NHER 68293 (Monument record) - Undated pits, ditches and other remains

January-February 2019. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of area to be affected by proposed junction improvements and associated highway works (Area B; Trenches 12 and 14-15).
The northernmost of the three trenches excavated in this part of the site revealed a notable concentration of linear and discrete features, although unfortunately finds were limited to a small number of prehistoric worked flints recovered during initial cleaning. The majority of the pits did however contains similar deposits of black silt suggesting that they may well have been at least broadly contemporary. Dark, blackened sandy silts were also present within a linear ditch-like features and a large adjacent shallow hollow with steep parallel sides and a fairy flat base. It is tentatively suggested that these features might represent the remains of at least one Saxon grubenhauser (sunken-featured building), although the lack of artefactual material would appear to be at odds with this interpretation.
The only features identified in the other two trenches were a pair of adjacent north-west to south-east aligned ditches. These ditches also produced no finds and are therefore undated, although there is no evidence to suggest there were associated with former post-medieval or modern field boundaries.
A relatively thick subsoil deposit was present in all of the trenches.
Unstratified finds included a handmade pottery sherd of either prehistoric or Early Saxon date, a Late Saxon openwork strap end and two fragments of lead waste.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 26 April 2024.