Monument record FKM 051 - A probable prehistoric field system at Solar Farm, Thetford Road, Fakenham Magna, EVAL (OAE)

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Summary

Evaluation identified Early Iron Age fields or paddocks, pits and Lithic implements of Late prehistoric date.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 589 274 (556m by 278m)
Map sheet TL52NE
Civil Parish FAKENHAM MAGNA, ST EDMUNDSBURY, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (5)

Full Description

Evidence for activity relating to an agricultural landscape associated with residual worked flints and possibly contemporary Early Iron Age pottery (although this is uncertain) was found. In addition there were scatters of worked flints indicating that the area was (probably seasonally) utilised in the Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic and Early Bronze Age periods. A small assemblage of mostly Earlier Neolithic flints including some burnt were residual within probable Early Iron Age features in two trenches in the south-west corner of Field 2. Elsewhere across the site was a sparse scatter of unstratified flints dating from the Late Mesolithic/Early Neolithic to Early Bronze Age periods. Ditches (some large) of probable Early Iron Age date and perhaps enclosing fields or paddocks, were found in the south-western corner of Field 2. These fields or paddocks were generally rectangular and estimated to have been up to 50m in length and between c.13m to 18m wide. No structures were found, although given the presence of a small assemblage of Early Iron Age pottery, domestic occupation is likely to have been located somewhere in the vicinity; probably beyond the confines of the development area to the south or west. A single abraded Roman pottery sherd may indicate manuring of the fields during the Roman period. Both Fields appear to have continued in use for agriculture until the present day (S1).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2013 (S2)

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <S1> Unpublished document: Atkins, R.. 2013. Archaeological Evaluation Report, A probable prehistoric field system at Solar Farm, Thetford Road, Fakenham Magna.
  • <S2> Article in serial: Brudenell, M. & Plouviez, J.. 2014. Archaeology in Suffolk 2013. XXXXIII (2).

Finds (2)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Aug 12 2024 2:37PM

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