Monument record IPS 2121 - OUTLINE RECORD: Late Bronze Age Settlement, field boundary and small cremation cemetery at Pre Europa Way Scheme 2020 (CAS) EVAL

Excavation revealed features dating from the later prehistoric to modern periods, with the focus comprising a Late Bronze Age settlement, field/boundary system and small cremation cemetery. The settlement, represented by two post-built roundhouses, numerous four- and six-post structures, post-hole groups, two ring-gullies, and several pits, extended across the excavation area. The field system was aligned on a NE to SW axis, with the small (unurned) cremation cemetery positioned in a discrete location to the SE of the settlement. A significant assemblage of Post-Deverel–Rimbury ceramics was recovered from features associated with the settlement, alongside occasional sherds of earlier and later date. The Late Bronze Age assemblage includes potential evidence for pottery manufacture on or near to the site. Other finds of note include fired clay weights, a clay spindle whorl, worked flint including a rare example of a flint quern, and a copper-alloy pin (S1).

15 of 21 evaluation trenches revealed features comprising ditches, gullies, pits, ring gullies and a cremation. Most features were dated to the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age by Post-Deverel–Rimbury type pottery (PDR). Other dated features included a ditch containing Roman pottery and a pit with a possible medieval sherd. The distribution of features suggests a potential Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age settlement across most of the land parcel. 1 of 2 potential ring gullies (which could represent drip gullies) produced substantial amounts of PDR pottery. These remains indicate occupation, possibly associated with cremations. Later Roman and medieval finds were scarce and likely to represent activity taking place in the vicinity as opposed to within the site itself (S2).