Monument record HXN 044 - Cross Street, Hoxne

2009: Evaluation revealed two pits containing a significant amount of highly vitrified smithing waste, a large feature, interpreted as a pond, which contained medieval pottery. Three ditches and three further pits contained pottery dated to 12th-13th century. This could indicate medieval backyard activity, with boundary ditches and shallow pits which may be shallow clay quarries. 11 further ditches, 3 further pits and two possible post-holes were undated. Environmental samples from the prior evaluation indicated a significant amount of cereal processing, domestic burning and a small amount of smithing in this period.

Excavation following the Evaluation revealed 29 discrete features and 40 larger more complex features. Two groups of post-holes appeared to relate to each other. A series of medieval drainage ditches and gullies, some of which appear to be aligned parallel or perpendicular to Wittons Lane and there appeared to be three sub-phases to the development of these plots. Phase 1 consisted of features containing exclusively 11th-12th century. The second phase consited of features containing mixed dating which indicated that the had been filled up on the 12th-14th centuries. The third phase was formed of two large ditches contained 12th-14th century and a hoard of silver tudor coins (S1).

Descriptions of two of the three flint flakes are broad, dating to a specific period bracket is ill-advised. However, they may be later Prehistoric, based on details of discovery, (S2).