Land North of Church Lane Barham, Suffolk: An Archaeological Excavation

The investigation consisted of the excavation of two areas, 1.8ha in total extent, that investigated archaeological remains identified by the evaluation: Area 1 (0.75ha), Trenches 105-109 and 116; Area 2 (1.05ha), Trenches 80, 81, 83-86, 92 and 93 (Fig. 2 & Plates 1- 5). The excavation identified four phases of activity. The earliest phase (Phase 1) is represented by just two struck flints of probable Neolithic date found as residual artefacts in later features. Phase 2 is represented by a cluster of six small pits of Late Bronze Age date. The pits contained assemblages of struck flints, burnt stones and pottery sherds. The nature of activity represented by the pits remains unclear but domestic occupation cannot be discounted. Clearly flint knapping was occurring here and the presence of unworked burnt flint in the pits represents pyrotechnic activities, possibly associated with cooking or craft practices. Features assigned to Phase 3 include a single ditch and three short linear slots dating to the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period. The ditch probably served as a field boundary and is likely to be associated with Iron Age and Roman settlement activity recorded during prior excavations on the higher ground to the north of the site and around St Mary's and St Peter's church to the east. Phase 4 comprises ditches forming part of a wider field system of post-medieval date. The ditches are not shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1883 and must have been infilled by this date. This phase also includes a pair of parallel ditches which probably served as trackside ditches. However, dating of these ditches is based on just one fragment of ceramic building material and it remains possible that this artefact is intrusive and that the ditches could feasibly be earlier.