EDO38 - 'Cairn' at Litton Cheney; excavation 1974

An earthwork enclosure, probably a henge, at Litton Cheney. By the time the site was excavated in 1974, it had suffered severely from plough damage. Some early sources mention large stones and possible stone holes, prompting speculation as to the possibility of a stone circle having stood at the site. However, any such evidence had been removed by ploughing prior to excavation. The excavation showed the main enclosure to comprise an irregular, penannular ditch of maximum diameter 35 metres, and featuring a single entrance to the south east. At the entrance, which was just 1.1 metres wide, the terminals were slightly inturned. The internal bank was estimated to have been 3-4 metres wide. Within the enclosed area, and just off-centre, was an irregular oval ditch, very shallow in depth and around 10 metres maximum diameter. Spaced deposits of flint nodules and smaller stones were interpreted as the packing of post holes, and the trench was estimated to have held 30-32 upright timbers. The excavator suggested a roofed building may have stood there, though the site has subsequently been compared to timber circles. At the centre of this small enclosure was a single post hole containing some potsherds. Some pits were also present. One contained an adult cremation, and may have held an upright timber post. This pit was subsequently cut by another which contained another adult cremation plus some collared urn sherds. Outside and southeast of the entrance was a low cairn or spread of flint nodules which both contained and covered deposits of cremated bone and of collared urn sherds. Up to 6 individuals were present.