Monument record RKN 011 - Calke Wood (BA)

Calke Wood is a multi period site consisting of an area of hollows of varying sizes and depths, many of which contain features. The area is encompassed within an earthwork, possibly Med boundaries, and has been used extensively as a source of pottery clay throughout the settlement periods and into modern times. Calke Wood had been kept under excavation by Basil Brown for IPSMG since the mid 1930's with excavations by him from time to time and in 1956 an excavation on behalf of MOW was undertaken by J S Wacher. This site has obvious connections with the Cottage Field site, Wattisfield, WSF 001 and Foxledge Common, Wattisfield, WSF 003, with the parish boundary running between them (S1)(S2).
In 1951 Basil Brown excavated BA shaft in hollow 2, to a depth of circa 30 feet, diameter at top circa 9.5 feet, which was clay lined, covered with a black deposit to a depth of over 15 feet. Worked flints and Beaker pottery sherds found in and around shaft. Many observations as to the use of the shaft including dwelling, pottery making site and storage pit, but no decision was made finally as to its probable use. Possibly it is a natural formation as there are others in the area which appear from time to time. The worked flints included scrapers and a triangular arrowhead or knife. Bronze spearhead with tip missing also found at site, not located exactly (S3).
See also other periods cross referenced below.
(S1) See below.
(S2) IPSMG, map M6, plans M104,M132,M140,M142,M143
(S3) Brown B,I,65,68,70,71,73,75,76,78-109,133-141,146,152a;LXX,58-73,86-93