Monument record LMD 233 - OUTLINE RECORD: Multi-period activity at Chilton Woods, Long Melford

Geophysical survey identified anomalies indicative of archaeological activity across three locations in the central and eastern parts of the site. These locations correlated with clusters of prehistoric and Roman pottery recovering during fieldwalking undertaken in 1996 and 2004. The form and density of anomalies at two of the locations possibly suggest settlement activity. Linear areas of strong magnetic disturbances located the position of parts of the runway, munitions dump and other infrastructure forming part of the USAAF Sudbury. Other anomalies were caused by agricultural practice and field boundaries (S1).

2014: An evaluation by trial trenching was carried out at Chilton Woods. The evaluation covered c.121.8 hectares, consisting of 356 trenches targeting anomalies detected by the geophysical survey conducted by WYAS as well as sampling apparent blank areas. The works crossed four parish boundaries revealing areas of Late Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and medieval archaeology as well as showing disturbance and levelling from the USAAF base which was located towards the east of the site. There were a total of eight main areas of archaeological interest identified with a few additional isolated features. These consisted of five areas of Late Bronze Age and Iron Age archaeology located mostly in the western part of the site, a Late Iron Age enclosure and associated pits in the eastern part of the site, a Roman enclosure and possible settlement area within the central area of the site, along with medieval enclosures located in the central areas of the site crossing Acton Lane. The evaluation produced moderate quantities of finds from most periods with three partial vessels found (Roman, Iron Age and Bronze Age), two possible loom or thatch weights dating to the Iron Age, copper alloy objects (a Roman coin, a possible ceremonial rattle and a nail gouge) and prehistoric flint tools. A single human cremation was also found, most likely to be prehistoric in date. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2014 (S2). Full report to follow.