Monument record CHT 021 - Early Saxon pit and three Medieval/Post-Medieval ditches. Land at County Farm, Church Field Road. Chilton

Archaeological evaluation on land at the former County Farm, Church Field Road, Chilton confirmed the position of three medieval/post-medieval ditches, previously known aerial photography and earlier programmes of evaluation and excavation in the adjacet fields. A single pit containing fragments of an early Anglo-Saxon ceramic vessel, possible a crucible, was an isolated feature but suggests a phase of industrial activity in the vicinity. Also remains from a possible human cremation were produced on this feature.
There was no indication for any activity extending this far westwards drom the substantial Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age enclosure (CHT 009/015) c. 200m to the east (S1).

2012: Further excavation revealed two additional pits during the excavation, one dating from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age and the other dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. A single undated small gully was identified in the south-western part of the site, and the continuation of one of the medieval/post-medieval ditches was recorded in the north-western corner of the site. (S2)

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2012 (S3).

A relatively dense concentration of later prehistoric flints was recovered during field walking of the wider Church Field Road area where the assessment site is located (CHT 010). A large Middle/Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age enclosure is located approximately 200m to the south-east of the assessment site
(CHT 009 & 015). Archaeological remains, such as four-post structures and other ancillary features, potentially may lie outside the enclosed area, to the west, whilst an Iron Age trackway extends westwards towards the assessment site. A deserted medieval village (DMV) and village green are located to the south and west of St Mary’s Church (CHT 002, 004, 009 & 018). A Late Saxon/Early Medieval house within the Iron Age enclosure probably marks the western limit of the settlement. A medieval double-ditched trackway extends westwards towards the application site, and medieval ditches have been identified by previous trial trenching in the area close to it. A light scatter of medieval pottery has also been recovered from the surrounding fields. There are possible redundant post-medieval field boundaries in close proximity to the site and potentially crossing it (S4).