Monument record IPS 024 - Double circle Ring Ditch, Ipswich Airport, Ipswich, (IAS 9108).

Double circle ring ditch at TM 1972 4129 approximately (revised from TM 198 413). Diameter not measureable from AP. A mound is shown at or close to this point on Hodskinson's map of 1783 (S2). The area was then extra parochial part of Alnesburne Priory, a contemporary estate map dated 1770 does not show the mound but calls the field `Mount Lay' (S3) see IPS 027.

1999-2000: confirmed by trenching (SCCAS) during Ipswich Airport evaluation work - see IPS 399 (S4, S5).

2008: 'southern third or so has been severely compromised by three anti-traveller trenches excavated in the last few years [by Borough Council?] on the side closest to the road to Alnesbourn. One trench is c800mm x 800mm and the other two a bit smaller but not good' (S5).
Location re-mapped on HER map to conform with 1999-2000 trenching (located by TST) to TM 1968 4123. Diameter estimated to be 30m for outer ring, 17m for inner ring.

2008: Monitoring of a cable trench revealed a section through ringditch IPS 024, although it was not possible to record other than photographically (S6).

See also (S7-S9).

An archaeological evaluation on the southern edge of the former airport was carried out in advance of tree planting for a housing development. Thirty trenches, 2m wide and totalling 1179.5m in length were opened up, revealing three main areas of activity:
IPS024: Two trenches were opened to pinpoint a ring-ditch that is thought to be the remains of a round barrow recorded on a map of 1783. The ring-ditch and a number of other ditches and pits were exposed. Surface cleaning of these revealed a number of worked flints.
IPS390: A trench adjacent to Brazier’s Wood and overlooking the River Orwell revealed a high concentration of pits and ditches containing an abundance of pottery of the 1st century AD. Preliminary analysis suggests a settlement with densely clustered features – substantial ditches, pits, post-holes and a number of possible cremation burials. Most of the features contained 1st-century pottery, but one pit contained prehistoric pottery, flint blades and a leaf-shaped projectile point.
IPS391: A trench beside the route between medieval Clapgate Lane and Alnesbourne Priory revealed a number of medieval ditches, pits and post-holes. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 1999 (S10)