Monument record LCS 220 - Iron Age field system, medieval features and Post medieval features, St Margaret's Crescent (SCCAS) GEO (ASE) EVAL (CFA) EXC

2016: Geophysical survey revealed linear features indicative of former field boundaries, and four areas where marl pits or ponds and a field boundary/trackway are depicted on the Tithe Map form 1841 and 1882-84 OS map, there is also evidence of back filled pits (S1).

2021: Evaluation followed geophysical survey. Early/Middle Iron Age activity was represented by perpendicular ditches at right angles to each other that may form part of a small field system. Most other dated features appear to be of medieval date, including a circular oven with adjacent rake-out deposits. A large ditch in the centre of the site, in accordance with geophysical survey, seems to be a part of a circular enclosure of unknown function. Post-medieval features were also present. A large irregular quarry/pond, partially overlain by a patch of flint cobbles and truncated by a large pit, was associated with the medieval period due to the similarities of the fill and its contents with that of the oven (S2).

2020: Two excavation areas were focused on features recorded during a prior trial trenching evaluation, which had identified a probable medieval oven (Area A) and a semi-circular medieval enclosure ditch (Area B). The excavation confirmed the presence of a stone-lined circular oven or hearth in Area A which contained trace quantities of six row hulled barley, suggesting it may have been used for corn drying, along with a network of ditches and gullies of likely medieval date forming agricultural plots; no finds were recovered. In Area B, a large semi-circular ditch was recorded, which had between two and three episodes of recutting, and which contained pottery dating to the 13th or 14th century and some animal bone, as well as small quantities of oak and hazel charcoal. A unique type of vessel, lug-handled bowls, has been recorded at this site, which may have had a specialist function. This is likely to be the remains of a windmill mound. The medieval field system, oven and windmill mound provide evidence for rural agricultural and economic activity on the outskirts of the medieval village of Leiston. The remains identified on site are of local significance and make a valuable contribution to our understanding of patterns of settlement and land use in the region.
Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2022 (S3)