Monument record CLA 079 - Land East of The Granary, Stoke Road, Clare

2013 Excavation assessment: Significant quantities of Mesolithic and Neolithic-Early Bronze Age flint were recovered from the site, largely from a layer underlying the ploughed topsoil and buried topsoil, but also frequently redeposited in later features. Only twenty-one sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered and these fragments were always residual or heavily abraded and probably redeposited. The main phase of occupation appears to date from the 12th century into the early postmedieval period. The most intensive activity was located at the street frontage, where large scale quarrying of clay and an associated late medieval/16th century kiln (producing brick and tile) were uncovered, along with four probable houses from two phases, as well as multiple boundary ditches, possible posthole structures and frequent large pits. The majority of the domestic activity and the individual pits were located along the street frontage, whilst the industrial quarrying and the kiln were in the north-west portion. An early and unusual large channel was recorded running the width of the site along the street frontage and this may represent both quarrying of river terrace deposits for the construction of Stoke Road as well as an attempt to drain this lower lying part of the excavation area, which lies within the floodplain. The finds recovered from this main period of activity include large quantities of pottery, animal bone and ceramic buildi material (CBM), as well as iron utensils and fixings, imported lava millstone fragments and over one hundred small finds. These consist mainly of coins, two medieval keys, brooches, knives, trade tokens and garment fixings. Results from the bulk samples indicate cereal processing, as well as the growing of cereals and legumes, and potentially metalworking. The most unusual feature on the site was the kiln and its associated features, which provide a rare insight into the production and dating of CBM. The kiln’s underground structure was remarkably well preserved as it was sited within the area that was only lightly ploughed. However, the preservation of the domestic elements of the site including the existence of two phases of domestic building, with their preserved backyard plots is also unusually complete. In the north-west part of the site, agricultural activity and low levels of quarrying were recorded in the form of posthole fence lines and several very deep pits. In this area 19th century quarrying on a large scale was also recorded, as well as what appeared to be mechanically formed depressions, possibly resulting from the tracks of an early steam shovel. There was scant evidence for earlier features on the site, with one candidate being a stratigraphically early ditch, although this may represent a short-lived medieval cut prior to the site’s more intensive occupation. A limited number of Roman small finds were recovered during metal-detection consisting of six coins, as well as some earlier pottery, consisting of twenty-one Roman sherds and four Late Saxon sherds (S1, S2).