Post-Excavation Assessment Report for Archaeological Recording at Three Bridge Mill

The Archaeological Recording comprised four parcels of land within four shape files totaling 2.42ha: C25120 (1.06ha) this area was split into two elements, north and south, due to the presence of a live sewer main service which transected that part of the Site; C25121 (0.51ha); C25122 (0.42ha); C25123 (0.43ha). The Archaeological Recording was undertaken in accordance with HS2 Technical Standard Specification for historic environment investigations and GWSI: HERDS, and with the Project Plan for Archaeological Recording at Three Bridge Mill. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance: Archaeological Excavation (CIfA 2014), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Managers' Guide (Historic England 2015). The results of the Archaeological Recording identified a probable ladder settlement with interlinked enclosures extending from west at land parcel C25120 to the eastern three parcels C25121-3, approximately 600m in length. These are all located on a gravel terrace which overlooks the Padbury Brook to the west and north. The enclosures partially exposed in C25120 included pits and ditches associated with Romano-British agricultural activity, a cremation and inhumation burial with further enclosures and a possible droveway recorded in C25121. Similar features, including a partial Romano-British enclosure, utilizing an Iron Age ditch, was recorded within C25122 with two partial Romano-British enclosures and possible evidence for settlement activity was recorded in C25123. An anthropomorphic wooden figure, of national significance and dated to the Early Roman period (43-70AD), was recovered from the terminal of the enclosure in C25122. This enclosure also contained a partial ring gully and associated postholes. By the end of the Roman period the area largely fell out of use, with a few features with pink grog tempered ware testament to the continuity of the temper tradition into the 5th century. The medieval and post-medieval period saw the land returned to an exclusively agricultural use with a ridge and furrow being used extensively across site.