Monument record FSM 024 - Land at Hollow Road Farm, Fornham St Martin.

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Summary

A number of possible archaeological features were identified as geophysical anomolies. Subsequent evaluation and excavation identified features of Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman date.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 5863 2664 (373m by 248m)
Map sheet TL52NE
Civil Parish FORNHAM ST MARTIN, ST EDMUNDSBURY, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (13)

Full Description

2014: A range of anomalies were recorded during the survey, some of which have a potential archaeological origin. Isolated dipolar responses were most common and probably relate to ferrous material being introduced into the topsoil through manuring. Three broad areas of magnetic disturbance recorded on the south-eastern border of the site represent ferrous readings associated with the new barn, one further area is recorded to the north within close proximity of the field boundary. A series of broad weak positive anomalies that are predominantly of a linear nature and orientated approximately north-east to south-west are potentially of a geological origin, however an archaeological derivation cannot be ruled out. Seven narrow positive linear trends recorded on a north-east to south-west alignment are indicative of agricultural land drains. A pair of negative and positive linear trends recorded parallel with the western boundary are indicative of backfilled and ploughed-out bank and ditch remains. Three positive discrete anomalies indicative of archaeological rubbish pits are recorded on the brow of the slope towards the centre of the dataset. One positive linear anomaly aligned north-east to south-west indicative of a backfilled boundary sub-division has been recorded on a completely different orientation than the current field alignment. This suggests an earlier phase, perhaps relating to Roman features recorded during the excavation (HER No. SFM 081) to the south-east. Two curvilinear anomalies indicative of archaeological ring ditches or potential drip gullies have been recorded on the brow of the slope, a geological derivation cannot be ruled out (S1).

2016: A trenched evaluation revealed a total of 13 features in 24 trenches, indicative of site occupation spanning from at least the Middle Iron Age through to the Roman period. Features were focussed in the eastern third of the field and include ditched enclosures recorded on a variety of alignments, with finds revealing that the site had been subdivided from at least the Middle Iron Age. Materials recovered from within the rubbish pits and ditch fills indicate that domestic habitation, animal husbandry and cereal crop production had taken place within the site (S3).

2018: Archaeological features exposed in the investigation included ditches, pits and post holes, containing artefacts indicative of Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman settlement activity. The most prominent fetaures were a series of parallel ditches dating to the Middle to Late Iron Age and part of a small Roman enclosure identified in previous works to the south (S2).

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <S1> Unpublished document: Adams, M. 2014. Geophysical Survey Report, Land at Hollow Lane Farmhouse, Hollow Lane, Fornham St Martin.
  • <S2> Unpublished document: Douglas, C., and Schofield, T.. 2018. Post-excavation Assessment: WSOH, Land at Hollow Road Farm, Fornham St Martin.
  • <S3> Article in serial: Suffolk Institute of Archaeology. 2017. Archaeology in Suffolk, 2016.

Finds (22)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (4)

Record last edited

Jul 26 2024 2:55PM

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