Monument record ERL 217 - RAF Lakenheath, Halifax Street, Eriswell

An archaeological evaluation carried out in advance of the demolition of a housing estate centered on Halifax Street, RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell demonstrated that, despite the site's recent landuse, the natural subsoil surface and elements of the original topography, together with potential archaeological horizons, were relatively intact. Evidence of past human activity prior to the 20th century however was slight across the majority of the site, particularly when compared to the multi-period sites known immediately to the north, west and south. However isolated activity in the Iron Age was identified, together with evidence of early Roman activity in two small areas. The date of the finds material suggests that this Roman activity is contemporary with activity seen at ERL 147 to the south, but earlier than the 2nd/3rd century occupation known to the west. The trenching has demonstrated that the site clearly appears to lie beyond the eastern edge of this latter site (S1).

This assessment contains the results of excavations carried out at Windsor Circle and Halifax Street, RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell. The report assesses their potential and significance, as applied to specific research questions. Both these sites have the potential to contribute to the ongoing overall studies of RAF Lakenheath. A Bronze Age cremation, as well as Iron Age and Roman field systems and settlement evidence was found on both sites. Of particular significance is the later Iron Age enclosure and field system at site ERL 213, which appears to be contemporary with the extensive pit group found at ERL 147, and offers the opportunity to help interpret the function of the pits and put them into the context of a wider Iron Age landscape. The eight post structure found at ERL 217 is a typical Roman building style, but the first of its type (and one of very few of Roman date found at RAF Lakenheath despite the otherwise extensive evidence for Roman settlement) to be found at RAF Lakenheath. The activity in this area appears to stop in the early 2nd century AD, and the evidence for the structure and enclosures from ERL 217, when examined alongside that of the neighbouring sites, ERL 089, 111, 129 and 211 has significant potential for contributing to an understanding of what this activity represents and why it stopped, when we know that Roman settlement at Caudle head flourished, until the end of the early 5th century (S2).