Monument record TDM 035 - Medieval agricultural and settlement activity at East Anglia One Area 13

2017: Site 13 A - Excavations on the site chiefly revealed evidence of medieval pastoral agricultural and domestic activity, and post-medieval field boundaries. The medieval remains consisted of three phases of agricultural and domestic activity dating from the 11th to 13th century. The first phase comprised two ridge-and-furrow field systems. The second phase superseded the field systems with a large rectangular livestock enclosure and associated drove way. The third phase comprised the remains of a linear settlement composed of at least eight tenements – built-up plots which combined agricultural and domestic occupation – four of which were within the excavated area. Two domestic ovens and several cess and refuse pits were associated with this phase of occupation. Documentary research shows that the settlement was part of the Bartholmewes estate, the manor house being c 250m to the northeast of Site 13A. The settlement was abandoned during the 13th century, but the central trackway remained in use into the post-medieval period (S2).


Site 13B -The excavations at site 13B revealed evidence for activity dating from the Neolithic to the post-medieval period, however the one diagnostic Neolithic flint was found residually. The excavations at Site 13B did reveal significant evidence of settlement and agricultural activity during the high medieval period. The stratigraphic record and environmental and faunal remains suggest both pastoral and arable farming regimes were taking place at Site 13B during the medieval period.
Evidence of occupation during the high medieval period found on Site 13B and appears to relate to similar activity recorded on Site 13A to the north. Documentary research shows that the medieval archaeological features from Sites 13A and 13B all lie within the Bartholmewes estate, the manor house being c 250m to the northeast of Site 13B. On Site 13B, rare evidence of medieval arable activity was recorded, which may constitute an example of the ‘stetch’ ploughing method, thought to be commonplace in East Anglia during the medieval period.
The presence of a 12th–13th- century ditch appears to be a boundary or enclosure ditch, separating occupation on the west side of the ditch from agricultural land on the east side. The associated pits on the west side of the ditch would suggest that a messuage or ‘toft’ – a built-up tenement with house and yard – presumably rented to families working on the Bartholmewes estate, was established to the west of Site 13B during this time. Later in the 13th century the ditch was re-established by a wider and deeper recut. A mixture of burnt debris, food waste and building material, within the ditch fills and a number of pits suggest settlement activity continued to within the enclosed space. No evidence was found to indicate that the occupation continued beyond the 14th century (S3).

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