Monument record SEY 035 - Iron Age and Early Roman features at Flixton Quarry

2011: Iron Age and Early Roman features identified during evaluation trenching at Flixton Quarry. The features comprised of pits and ditches and were almost all concentrated to the eastern end of the site, with one exception located to the south west. The represent an unbroken period of occupation previously been identified elsewhere in the quarry. Undated features in the area are also likely dated to this phase of activity. The latest features of this phase are dated to the end of the 2nd century (S1).

2012: An archaeological desk based assessment was undertaken on a parcel of land known as Cartwrights Covert for a proposed extension to Flixton Quarry. It concluded the proposed development area identified heritage assets had a general low to medium value for most periods with medium to high potential for Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age Features and a possible higher significance for the later medieval focus on the site depending on its function (S2).

2017:Excavation identified evidence which indicated that activity was continuous throughout the Iron Age and most of the Roman period. While the number of features securely attributed to the earlier/middle Iron Age were limited, residual artefactual evidence, particularly pottery, was recovered from many of the later features. Later in the Iron Age and throughout the Iron Age – Roman transitional period, increased levels of activity was represented by a range of structures and feature types. Structural evidence was essentially restricted to a large number of four-post and occasional six-post structures, presumably granaries, along with a larger eight-post structure and a few shallow slots that may have represented ground beams. No roundhouses, were positively identified, although two small continuous ring-ditches and two penannular ring-ditches were present. Other features included ditches/gullies and pits, some large. There was also evidence for iron smelting and smithing and antler working. The artefactual evidence included some high status small finds of types that hint of a military influence during the 1st century. The level of activity appeared to decline during the Roman period with relatively limited material evidence for 3rd century activity and almost nothing from the 4th century (S3).