Monument record SPT 065 - Prehistoric Ring ditch, Iron Age enclosure ditch and undated ditches on Land off Burstall Lane, Sproughton (WYAS) GEO

A geophysical (magnetometer) survey, was undertaken on 21.91 hectares of land located to the north of Burstall Lane, Sproughton. Several anomalies of possible archaeological origin have been detected within the survey area, which consist of two weak linear features that form a fragmented enclosure. Agricultural trends can be seen throughout the survey area in the form of former field boundaries, modern trackways, and footpaths. Low magnitude magnetic responses across the Site indicate variable geology resulting from the topography.
Several service pipes and a water main that is present on utilities mapping have also been detected. Around the periphery, magnetic anomalies indicative of modern disturbance and debris has been recorded. The archaeological potential of the survey area is deemed to be moderate (S1).

Evidence for prehistoric activity was found in three areas. In the south-western part of the site, a previously recorded cropmark of a c. 25m diameter ring-ditch was exposed, confirming the presence of this feature and revealing a substantial enclosing ditch. A second ditch was exposed to the west, potentially representing an outer ditch or associated feature. In the same part of the site a pair of intercutting pits contained a fairly substantial assemblage of Early Iron Age pottery and fired clay, whilst in the eastern half of the site the corner of a probable enclosure ditch was revealed, which produced an assemblage of Middle Iron Age pottery. Across the site, a series of undated ditches were comparable to similarly aligned field systems known from cropmarks in the surrounding area. A small number of modern pits and boundary ditches were also recorded. Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2019 (S2).

Evidence for prehistoric activity was found in three areas. In the south-western part of the site, a previously recorded cropmark of a ring-ditch, with a diameter of c. 25m, was exposed in Trench 5, confirming the presence of this feature and exposing a fairly substantial ditch on both sides of the ring-ditch, although no finds were recovered. A second ditch was exposed on the western side of the ring-ditch - this may represent an outer ditch or associated feature, although it is also possible that it is associated with Iron Age activity in nearby Trench 75 as two sherds of Iron Age pottery came from its upper fill. Evidence for Iron Age activity was also revealed in two other trenches. In the south-western part of the site (Trench 75), close to the ring-ditch, a pair of intercutting pits were found associated with a fairly substantial assemblage of Early Iron Age pottery and fired clay, whilst in the eastern part of the site (Trench 45) the corner of a probable enclosure ditch was revealed, which produced an assemblage of Middle Iron Age pottery. Across the site, a series of undated ditches were exposed: these were mostly aligned broadly east-to west or north to south and are probably comparable to similarly aligned field systems known as cropmarks from the surrounding area. A small number of modern pits and boundary ditches were recorded in several trenches in the eastern part of the site. (S3)