Monument record CAC 020 - Beccles Road; Carlton Park - Area 3

August 1998: Evaluation (see CAC 017) of part of extensive proposed building site located series of Preh postholes (from building?) associated with 'IA' pottery. Details to follow (S1).
August 1999: Partial excavation at area of Preh pits and postholes included hoard of three flint axes, two very large - details in (S2).

In September 1998, a programme of field evaluation took place over c.14 hectares of arable land earmarked for development. This trial trenching had identified various features of prehistoric and medieval date, largely concentrated in the area along the roadside to the northern edge of the site. These areas were to be sampled by excavation in order to assess the level of prehistoric activity suggested by the evaluation evidence.
Two small excavation areas were opened along the roadside in August 1999. The first contained various ephemeral small pits or post-holes, none of which contained any datable finds. The second area revealed a similar scatter of dubious looking features, one of which contained three sherds of flint-tempered Iron Age pottery. Towards the western extent of this area, an amorphous feature contained what appears to be an intentional deposit of three Neolithic flint axe heads, two of which were exceptionally large, measuring c.30cm in length. These were all in different stages of completion, the largest and smallest axes having been partially polished. (A more detailed report on these axes is being prepared for publication). Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 1999 (S3).