Monument record FLN 091 - Prehistoric and Roman settlement and occupation at Flixton Quarry extension

2017: Excavation revealed Neolithic and Bronze Age small dispersed clusters of pit-like features throughout the site. However, the principal archaeological deposits uncovered related to the Late Iron Age and Roman periods, effectively continuing the occupation area previously excavated immediately to the south-west as FLN 062. The deposits were dominated by pits with occasional ditches. One concentration of pits was associated with curving ditches/gullies which demarked an area of c.13m in diameter, possibly representing the position of a structure or designated working area. A clay lined oven was also recorded cut into the top of a large, broadly contemporary pit. Post-medieval deposits were dominated by features relating to a series of 20th century military buildings and their associated infrastructure. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2017 (S1). Full report to follow.


The continuing expansion of the working areas at Flixton Park Quarry involved soil-stripping over an area of c.3 hectares during 2015, split between the main quarry (FLN 091) and an extension area known as Cartwrights Covert (SEY 035). Features relating to a number of archaeological periods were recorded. Isolated features of Neolithic date, principally pits, were recorded along with a background scatter of worked flint of this period. Small clusters of later Neolithic/earlier Bronze Age beaker pits were recorded in both areas. Later Iron Age and ?early Roman occupation features were recorded widely throughout both areas, but were particularly concentrated in SEY 035 where at least thirteen four-post structures were recorded along with possible evidence for at least three rectangular buildings. Elements of a contemporary ditched field system previously identified in the quarry continued into both areas. Post medieval features included ditches representing boundaries extant on historic maps, post-holes marking the lines of fences, features relating to military buildings of WW II date and geological test-holes and bore-holes. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2015 Full Report to follow.

2012: A further 1.5ha was stripped of topsoil and, with the exception of ditches and post-holes marking boundaries and the previous route of the Flixton to Homersfield road (all known from estate and early Ordnance Survey maps) and a post-medieval quarry pit, the remaining datable features were prehistoric.
A discrete group of pits excavated towards the S end of the FLN 091 area included a significant quantity of earlier Bronze Age domestic Beaker pottery and worked flint. Further structural evidence for circular post-built buildings and four-post structures of the later Bronze Age was recorded in the FLN 090 area and a circular post-built building associated with pits of Iron Age date was uncovered in the FLN 091 area. In addition, a number of ditches were identified that clearly predated the post-medieval field boundaries, but did not themselves include dating evidence. These have tentatively been interpreted as part of an earlier, Iron Age or Roman field system.

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2013 (S5)

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

The principle periods represented were as follows: Neolithic: long enclosure, formal pit group, pit circle and other pits. Early Bronze Age: vestiges of two ring-ditches and pits and a Late Bronze Age Possible grave. Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age: extensive occupation deposits. Middle Iron Age: occupation deposits including a roundhouse. Prehistoric remations were excavated. Late Iron Age/Early Roman: occupation deposits including some evidence for metalworking. Post-medieval: various features including ditches, quarry pits, tree-holes, fence-lines and WW II military structures. A number of the ditches relate directly to features shown on early estate and Ordnance Survey maps (S6).