Roman, medieval and post-medieval settlement at Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire

Two separate areas were excavated at Cutbush Lane, Shinfield in December 2015 and January 2016; they each contained archaeological remains of different date and character. Area 1 displayed two concentrically arranged ditched enclosures, together with limited evidence of Middle Iron Age activity. Enclosure 1 was of 'transitional' Late Iron Age and Early Roman date, and was surrounded by later Roman Enclosure 2, suggesting a possible interval of two centuries between the two phases of occupation. No structural evidence was recorded. Medieval and post-medieval features were confined to Area 2, and were represented by a close configuration of five intercutting ditches, together with a small, circular-plan structure of flint construction and traces of a post-medieval building. These features were all associated with an extensive layer of post-medieval dark soil, which was rich in finds and represented a probable midden-spread. Sixteenth- and 17th-century material, including pottery, metalwork and glass, was recorded within the fill of a wall construction cut in the southern margins of Area 2.