SWX8525 - Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Phase 5 - 1996

This report covers work completed in Fields E and P during the period November 1995 up until the end of 1996. This included fieldwalking prior to topsoil removal in Field E, a subsoil search for finds and excavation of subsoil features. Metal detector surveys were conducted at surface, subsoil and re-instated topsoil levels. Excavated features and artefact evidence supported the following sequence of activity in these fields. Mesolithic (6000-4000 BC) Pit-like features and large numbers of flints were concentrated at the eastern edge of Field P. Preliminary examination of the assemblage suggests a ‘flint knapping’ area. The sub-site is of importance as, in general, Mesolithic sites are very rare. Work is continuing in this area in 1997 and the results will be presented in the Phase 6 Report in 1998. In addition, small results will be presented in the Phase 6 Report in 1998. In addition, small amounts of worked flint of this period were collected from both fields. Bronze Age (2000-800 BC) Two discrete areas of late Bronze Age activity were located in Field E: In the north, a small urnfield or cremation cemetery, consisted of various pits and a ditch complex which was closely associated with a large circular structure. One hundred metres to the south, there was evidence for domestic activity in the form of refuse pits, post holes and remains of a possible hut circle. Small amounts of Bronze Age pottery were collected from subsoil searches of both fields. Large quantities of worked flint in the form of tools and waste were found all over the site, at plough level, subsoil level and in features. Burnt flint was abundant and numbers of pits filled with this material were noted. Part of a bronze axe head was retrieved from Field P. Iron Age and Roman Period (800 BC-AD 400) A cluster of Iron Age pits was located at the western edge of Field P. Numbers of ditches in both fields, likely to have been field boundaries were noted. Charcoal-filled pits continued to be a dominant archaeological feature; 127 in total were investigated during the year. These randomly distributed features seem likely to have had an industrial use. Two coins of this period were retrieved: a Durotrigian stater and a sestertius of Trajan. The largest concentrations of both Iron Age and Roman Pottery were found in the south of Field E in the vicinity of the coin find spots. Medieval Period (AD 1066-1500) As in previous years, pottery and metal finds were scarce and there were no features of this date. Post-Medieval Period (AD 1500 – to date) The Post-Medieval ditch which had been plotted in Field C in 1995, was found to continue into Field P. A pair of ditches which pre-dated the modern hedge line which divided Fields E and P. A further pair of ditches in Field E may delineate an 18th century northern extension of the field. Generally, both subsoil and metal detection collections were lower than in previous years, perhaps implying long periods of pasture for these fields.