East Chisenbury Midden 2015−17: further investigations of the late prehistoric midden deposits, enclosure and associated settlement

After a gap of almost two decades further investigations were initiated at this remarkable late prehistoric midden site, supported by Operation Nightingale/Breaking Ground Heritage. Geophysical survey clarified the extent of the broadly contemporary enclosure surrounding the midden, as well as other related features, while subsequent excavations provided new information on the midden, the enclosure and settlement. Two small trenches in the northeast half of the midden revealed a different sequence and produced far fewer finds than the 1992−3 excavations in the southwest half, demonstrating that it is not a homogeneous mound. A substantial ditch and associated bank, largely levelled by the late Roman period, may have been contemporary with or pre-dated the early development of the midden, while some 150 postholes attested to the presence of numerous roundhouses and other structures within the enclosure. Overall, a date range of c. 1000−500 cal. BC and possibly later is suggested from radiocarbon dating and pottery, the main phase of midden development perhaps later than the majority of the settlement. Furthermore, recent results of radiocarbon dating of material from the earlier excavations suggest the site sequence may continue as late as c. 400 cal. BC. Radiocarbon dating of the few human remains has also highlighted the likelihood that some were curated, the probable intervals between the dates of death and deposition ranging from a few decades to three centuries. Finds and environmental assemblages are generally consistent with those previously found, but a few sherds of scratch cordoned bowl represent a significant new discovery, as does a unique copper alloy ‘pendant’ of possible continental origin. Evidence now indicates that cattle, as well as sheep and pigs, were intensively managed and slaughtered on site, with the isotope data suggesting local origins for most of the animals, though some cattle may have been raised on pasturage further afield

An Archaeological Watching Brief at ARC Baston No. 2 Quarry, Langtoft, Lincolnshire

Between the 1st and 4lh of September 1998 a watching brief was undertaken to record archaeological remains prior to gravel extraction in an area approximately 123m by 60m SE of Outgang Road and Cross Road, Langtoft, Lincolnshire. No archaeological features were observed in plan on the machined surface, however, two linear features aligned N-S were observed in section and it was possible to trace these for a short distance since they showed up in the section of successive strips. It is impossible to relate these two features to adjacent sites given the paucity of the archaeology and the unfortunate lack of dating evidence

Further Phases of Watching Brief at ARC Baston No. 2 Quarry (TF145 135)

A second phase of overburden stripping was undertaken between the 29th October and the 4th November 1998 on an area approximately 60m x 120m and 72m x 80m. During this phase of the watching brief six features were observed, excavated and recorded. Dating evidence was recovered from the basal fil of one pit and suggests a possible Bronze Age date for its infill

Greenhouse Farm, Fen Ditton: Watching Brief monitoring at the site of new office accommodation within the Marshalls Complex.

Due to its proximity to a recently discovered Iron Age complex in the field to the northeast , a watching brief was conducted between 27-30/1/98 on the excavation of foundation loading pad sites for office accommodation. The excavation of 37 foundation pits were observed, as well as pipe trenches on the east and western sides of the building footprint and a deep cutting for a lift shaft. The deposits observed in section were very similar across the development area and no archaeological features were apparent

Late Bronze Age pottery production: evidence from a 12th–11th century cal BC settlement at Tinney's Lane, Sherborne, Dorset

Excavations at Tinney's Lane, Sherborne in 2002 uncovered extensive evidence for Late Bronze Age settlement and pottery production, dating from a short time period probably within the 12th or 11th century cal bc . Well-preserved deposits of burnt stone, broken vessels, and burnt sherds, together with resulting debris redeposited in associated pits, were accompanied by a series of post-hole structures interpreted as round-houses and four-post settings. Environmental evidence in the form of charcoal, charred plant remains, and molluscs has provided important information concerning sources of fuel and water for pottery production as well as allowing a reconstruction of the local vegetation. Finds of fired clay, metal, stone, shale, flint, and bone include items from distant sources, informing topics such as site status and exchange, and include many categories of tools and equipment that would have been used within the pottery-making processes. Analysis of the spatial distribution of these finds amongst the structures and surviving layers of burning has allowed the definition of a series of industrial activity areas, each comprising one or more round-houses, a four-post structure, bonfire bases or pits used for firing, and other pits with specific related functions. Altogether the site has provided some of the best evidence for pottery production within prehistoric Britain