What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the archaeological significance of Phase 2 at Broadfield Farm Quarry through trench excavation.

April 26, 2026Open Access

Broadfield Farm Quarry, Rayne, Essex, Phase 2: an archaeological evaluation

JPJ PineThames Valley Archaeological Services JHJ HargreavesThames Valley Archaeological Services

Key Points

To evaluate the archaeological significance of Phase 2 at Broadfield Farm Quarry through trench excavation.
Excavated a total of 43 trenches mechanically and under archaeological supervision.
Investigated archaeological features by hand within the trenches across two halves of the site.
Dense concentration of archaeological features, including those from the middle and late Bronze Age, and Iron Age in the western half.
Evidence of early to late Roman occupation along with a Post-medieval field system.
Less dense findings in the eastern half, featuring prehistoric pits, a late Saxon/early Medieval pit, and a Medieval ditch.

Abstract

A total of 43 trenches were excavated mechanically under archaeological supervision and archaeological features investigated by hand. The trenches in the western half of the Phase 2 area contained a dense concentration of archaeological features some dating to the Prehistoric period; more specifically the middle and late Bronze Age, middle to late Iron Age. Evidence of early and possibly late Roman occupation was also recorded together with a Post-medieval field system. The eastern half of the field was less densely occupied but prehistoric or Iron Age pits were located in some of the trenches, one pit of late Saxon/early Medieval date and a ditch of Medieval date.

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