Monument record WFL 018 - Early Medieval pits at The Priory, Little Waldingfield

Archaeological monitoring and documentary survey was carried out in advance of the construction of a new pool room at The Priory, Little Waldingfield. The site is recorded on the SMR as a possible monastic site, however the documentary study established that the name ‘The Priory’ had only been assigned to the property in the late 19th century and a site visit established that the supposedly medieval vaulted roof of the cellar was probably no earlier than 16th century. The documentary study identified that the property was owned by a wealthy merchant in the early 16th century, and that he may have been responsible for the fine building work. The field work covered a very small area c.25m square, at least half of which was truncated. However Early Medieval features were found surviving in undisturbed areas, indicating occupation of the site pre-dating any of the documentary or physical evidence (S1).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2005 (S2).