Monument record IPS 707 - Mixed use development, Grafton Way, Ipswich.

2012: An archaeological evaluation was carried out on a parcel of land to the south of Grafton Way, Ipswich, in advance of a mixed use development. A total of five trenches were excavated which revealed extensive marsh deposits beneath mid-19th century reclamation deposits. Remains of two 19th century structures relating to a former railway goods station were recorded but no earlier features were noted. A single leather shoe, possibly 15th century in date, was recovered from a peat layer c. 2m below present ground level, (S1).

Results of Environmental anaylisis indicated that the site formerly lay within an area of tidal influenceresulting in sediment accumulation which led to the establishment of an area of saltmarsh. Radiocarbon dating of a basal sample suggested this process began in the late to early post-Roman period (419 543 Cal AD). Evidence for human activity was demonstrated in the coleopteran and pollen assemblages suggesting there may have been some instances of refuse deposition in the saltmarsh.

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2012 (S2).