Monument record EXG 099 - Bronze Age and Roman? Ditches, Land off Windmill Hill, Exning, - (PCA) GEO EVAL

2012: The most significant archaeological remains identified were located in the north-east corner of the site, which were sealed by a deep subsoil accumulation (1.40m below modern ground level). These features were not identified by the geophysical survey due to the considerable depth of the overlying deposits. A large ditch was a substantial boundary feature containing a structural beam slot or palisade trench. Two pits, one containing burnt flint were located to the north of this ditch. These features represent likely evidence for Middle Bronze Age settlement of some status which seems to have been located within and beyond the northern limits of the current area of investigation. A Mid Roman field system or enclosure was indicated by two ditches revealed within Trenches 2 and 9. A very small assemblage of pottery was recovered (two sherds, 22g), yet the perpendicular alignment of the ditches indicates the presence of a Mid Roman agricultural landscape (s1).

2012:A fluxgate gradiometer survey idnetified zones of intense positive magnetic anomalies in the north central area of the field. These magnetic responses are typical of indicating the presence of large scale industrial activity. However, it is likely that the magnetic responses may reflect the presence of naturally occurring iron rich deposits also known as iron panning. Two ephemeral linear anomalies were detected in the western half of the field, possibly indicating the presence of ditches of unknown origin. It is feasible that these may also resemble naturally occurring features within the underlying geology. Other anomalies detected are of a modern nature indicating features such as existing services, telegraph poles, buildings and other modern ferrous debris. No other anomalies of an archaeological nature were detected within the proposed development site (S2).