Monument record ERL 236 - Roman pits and ditches, Saxon ditch and prehistoric finds at Rochester Road Soakaway, RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell

2014: An excavation was carried out at the Water Works. A well stratified sequence of pits and a large posthole (all probably later Iron Age/early Roman) was overlaid by a series of ditch systems, which dated from the early Roman to the Early Anglo-Saxon period. These in turn were covered by an Early Anglo-Saxon occupation layer. A significant quantity of pottery, animal bone and ceramic building material was retrieved from the site, along with two Roman coins. This is an extension of the Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlement already recorded on previous excavations around the Caudle Head Mere area. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2014 (S1).

2014: Excavations at the waterworks has revealed a well-preserved sequence of features, finds and other deposits dated to the Mesolithic-early Neolithic, later prehistoric and early Roman to Middle Saxon periods. The earlier prehistoric material consists of struct flinds, indicative of low levels of occupation in the area. The later prehistoric finds also suggest limited occupation in the area. The Roman occupation consists of a number of pits, a posthole and ditches. The ditches probably represent field systems as well as drainage, while the pits may hint at a continuation of Iron Age traditions which have been recorded elsewhere on the base. Such ditches are found widely across the airbase, funcioning as property boundaries, stock enclosures and drainage features and are typical of Late Iron Age and Roman occupation in the area. The lastest Roman or Early Saxon activity features consist of a possible palisade fence/beam slot and two ditches. The excavation also revealed early to middle saxon finds and an associated layer which is evidence of more intensive settlement in this area. The number of pottery sherds recovered demonstrated a relatively significant level of occupation (S2).