Monument record HVH 099 - Remains of Late Bronze Age to predominantly Middle Iron Age agricultural activity, Land at Great Wilsey Park (MOLAN) EVAL

2016: Trench evaluation comprised 314 trenches. Middle Iron Age remains were concentrated around the central area with a ring ditch and a possible enclosure within which may have been the remains of a kiln/hearth structure with associated ashy deposits. A number of isolated Iron Age pits were also found in the south-western part of the site and two possible field systems in the central-western and south-western areas. The pottery assemblage comprises domestic forms but the number of bowls hints at perhaps a slightly higher status site than a lone farmstead. Medieval activity consisting of ditches and pits of the 12th to early 13th century was concentrated in the south-eastern area. The moderate quantity of medieval pottery recovered from the site implies a settlement within the immediate environs of the site, which tallies with the location of both Wilsey Manor Hall and Little Wilsey moated site. The total absence of late medieval pottery is perhaps consistent with an abandonment of Wilsey Hall Manor. Overall the medieval landscape appears to be that of farm and pasture land either associated with, or owned by, the moated sites of Wilsey Hall Manor located close to the centre of the site and the unscheduled Little Wilsey moated site located to the south-east of the site boundary, with a possible area of common ground ridge and furrow agriculture taking place to the south.
Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2016 (S3)

2019: Archaeological excavation identified a small quantity of residual work flint of broadly prehistoric (Mesolithic to Early Bronze Age) date from across the excavation areas provides evidence of a limited and likely transitory presence in the landscape during the earlier prehistoric.
The remains of a Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age coaxial field system, comprising three boundary ditches, were found in Area A. These likely divided the landscape into agricultural fields; however, no remains suggested of an associated settlement was located within the site boundaries. Limited remains were found to occupy these fields, consisting of scattered pits and a possible associated structure of presumed agricultural function. Associated dating evidence was minimal and phasing of these remains is based on stratigraphic relationships with later features.
Land use was most intense on site during the Middle Iron Age, with remains of this period found across both excavation areas. Boundary ditches, large storage pits and two post-built structures were distributed across Area A, suggestive of a change from arable to pastoral land use that could be associated with nearby Middle Iron Age settlement located 400m northwest. The remains of two additional Iron Age structures, comprising a roundhouse and ring-ditch in Area B, associated with the recovery of a moderate assemblage of typical Middle Iron Age pottery and processed animal remains, indicates domestic settlement activity here. A single piece of human bone was recovered from the ring-ditch, potentially inferring some form of ritual activity was occurring within the vicinity of the site.
Except for a small quantity of residual 1st century Roman pottery and five metaldetected finds, no clear evidence of Roman or Anglo-Saxon land use was encountered on site.
Two phases of medieval agricultural activity were recorded in Area A. The initial phase of land use was represented by a series of parallel gullies that covered the entire excavation area, constituting the remains of an extensive cultivation system. The function of these parallel gullies is broadly interpreted as agricultural in nature, perhaps associated with arable farming and/or drainage. The second phase constitutes reorganisation of the landscape, with three boundary ditches defining larger tracts of arable fields. Limited dating evidence, largely comprising residual and intrusive finds, was recovered from these features, though their stratigraphic relationship with earlier and later features and their comparison to regional similarities is suggestive of a medieval date.
Post-medieval remains were found in both excavation areas and comprised primarily of field boundary ditches and the historic boundary that separated the parishes of Haverhill and Little Wratting. Several of these boundaries are recorded on historic mapping and are indicative of the continued agricultural management and use of the landscape (S1).

A preceding geophysical survey in 2013-2014 and two phases of archaeological evaluation in 2015 and 2017 of the c.138ha development site established the presence of prehistoric, in particular Iron Age, medieval and post-medieval remains. Two excavation areas (Areas A and B), totalling c.2.95ha, were the focus of this initial phase of mitigation fieldwork within development Phases 1a–c. The remains of a Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age coaxial field system were found in Area A, comprising three boundary ditches. Evidence of activity within this was sparse, consisting of scattered pits and one possible gully- and post-built structure. Middle Iron Age remains were found across both excavation areas. Boundary ditches, large storage pits and two post-built structures were spread across Area A. The remains of two further Iron Age structures, comprising a roundhouse and ring-ditch, were uncovered within Area B, associated with a moderate assemblage of typical Middle Iron Age pottery and processed animal remains that, indicate domestic settlement activity. A single piece of human bone was recovered from the ring-ditch, potentially inferring some form of ritual activity here. Two phases of probable medieval agricultural activity were uncovered in Area A. The initial phase of land use was represented by a series of parallel gullies that covered the entire excavation area, constituting the remains of a cultivation system. The second phase re-organised the landscape, with three boundary ditches creating larger tracts of arable fields. Post-medieval remains were found in both excavation areas and comprised primarily of field boundary ditches, including the parish boundary between Haverhill and Little Wratting (S2).