Monument record SXM 023 - Land to the rear of Bay House, 22 Market Place, Saxmundham

The site is situated within an area of previously known medieval and post-medieval activity. The work involved the excavation of two trenches placed within the footprint of two proposed dwellings, both of which contained features and deposits of archaeological interest, especially in the southern half of the site. These included evidence for a structure, a pit and a probable capped well. The archaeological evidence indicates that the site of medieval to post-medieval settlement extends into the proposed development area. The structural evidence comprised a number of post-holes from which sherds of medieval and post-medieval pottery and a clay pipe bowl were recovered. Although, the features yielded integrated dating evidence it is tentatively suggested here that they are post-medieval in date. A deposit of chalky clay till which was also partially revealed may represent part of a capped well. The evaluation work has shown that well-preserved archaeological features and deposits are present within the proposed development area. These features constitute good potential for furthering an understanding of the nature of medieval and post-medieval settlement (S1).