Monument record WTL 014 - Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age Ditches, Saxon Gully and Medieval features, Boyton Hall to Kedington pipeline

2018: Full evaluation report to follow
Evaluation trenching along the route of a new water pipeline identified archaeological features in seven of the 26 excavated trenches with a clear focus of activity in Trenches 19 and 20, adjacent to the church of St Mary (HER WTL 002). The earliest activity dated to the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age and comprised three ditches at the E end of Trench 20, two of which form the corner of a rectilinear enclosure extending beyond the trench. Residual pottery and struck flint found in later features also demonstrated prehistoric activity. A later Anglo-Saxon (AD 850–1100) gully in Trench 19 may be a structural feature. The majority of the archaeological features, comprising ditches, pits, post-holes and possible structural slots, appeared to represent an early to ‘high’ medieval (AD 1100–1400) settlement located on the high ground E of the church.
Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2018. (S1)

2019:Archaeological evaluation was identified archaeological remains in twelve of the 26 excavated trenches, with a clear focus of activity being centred around the Church of St. Mary at Little Wratting. The topography of the site may have had a direct influence on the land-use, with the activity located on the freer draining natural geology. The earliest activity dated to the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age represented by three ditches. Two of these ditches form the corner of a square enclosure, the majority of which lies beyond the limits of the trench. Residually deposited pottery and flints were also recovered from features of later date. The next periods identified comprised a later Saxon (AD850-1065) gully, which may be structural in nature, but is difficult to assess given the limited window provided by evaluation trenching. The core of the archaeological activity dated to the earlier medieval period (AD1066-1400) and was clustered around the high ground to the west of the Church of St. Mary at Little Wratting (WTL 002), representing a small settlement with associated agricultural landscape. This was represented by several ditches, possibly indicating a medieval to post medieval field system, pits and four rubbish pits. Four post holes of medieval date were also identified indicating a possible post hole structure. Several undated features due to their location and appearance have been allocated to the medieval period, although these too may have had an earlier origin and included pits, postholes and ditches. (S2)


Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2019 (S3)

2019: The principal result of the excavation was the identification of part of a Late Saxon and medieval village associated with the Church of St. Mary at Little Wratting (WTL 002). This settlement began in earnest in the Later Saxon period with continuity into the high and later medieval periods. The earliest recovered evidence from the site consisted of residually deposited Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age flintwork in features of later date. Evidence for later prehistoric activity was identified with two Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age (1,200-300BC) ditches and two pits excavated. Whilst not being indicative of settlement they do suggest that something akin to a small prehistoric farmstead may be located in the area. The first concerted occupation of the site began in the Late Saxon period (AD875-1065) with the construction of a series of four, mainly post-built, structures and a Sunken Feature Building (SFB) which dated to the Late Saxon period. These structures were not widely associated ditched sub-divisions with only a few ditches present potentially defining enclosures. Structure 3, in the south-eastern corner of site, was the most complete structure on the site consisting of up to 46 post-holes delineating a domestic dwelling or industrial building. Settlement continued into the early medieval period with the construction of three further structures with two of the Late Saxon structures also retained. These structures were associated with a more widespread, regular system of ditched enclosures and sub-divisions. It is likely, given shared Saxon alignments, these early medieval systems assimilated the earlier Saxon ditches incorporating them into the new early medieval enclosure system. At least two trackways were identified as well as a much wider 'droveway'. During the high medieval period the main road had shifted northwards with the establishment of a new road which cut across the southern part of the site. During this period no new structures were identified. However, this does not mean to say that the settlement had disappeared more likely it shadowed the same northern shift as the road. The road shifted again during the high to late medieval period, either moving south towards its former course or further north again. A new enclosure was also constructed
during this time along the western boundary of the site, adjacent to the boundary of the churchyard. This may represent a short-lived expansion of the churchyard or a small annex for the church. At this time there was an increase in the number of 'industrial' features with both direct evidence, such as Ovens, as well as indirect evidence, such as metal working slag and crop processing waste. The latest period on the site dated to the late medieval/ post-medieval represented by two enclosures; one in the northern part of the site and a second in the south-eastern corner. The northern enclosure was substantial in size and depth, whilst the southern was significantly shallower indicating that they were used for wildly different functions. (S4)