Monument record SKT 093 - Late Iron Age to Roman settlement at Land at Union Road

A fluxgate magnetometer survey undertakend identifying anomalies of probable and possible archaeological origin. The magnetic enhancement on the site was generally low, with anomalies of possible archaeological origin having a similar contrast to the general variation produced by differences in the soils and geology on the site. The survey identified possible multiple earthwork features enclosing an area of higher ground. Only segments of the earthworks have been covered by the survey. Within the enclosed area, one probable and one possible ring ditch have been identified measuring c. 25m in diameter. There is a further possible ring ditch of similar dimensions in the north eastern corner of the survey, immediately outside a possible entrance complex in the enclosure earthworks. A second possible enclosure has been recorded in the southern part of the site. Anomalies related to recent agricultural activity and of undetermined origin were also been identified (S1).

2019: Geophysical survey had indicated possible archaeological remains in parts of the site, including several possible ring ditches, although it was acknowledged that the magnetic enhancement on the site was generally low, with anomalies of possible archaeological origin having a similar contrast to the general variation produced by differences in the soils and geology on the site. The evaluation confirmed this consideration and demonstrated that many of the anomalies were of geological origin, although it also demonstrated that the geophysical technique had not been entirely successful as many archaeological features were encountered that were not detected by the survey. The earliest evidence for human activity within the site relates to residual finds of Mesolithic and Neolithic struck flints that were recovered from Later Prehistoric ditches adjacent to the River Rattlesden, in Area 2. These ditches probably formed stock enclosures and field boundaries on the well-drained gravels along the north bank of the river. Other features associated with these ditches included a small number of pits and postholes and a buried soil horizon. Residual sherds of Late Bronze Age-Early Iron Age pottery were also found in the area of the Late Iron Age/early Roman settlement on the higher ground c. 150m to the north, in Area 1. The Late Iron Age/Early Roman settlement, probably a small farmstead, was located on the south/southwest facing slope in the centre of Area 1. This consisted of a ditch system forming settlement and stock enclosures, parts of a field system and evidence for habitation, in the form of pits and postholes, probable waterholes and finds of pottery sherds, animal bone and burnt clay. The latter may be the remains of kilns or ovens, although none were identified by the evaluation. A single un-urned cremation was recovered from the northern edge of the site, suggesting that there may be a small burial ground in this area. (S3)

Excavation, following an earlier evaluation, recorded an extensive system of ditched boundaries of Late Iron Age to Roman date. Although the site did not contain direct evidence of occupation, there were clear indications of settlement nearby, including extensive quarry pits, deposits of domestic refuse, a small, ancillary agricultural structure, and several ovens. The site is probably on the edge of a fairly affluent or high-status settlement on the higher ground to the north-east. The associated finds assemblage includes significant metalwork objects, such as a rare Bury E type (Talbot 2017) silver coin with an apparently unique obverse die, datable to c.40 to 35 BC, a complete, but fragmentary, c.4th-century Roman pewter pedestal-based bowl, and conjoining fragments of a Crummy (1983) Type 2 round seal box with red enamel decoration. The site is on a south-facing slope down to the Rattlesden River. The foot of the slope has deep deposits of colluvium that apparently began to accumulate in the Neolithic, continuing to the medieval period (S2)