Monument record FEX 329 - Candlet Road, Cowpasture Farm, Felixstowe

2015: A detailed gradiometry survey identified linear features of probably archaeological origin, as well as a number of possible former pits, though these may also be natural in origin. A number of linear anomalies are unknown (S1).

2016: Archaeological evaluation confirmed the presence of archaeological remains within the site, dating from the Early to Middle Bronze Age to the modern period, with the main concentrations dating predominantly to the Late Iron Age/Romano-British period. The Early to Middle Bronze activity comprised the terminus of a small curvilinear ditch that contained sherds of pottery and several charred grains of hulled wheat. Later prehistoric activity comprised a small pit containing a sizeable quantity of Early Iron Age pottery sherds and a dark, charcoal-rich layer containing pottery along the site's eastern boundary. The Late Iron Age/Romano-British remains, which were largely focussed on the low gravel ridge in the centre of the site and along its southern flank, are probably the remains of a small farming settlement, predominantly dating to the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. A medieval ditch at the southern edge of the site may have been associated with a former Benedictine priory. The presence of palaeochannels bordering the streams was clearly established (S3).

Archaeological excavation was carried out north of Candlet Road, Felixstowe, following on from geophysical survey and trial trenching. The two excavation areas revealed dense archaeological, primarily Iron Age to Roman period, remains in the north half of the site, decreasing in intensity towards the south.
A small number of Neolithic to Bronze Age pits were identified, including an isolated cremation burial pit dating to the Middle Bronze Age. Early to Middle Iron Age gullies and pits demonstrate an increase in activity, which subsequently intensified in the Roman period with numerous gullies, ditches, ditched enclosures, a possible structure, and pits being recorded. A series of enclosures and partially enclosed spaces spanning the Early/Middle Roman periods allude to various phases of agricultural/pastoral land use across the site. Although no definitive evidence for domestic structural remains were encountered, the recovery of large amounts of domestic pottery, daub associated with a probable oven, butchered animal remains and mill-stones for crop processing, alongside evidence for quarrying of sand and gravel, would suggest a rural settlement such as a farmstead nearby during the Iron Age and Roman periods. The site produced no evidence for land use from the 4th to 11th centuries when a co-axial field system was implemented, demonstrating its further use as an agricultural/pastoral landscape into the medieval period. Differently aligned ditches were excavated in the post-medieval period, which correspond to field boundaries and trackways present on Ordnance Survey maps, showing that the site has retained its arable nature up until the modern day.
Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2022 (S4)

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2017 (S2).