Evaluation at Land at Hessett, Suffolk

An archaeological evaluation, comprising six trenches measuring 30m long by 1.8m wide in plan, were excavated within the confines of the 12m wide easement. Provision was made for a trenching contingency of up to 0.5%, to enable further clarification of areas of archaeology defined during the evaluation, if required. The trenches were excavated by a 360� tracked 14-tonne excavator, fitted with a toothless ditching bucket to the top of the natural substrate. The trenches did not exceed 1m in depth and both ends were ramped to a 45p angle. A 1m sondage was excavated in the northern end of Trench 1 and the northeastern end of Trench 6 to ensure confidence in the geological horizon, which were subsequently backfilled due to its instability caused by the site geology. All intrusive works were supervised by a suitably experienced archaeologist. Metal detector searches were undertaken at all stages of the evaluation by a suitably experienced and qualified detectorist (Heidi Archer MCIfA). Metal detecting was carried out before the trenches were stripped, where possible, with trench bases and spoil bunds scanned once trenches were opened. Archaeological deposits and features were recorded according to accepted professional standards. Sufficient data was recorded to allow for a full characterisation of contexts and their relationships to be made and allow for future studies to query and compare the dataset with confidence. Archaeological contexts were recorded and numbered individually on pro-forma context sheets with all relevant data such as drawings, photographic images, finds, environmental samples, height values and any other information cross-referenced. A further, more general record of the work comprising descriptions and discussions of the archaeology was maintained as appropriate. A complete digital photographic record of the work was kept. All images were taken using a camera with a suitable megapixel resolution. The photographic record is regarded as part of the site archive and digital files will be appropriately filed, saved, labelled and cross-referenced in relation to a site-specific photography register. A relatively consistent stratigraphic sequence was recorded across the 6 trenches. The natural substrate comprised compact, mottled white and light yellow, chalk, which was encountered at a depth of 0.6mbgl and taken to be a variation within the superficial Lowestoft Formation diamicton deposits found across the Site. The natural substrate was overlain by 0.24m - 0.35m of moderately compact, mid greyish brown, silty sand topsoil. Some variation to the geology was noted in Trench 1, attributed to natural variations in the loose, poorly sorted nature of the Lowestoft Formation deposits. There was little to no variation of the topsoil across the Site. Two linear ditches were recorded in the base of Trench 4. Both features were post-medieval in date; yielding post-medieval pottery and ceramic building material. The features were of limited interpretative value due to the overall sterile nature of the fills. Neither feature was considered to hold archaeological significance. Overall, the works did not record any archaeologically significant features or deposits and Dalcour Maclaren do not make any recommendations for further mitigation or reporting.