Monument record MRM 170 - Early Neolithic to Bronze Age pits on Land South of Top Street, Martlesham - East Anglia One Area 25a

2017:The earliest archaeological remains discovered during the excavation consisted of a dispersed scatter of shallow earlier prehistoric pits, without any discernible focus. By the Late Neolithic period, some of the pits were more substantial and contained small assemblages of Grooved Ware pottery. These features may represent short-duration visits to the site, possibly associated with specific tasks or resource gathering. This low-level activity continued through the later prehistoric period. The principal result of the excavation was the investigation of a middle Anglo-Saxon to early medieval (c. AD 700–1100/1200) rural settlement or farmstead, comprising ditched enclosures, substantial fencelines, and the foundations of ten or more post-built structures. The abundance of archaeological features, which implies intensive and sustained activity, contrasts with the relatively small and utilitarian artefact assemblages. When viewed alongside the morphology of the evolving enclosure system, this might suggest that the site was primarily a farmstead, possibly with a specialized agricultural economy focused on livestock management. The northern-eastern third of the site had suffered significant modern disturbance associated with use as an RAF signal station. (S1)(S2).