SWX8532 - Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Phase 11 - 2002

This report covers work completed in Fields T and N during 2002 and also includes an interim report on work completed in Field Z up until December 2002. Metal detector surveys were conducted at plough soil and subsoil levels. Excavated features and finds support the following sequences of events. Late Mesolithic (6000-4000 BC) There were no Mesolithic features present in either of the fields examined, although above average amounts of worked flint were retrieved from some collection areas. Neolithic (4000-2000 BC) There were no Neolithic features, but a proportion of the worked flint can be dated to this period. This included some finely worked chert from eleven collection areas in field N. Bronze Age (2000-800 BC) An Early Bronze Age ditch was located in Field T, large amounts of worked flint and sherds of Beaker pottery were removed from the fills. In both fields, ditches dating to the Middle Bronze Age denoted a species of field boundaries. There were few pit type features of this date. Of note, however, was a cluster of Late Bronze Age pits in Field T, which yielded pottery and loom weights. Large amounts of worked flint came from both features and collection areas. Burnt flint and burnt heathstone was also abundant. Late Iron Age and Roman Period (100 BC-AD 400) There were few Late Iron Age features and correspondingly few finds. Linear field boundaries of both periods were investigated. Roman industrial activity was implied by the presence of charcoal-filled pits in both fields as well as iron working areas and a potential gravel quarry in Field T. Further Roman finds included two inhumations in Field T and two cremations in Field N. Medieval Period (AD400-1500) A single pit was firmly dated to the Post-Roman period and one pit dated to the 11/12th century. Both these features were located in Field T. Post-Medieval Period (AD1500-to date) One ditch in Field N was dated to the 17/18th century.