Monument record SXG 025 - Possible Roman features and post-medieval field boundaries at RESERVOIR, SYMONDS ROAD, GREAT SAXHAM (BRIT ARCH) EVAL

2023: An evaluation was undertaken in advance of the construction of a reservoir. Features present comprised ditches and pits which, due to the overall paucity of finds across the site, remain largely undated. Linear ditches on an approximately north-south orientation were present across the site. Several ditches can be idnetified on 19th century maps as former field boundaries and it is likely those on similar allignments and of similar form are contemporary. However, two ditches present at the west end of the site were on a slightly different allignment and of different form. Despite trench extensions no dating evdience was found but a pit found in the same trench produced a single small sherd of Roman pottery. Dating is tentative given the size and slight abrasion of the sherd, but this suggests a possible Roman date for these ditches. In addition, these ditches are adjacent to a rectinlinear crop mark and could indicate a possible date for this so far undated fetaure. Further pits were identified across the site some of which contained charcoal evidence and it has been suggested these could indicate post medieval charcoal manufacturing activity. A notable unstratified find was a flaked axe of Neolithic date which is certainly residual but does indicate the presence of Neolithic activity in the wider area. (S1)