SDO13970 - Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Phase 12 - 2003

This report covers work completed in Fields M and Z during 2003 up until December 2003. An interim report on Field Z follows in sections 8 and 9. Field M Excavated features and finds support the following series of events. Mesolithic (10,000-4000 BC) There were no Mesolithic features in either of the fields examined. Small amounts of flint were recovered from some collection areas. Neolithic (4000-2000 BC) Although there were no Neolithic features, a proportion of the worked flint howere, can be attributed to this period. An abraded stone axe was found in the eaves drip gully of the Middle Bronze Age house in Field M. Bronze Age (2000-800 BC) A north-south ditch was located towards the eastern side of the field and a post-built house was constructed close to this field boundary. These features dated to the Middle Bronze Age. Overall, pottery was scarce, apart from in the vicinity of the house. Of note was a quern which had been deposited in a pit prior to the abandonment of the house. Late Iron Age (100 BC-AD 45) Quantities of pottery were found in Roman ditch fills; however, much of this is likely to have been residual in nature. It is possible that these later ditches were re-cuts of Late Iron Age field boundaries. Roman Period (AD 45 – 410) Linear field boundaries were investigated and pottery production activities were apparent in the extreme mid-eastern part of the field. A cluster of postholes may have been associated with agricultural activity. Post-Roman/Saxon Period (AD 410 – 1066) Two pits produced pottery dating from the 7th to the 10th centuries. One of these pits produced large amounts of burnt heathstone. There were few finds from the eighteen charcoal pits, however an iron blade of a knife was notable. Medieval Period (AD400-1500) Only five small sherds of pottery were noted, two of these were probably intrusive in a shallow ditch section, the other finds came from surface collection. Post-Medieval Period (AD1500-to date) Five ditches were broadly dated 17th – early 19th century. The function of a row of eight large postholes is not known. The burial of a partial horse skull was associated with these postholes