Monument record EXG 102 - Iron Age and Romen features, Brickfield Stud, Newmarket

2012: Desk based assessment identified in general the topographic location of the Proposed development area and the known archaeology of the surrounding area suggests that there is a moderate to high potential for encountering archaeological deposits of prehistoric to medieval date within the Proposed development area, and that such deposits are likely to be well preserved and at relatively shallow depths (S1).

2014: Evidence for prehistoric activity within the development area was recovered in the form of an Iron Age pit and ditch, along with residual material recovered from later contexts. Some of this material was derived from colluvial deposits, which might indicate that prehistoric settlement within the locality was situated on higher ground to the south of the development. Evidence for a 2nd and 3rd century Romano-British enclosure system, aligned perpendicular to a putative Roman road, was uncovered. Sections of the metalled surface of the road were surviving in Trenches 11 and 12. This feature might represent a route connecting Margary's route 333, to the south, with Ely. Furthermore, it is tentatively suggested that this road could have a precursor connecting to the large Iron Age settlement identified at No. 7 The Highlands. Taken at face value, the Roman finds assemblage is typical of low order settlements within the region, with little evidence for imported goods. However, the presence of ceramic building material may suggest the presence of a large Roman building, potentially a villa, in the vicinity of the development area. The faunal remains represent one of the larger assemblages recovered locally, which might also indicate settlement close by. A number of medieval boundary ditches and post-medieval/modern features were also recorded (S2). Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2014 (S3).