Monument record MNL 463 - River Lark; West Row Fen; The Mildenhall River (Rom)

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Summary

Canalised course of the River Lark between approximately TL 640 765, near Bank Farm, northwards to TL 605 829, where the River Lark joins the River Ouse at Prickwillow (Cambs).

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 6310 7844 (2408m by 5143m) Centred on
Map sheet TL67NW
Civil Parish MILDENHALL, FOREST HEATH, SUFFOLK
County CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Canalised course of the River Lark between approximately TL 640 765, near Bank Farm, northwards to TL 605 829, where the River Lark joins the River Ouse at Prickwillow (Cambs). Total length between these points of circa 7.2km.
It is suggested that the section northwards, from Lark Hall Farm, Isleham Fen (TL 624 797), is part of a Roman diversion which continued S from Lark Hall Farm across Baskeybay in Cambs to TL 640 765, as an old slade (an extinct river channel infilled with shell marl),SW of the present course (cf S1, S2, S3).
Note for Rom finds from river, or from eroded embanking material(!) where surroundings are below 0m contour (so deep fen location), see MNL 098 & 099 (pot scatters) and in Cambs (see Cambs HER & S1), from an extinct stream at Isleham is a C4 coin hoard, from the bed of the old slade at Isleham is a pewter hoard & indented beakers (S1-237)(R1)(R2) and `found in bed of river in Isleham Fen' are `rude draining tiles, samian and other pottery' (ibid; R3).
The present course of the Lark S of Lark Hall Farm, replacing the old slade is thought to be Med, possibly monastic.
Note: Baldwins Lode links into the Lark. The present course would certainly appear to have been in existence from the C17 onwards.
See also Med.

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <R1> (No record type): PCAS, 33, 165f.
  • <S1> (No record type): Phillips C W, The Fenland in Roman Times, RGS Res Ser, 5, 1970, 11, 236 & map K.
  • <R2> (No record type): PCAS, 34, 93.
  • <S2> (No record type): Fowler G, `Fenland Waterways, Past & Present: South Level District Part 1', PCAS, 3, 1933, 108-128.
  • <S3> (No record type): Martin, E.A.. Martin E A, Fenland Project: Suffolk, draft ms.
  • <R3> (No record type): Fox Sir C, The Archaeology of Cambridge Region, 1923, 209 & 223.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Sep 28 1993 12:00AM

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