Monument record NKT 047 - Fordham Road, Newmarket

2013 Post excavation assessment: The excavations uncovered a multi-phase settlement with evidence of occupation on the site from the Early Neolithic and the remains of a settlement dating from the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age through to the Iron Age. Pottery and lithics dating to the Early Neolithic were recovered residually from across the site but were also found in concentration in a pit. A layer, thought to be midden, pits and a post built structure contained pottery and lithics dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age as well as a short length of Bronze wire. These were associated with a line of tree pits which may have formed an early boundary across the site.

The boundaries of the Early Bronze Age settlement were respected and elaborated during the Middle Bronze Age when the majority of activity took place on the site. Three enclosures dated to this period. One of the enclosures was formed by a palisade to the north and a ditched boundary to the west. It contained six post-built structures as well as several areas of postholes that may have been related to fences, animal pens, hay-ricks and ancillary shelters and buildings. The other enclosure was bounded by ditches and was later re-cut to form another enclosure. These enclosures contained three post-built structures which contained pottery dating to the Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age. Charred grains and quern stones provide good evidence for cereal processing, whilst the animal bone assemblage is typical of the Middle Bronze Age with predominantly primary butchery waste of cattle being recovered. The recovery of hazelnuts and red deer antler indicate that a pastoral life-style was being supplemented by hunting and foraging (S1).