Monument record THB 021 - Medieval features and an undated ditch at Theberton Hall Farm reservoir

2010: trenched evaluation revealed a number of features two of which, a ditch and a possible posthole, contained small amounts of medieval pottery (S1).

An archaeological excavation was carried out following the results of the evaluation in advance of the construction of a new farm reservoir. The initial strip uncovered a medieval enclosure with a palisaded rectilinear ditch, encompassing suspected medieval buildings which appeared to relate to several other probable strcutres sited southwest of the palisaded enclosure. There was a further, larger, medieval enclosure encompassing these features. An E-W orientated medieval probable field system was noted entering the site from the western edge which predated the larger enclosure. The excavation area was extended to the southwest and encountered a small number of narrow ditches/gullies on a different alignment to the medieval field system and it is possible they relate to an Early Anglo-Saxon phase of occupation. A small area southwest of the excavation was subject to a watching brief which revealed pits containing Early Anglo-Saxon pottery, and two ditches likely related to the Early Anglo-Saxon field system in the main excavation area. (2)

Evaluation and excavation in advance of a farm reservoir revealed at least three phases of field system: one potentially of Early Anglo-Saxon origin, and two medieval enclosures (one palisaded), with possibly three small post-built structures. Unfortunately the palisaded enclosure ditch and the possible structures fell outside the area of excavation, so only recording in plan was possible, however they were preserved in situ. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2010 (S3).