Bures Road and Land Rear of 158 to 188, Great Cornard, Suffolk: Archaeological Excavation

The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI, for a programme of archaeological excavation and watching brief, the locations of which were informed by the results of the preceding trial-trench evaluation. Two excavation areas were opened within the site, which measured c. 0.56ha in total: " Area 1: c. 0.56ha (excavation area) " Area 2: c. 0.039ha (watching brief conditions) The excavation areas were located to investigate Mesolithic to Neolithic and Post-Medieval features recorded by the previous trial-trench evaluation. During the fieldwork the size of the excavation area was reduced (from c. 0.82ha as stated within the WSI); instead, one excavation area (1) was opened and a smaller area (2) intended for a sub-station was subjected to watching brief conditions, with the approval of James Rolfe. The excavation areas were set out, surveyed and scanned for live services by trained CA staff using CAT and Genny equipment. Overburden (comprising topsoil and subsoil deposits) was stripped from the excavation areas by a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless grading bucket. All machining was conducted under archaeological supervision to the top of the natural substrate, which was the level at which archaeological features were first encountered. Archaeological features/deposits were investigated, planned and recorded. The ordered numbering system of archaeological data continued from the previous evaluation, ensuring that no overlap existed within the data, as specified. Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential and samples were taken. The following sampling strategy was employed: " all discrete features (e.g. postholes, pits) were sampled by hand excavation (average sample typically not exceeding 50%). " all linear features (ditches etc.) were sampled to a maximum of 10% of their lengths. " All natural hollows/features were sampled by hand excavation (average sample typically not exceeding 50%, though in some instances 100% of the natural feature was excavated). " Where appropriate, feature fills (including tree-throw holes) were sieved to maximise the retrieval of artefacts, particularly those producing worked flint. Metal detector searches (non-discriminating against iron) were undertaken by an experienced metal-detectorist throughout the project. This included searches prior to overburden removal, during the machine excavation and the subsequent hand excavation phase as well as scanning the upcast spoil. Metal finds recovered which were not from hand-excavated features had their location recorded by GPS. Between March and May 2023, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological excavation of land to the rear of 158 to 188 Bures Road, Great Cornard, Suffolk. A total of 0.56ha was excavated within the site, comprising an excavation area (0.52ha) and a small watching brief area (0.039ha). The fieldwork revealed activity pertaining to the prehistoric and medieval/post-medieval periods. Pre-medieval activity comprised a number of dispersed pits which produced stratified assemblages of worked flint. Alongside the pits, numerous amorphous tree-throw holes were observed across the site which also produced worked flint, some of which was potentially stratified. The medieval/post-medieval activity comprised a series of ditches and a circular post-defined structure. No archaeological features or deposits were observed within Area 2.