Monument record FLN 069 - OUTLINE RECORD: FLIXTON QUARRY - MONITOR PHASE 10

An area of c.0.5ha, completing New Quarry Phase 10, was stripped. The features included the continuation of at least two phases of previously recorded rectilinear field boundary systems, one of which was almost certainly post-medieval in date and included elements demarcating the southern edge of the former Flixton to Homersfield road. The second series of ditches were consistent with others tentatively dated to the earlier Roman Period. Other feature included isolated pits, some with black fills that included small quantities of calcined bone. While not thought to represent whole cremations, they may have been generated during the cremation process, possibly as sweepings from the pyre.
However, the most significant archaeology identified in this area was a Neolithic long barrow and its associated features. A continuous ditch that was up to 3m wide and 1.5m deep defined a slightly eccentric oval shape that measured 45m S.W.-N.E. x 20m N.W.-S.E. Features enclosed by and thought to be directly associated with the ditch included post-holes parallel to its internal edge, forming a rectangular structure which was divided into two. The larger section to the S.W. encompassed about two thirds of the interior area. The post-holes running across the eastern end of the smaller, square, eastern section were much larger than those elsewhere and were thought to represent a formal façade/entrance providing access to a linear, 11m long x 2m wide trough-like feature immediately to the west and aligned on the long axis of the monument. No artefacts were recovered from the trough, but a large number of flint cobbles had been collected and deposited in a pile and in linear arrangements towards the eastern end of the feature. A pit excavated into the eastern end of the trough also contained flint cobbles. Also thought to be directly associated with the long barrow, due to its location between the line of post-holes on the southern side of the enclosed area and the ditch itself, was a large oval pit measuring 5m x 2m, with a depth of 1m. Two significant finds from the pit fill were a broken, but complete Mildenhall Ware bowl and a large shale bead, the latter identified as a Monster Bead (Alison Sheridan pers. comm.). These finds, if contemporary with the monument, suggest an Early Neolithic date with a period of use during the 4th millennium BC. Immediately to the east of the long barrow, the opposed butt-ends of two curving ditches were recorded, both continuing on beyond the eastern edge of the stripped area. While the eastern side of the feature was beyond the edge of the site, it was consistent with it representing a single circular monument with a diameter of 13m. The recovery of Beaker pottery in the upper fill of the adjacent long barrow ditch combined with the presence of the circular feature is suggestive of a second phase of activity, possibly during the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age, that was directly focussed on the earlier monument. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2007 (S1)

2005: FLN 069 – south of School Wood (1.5ha). In addition to continuations of the undated and post-medieval ditches and old road already noted under FLN068, significant archaeological deposits of prehistoric date, probably Early Bronze Age, were recorded. Two ring-ditches were identified (Fig. 8). The first was c.12m in diameter and enclosed an area with two pits: one containing two biconical urns and the other one biconical urn. The inverted urns contained cremated bone with some objects (an unidentified copper-alloy object and twelve faience beads). The central pit containing two urns was surrounded by a small square (c.2 metres by c.2 metres) ditched enclosure with an entrance towards the south-east. The second ring-ditch was c.35 metres in diameter, constructed from a series of almost straight ditch segments. A grave-like feature was excavated in the centre of the enclosed area, but no evidence for a body was present and no artefacts were recovered.
In addition, an isolated oval grave was recorded which contained a crushed, but complete Early Bronze Age beaker. A rectangular stain within the grave has been interpreted as possibly being the remains of a bier or hollowed out tree trunk into which the body would have been placed. Other features recorded included a number of circular pits containing traces of calcined bone and one with a small complete upturned pot placed centrally within its fill. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2005