Monument record MWX3558 - Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Field E, Bronze Age cremation cemetery

Small late Bronze Age urnfield dated on ceramic evidence. Site consisted of possible field or enclosure boundaries, a circular structure of indeterminate function and a cremation area.

Small late Bronze Age urnfield dated on ceramic evidence, situated on the ridge overlooking the Piddle Valley. Site consisted of possible field or enclosure boundaries, a circular structure of indeterminate function and a cremation area. The urnfield comprised a baked clay hearth together with nine pits, one containing the base of a bucket urn and another a complete hearthstone quern. Acidic soils are likely to have precluded the survival of any cremated bone . Small quantities of late Bronze Age pottery were recovered from all pits, identified as bucket and globular urns typical of the Deverel Rimbury tradition. To the north an excavated structure, possibly a mortuary enclosure, may be associated with the cemetery. A shallow circular gully with a diameter of 10.2m was also excavated with internal shallow scoops and possible postholes. Two external postholes may have been part of a porch. A north-south ditch was also excavated, 1.5m wide by 0.8m deep containing late Bronze Age pottery. A second east-west ditch separated the urnfield from the structure to the south. A broken chert blade was present in the fill (1)

<1> Ladle, L, 1996, Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Phase 5 - 1996 (Unpublished document). SWX8525.

Record last edited

Jun 4 2021 3:53PM