Monument record CLY 043 - OUTLINE RECORD - Early to late Medieval activity at East Anglia One Area 5 (EXC)

2017: Excavation revealed extensive early to late medieval remains sealed and preserved by layers of alluvium and colluvium. The earliest features comprised a series of ditches, potentially of Anglo-Saxon date. Extensive surfaces relating to a building were identified, dated to the 10th to 12th century AD. Middens containing oyster shell were thought to be associated with the building, indicating habitation. A large ditch towards the east of the site demarcated the extent of the settlement activity. Along the length of the ditch, multiple post holes were excavated indicating a boundary fence.

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2017 (S1).

The investigation revealed five periods of activity covering the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval periods. Of particular significance were the Early Neolithic and medieval remains. Sequences of likely alluviation/colluviation presented a high level of preservation in comparison to other medieval sites on the East Anglia One scheme. The Neolithic remains comprised a large assemblage of Early Neolithic lithics in association with Peterborough Ware pottery. The substantial assemblage of prehistoric flints was in good condition, and perhaps relate to activity on the river edge and around what appeared to be a hollow/inlet/palaeochannel on the edge of the floodplain of the Gipping. The medieval remains comprised a sequence of phased enclosures (11th-14th century) and the remains of two buildings likely dating to the 12th and 13th centuries, one constructed on dwarf or cob walls with clay floors surviving and associated with a kiln and hearth. A substantial medieval artefact assemblage was also recovered along with a well preserved ecofactual assemblage. Nearly a hundred kilograms medieval domestic pottery (+7000 sherds) was recovered along with iron work, and a large number of whetstones/quern stones (S2).