Monument record IXW 194 - Post Medieval Brick Kiln, Iron Age pit and undated features at Pre Stanton Link Scheme, Ixworth

Monitoring identified two post medieval brick kilns.The kiln could be identified as Suffolk types making bricks, roof tiles and clay drain pipes probably for local farms and dating to the 19th century. Earlier archaeological evidence was restricted to mixed date finds from tree-throws and later features, a single undated but possibly prehistoric pit with a charcoal/fire-cracked flint fill, an undated gully and an Iron Age pit. Two extensive areas of colluvium were not removed as part of the easement works but two trenches were excavated through them to determine the extent of surviving archaeology underneath and to sample it. These were shown to be masking further archaeological features similar in character to those seen across the rest of the strip. These inluded two ditches, a prehistoric pit and two undated pits (S1).

A watching brief was undertaken during the topsoil strip of the easement for the proposed Stanton Link Main. 2 post-medieval brick kilns were identified. 1 was fully excavated whilst the other was preserved in situ. The kilns were Suffolk types, dating to the 19th century and making bricks, roof-tiles and clay drainpipes probably for local farms. Earlier evidence was restricted to mixed date finds from tree throws and later features, a single undated, but possibly prehistoric pit with a charcoal/fire-cracked flint fill, an undated gully and an Iron Age pit. 2 extensive areas of colluvium were not removed as part of the easement works, but trenches were excavated to determine the extent of surviving archaeology underneath and to sample it, which showed it to be masking features similar in character to those seen across the rest of the strip (S2).