Monument record BSE 453 - Group of Neolithic/Bronze Age ring ditches

2014: An archaeological evaluation identified 3 ring ditches which were first picked up during the initial geophysical survey which are likely to represent a Neolithic/ Bronze Age barrow group. A possible ditch was revealed which on excavation appeared to be a natural channel. The presence of Anglo-Saxon pottery in the infills of all ditches suggest that they remained partly open through to this period. A large sub-circular pit was identified containing eighteen sherds of early Anglo-Saxon pottery and burnt flint. Frequent vitrified material, possibly slag, was later recovered during processing of a bulk soil sample of the deposit. The Anglo-Saxon activity is likely to be linked to the substantial phase of early Anglo-Saxon occupation at NWN 018 to the south. A post-medieval ditch was identified containing post-medieval CBM. Several undated features were also identified including a possible ditch, pit, gully. A large amount of unstratified prehistoric worked flint was recorded (S1). Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2014 (S2).

Evaluation results in the southern area of the site is recorded under NWN 018.

2014:The geophysical survey conducted on land to the south-east of Bury St Edmunds identified a limited but notable range of potential archaeological features, primarily concentrated in Areas 9 and 10. In Area 10, the survey revealed several potential ditches and pits, including at least two relatively large ring ditches in the southern part of the field, with further curvilinear anomalies suggesting additional ring ditches and a probable enclosure extending into the southern area. Area 9 showed geophysical traces of ditches, some aligning with known cropmarks, and a possible partial ring ditch near the dismantled railway. Additional anomalies in this area may represent pits or ditches not previously recorded as cropmarks. Central areas of the site (Areas 7 and 8) contained indications of backfilled quarries and pits. Modern features identified inclused buried services, pylons, remnants of a decommissioned railway, a recent quarry pit, potnetial landfill and a Second World War pillbox. The survey results suggest the presence of archaeological remains potentially dating from prehistoric to Saxon periods, particularly near the River Lark floodplain.