Monument record FLN 088 - OUTLINE RECORD: Prehistoric settlement at FLIXTON PARK QUARRY (PHASE 15) - MON

2009: During 2009 a further 0.5ha was stripped in the area of School Wood. With the exception of the continuation of two ditches known from estate and early Ordnance Survey maps, all of the datable features were prehistoric. The earliest features were three Neolithic pits with significant quantities of both worked flint (including a leaf-shaped arrowhead).and ceramics in their fills. Although undated through artefactual evidence, a circular monumental structure 12m diameter and consisting at least sixteen alternating large and small post-holes, with an entrance to the S.E. and another possible entrance to the N.W., is also likely to be Neolithic in date. A circular pit (1.2m in diameter and.0.7m deep) in the centre of the circle contained an unurned cremation deposit at its base and evidence in the section that the feature may have contained a large wooden post.
Three other concentrations of features were given a provisional Bronze Age or earlier Iron Age date. One comprised an arc of post-holes forming two thirds of a 8m diameter circle with a further two post-holes central to the break in the circle. The area enclosed by the circle contained a series of pits with significant quantities of ceramic finds in their fill, including substantially complete vessels. The second feature group included a series of small pits and two curving lines of post-holes defining a rectangular area of 5.3m by 5.9m, open at each end with bowed sides. A third concentration of post-holes defined a series of at least four four-post structures of which two clearly overlapped and represented a succession of similar structures within a tightly defined area.
A line of paired post-holes running from N.W. to S.E. across the site clearly represented a fence-line which, from the inclusion of a single large piece of roof-tile in one of the fills, was thought to be post-medieval in date, probably relating to one of the phases of landscape management associated with the parklands surrounding Flixton Hall. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2009 (S1).

2010: A further 0.8 ha was stripped of its topsoil, completing the area known as School Wood. With the exception of ditches and post-holes marking boundaries and a previous route of the Flixton to Homersfield road, all known from estate and early Ordnance Survey maps, the remaining datable features were prehistoric. The earliest activity recorded related to a monumental structure of Early Bronze Age date (Fig. 7). Initially identified on the S edge of the 2009 strip, the structure was thought to be another ring-ditch similar to the dozen or so already excavated at Flixton. However, manual cleaning revealed a far more complex and composite structure clearly exhibiting a phased development, although its primary function as a funerary monument was evidenced by the presence of a central burial.
The earliest phase of the monument comprised a circle of thirteen post-holes with a diameter of 13.5m. Four of the post-holes, two to the E and two to the W of the circle, were paired. The second phase of the monument comprised six curving ditch segments, all 1m wide and 0.7m deep, together forming a 16m-diameter circle with opposing butt-ends. One of the post-holes was clearly truncated by one of the second phase ditch segments. All of the ditch segments included a large quantity of flint cobbles in their central fill component, as many as 400 pieces in one 1m-wide section. This was considered to be evidence that the early phases of the monument probably included a cairn, ring-cairn (curbing) or a central mound covered with a layer of these stones. The third phase followed the almost total filling, either by natural accretion or deliberate backfilling, of the second phase ditches and comprised a continuous ring-ditch with a diameter of 20m. The ditch would have been in excess of 1.5m wide with a depth of 1.2m. The fourth and final phase, which followed the almost total filling of the second phase ditch, comprised another six curving ditch segments with opposing butt-ends, all 2m wide and 1.2m deep, and forming a circle with a diameter of 23m. The central grave pit was oval in shape, measuring 3.8m from NW to SE and 3.2m from NE to SW. On excavation, the 2.2m-deep grave-pit was found to have a single crouched inhumation burial within a chamber or, more likely, a hollowed out log. Associated with the burial were a number of grave goods: a stone wristguard, two amber toggles and a highly decorated beaker.
A second phase of prehistoric activity was interpreted as the continuation of an area of later Bronze Age or earlier Iron Age occupation already identified to the N. In addition to a group of pits, with a few more isolated examples, there was significant structural evidence. Immediately to the W of and respecting the earlier circular monument, were a series of three four-post structures and two six-post structures. Further to the W there were three circular buildings of a type first clearly recognised in 2009 in the adjacent area immediately to the N. The structures were all 7m in diameter and defined by an arc of seven post-holes on their W sides with a four- or six-post porch-like structure to the ESE. There was always a significantly sized gap between the porch and the flanking post-holes, a groundplan which may represent a local variation, as no parallels have yet been recognised elsewhere. The finds assemblage was dominated by pottery and fired clay with pieces of cylindrical loomweight particularly well represented. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2010 (S2). Full report to follow.