Monument record BAW 211 - OUTLINE RECORD: Medieval ditched enclosures East Anglia One Area 42 (EXC)

Excavations revealed dense archaeology with the partial remains of five ditched enclosures all of which were occupied during the medieval period. Occupation began in the 12th century and continued into the late 15th century–early 16th century. The enclosure at the top of the hill appears to be domestic in nature, while the other four were either used for industrial or agricultural purposes. In one of the enclosures a number of small curvilinear gullies were excavated. The gullies appear to have had posts set into them to form a tight ring. In another enclosure a very large pit was excavated, which appears to have had an industrial use. The pit had been lined with clay and had a number of large wooden stakes driven across the middle, with wattle surviving in places between them. At the W end of the pit a large hollowed-out log was found, which had a plug in situ at one end. In the westernmost enclosure a further large pit was excavated. The fill was highly organic in nature. Two pieces of partially-worked leather were found with two large stone mortars. The site appears to have been abandoned in the late 15th or early 16th century, possibly connected to the building of the flood defences along the Deben. This would have dried the flood plains around the site and allowed the land around to be enclosed and put back to arable agriculture (S1).