Monument record FRT 063 - Early Neolithic enclosure and features at Freston Causewayed Enclosure

Geophysical Survey identified the ditches forming the causewayed enclosure as well as a the corner of an enclosure and a number of other geophysical anomolies. Magnetic and resistance surveys undertaken in the southeastern quadrant of the enclosure by CA have recorded a variety of anomalies, including the intermittent ditches identified on the air photographic survey as well as large and small pits, ditches, a potential structure and anomalies of a geological origin previously un-prospected.(S1).

Research excavation over 6 weeks within the SE quadrant of the interrupted ditch system (FRT 005) was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council – Insight Development Grant (Canada) and a Prehistoric Society Research Grant (UK). The aim of the project is to date the scheduled monument, characterise its use and help update Historic England’s management plan. The 2021 season reopened and slightly expanded E the trench stripped in 2019, with 12 anthropogenic features excavated, targeting the 2 outer ditch termini, plus a segment of the palisade that runs between the 2 ditch systems. The outer circuit again produced quantities of Mildenhall Ware pottery (including 1 burnt foundation deposit), and diagnostic Early Neolithic stone tools, albeit in far smaller relative quantities to that recovered from the inner ditches. Early Bronze Age pottery and stone tools of the Beaker culture were retrieved from 1 uppermost ditch fill. The central spring was cored for environmental data, with organic samples sent for radiocarbon dating (S2).

Research excavation over six weeks within the south-east quadrant of the interrupted ditch system (FRT 005). The aim of the project is to characterise and date the scheduled monument. The geophysical survey (Cotswold Archaeology) integrated reconnaissance fluxgate gradiometry with earth resistance meter techniques, mapping a series of anomalies, including the concentric ditch segments, an unrelated 70m curvilinear ditch, plus a series of circular features that are likely both archaeological and geological in nature. A 10 × 35m trench was mechanically stripped to expose termini of four of the enclosure ditches. Fourteen anthropogenic and natural features were recorded in plan, with manual excavation targeting the two inner ditch termini and five pits. The presence of significant quantities of Mildenhall Ware pottery, and stone tools that included leaf-shaped points, indicated clearly that the site is indeed an Early Neolithic causewayed enclosure. One Early Chalcolithic barbed and tanged arrowhead came from an uppermost silted ditch fill. Archaeobotanical remains include cereals and hazelnuts, plus a range of hardwood fuel, not least oak and hazel (S3).