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (5)

Record last edited

Jul 9 2024 2:15PM

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