What does this research mean for the field?

Excavations at Three Bridge Mill reveal a 600-meter Romano-British ladder settlement featuring agricultural enclosures, burials, and a nationally significant Early Roman anthropomorphic wooden figure dating to 43-70 AD. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This assessment aims to document and analyze archaeological features at the Three Bridge Mill site.

June 7, 2026Open Access

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

Key Points

This assessment aims to document and analyze archaeological features at the Three Bridge Mill site.
Conducted archaeological recording on four parcels of land totaling 2.42ha.
Followed HS2 Technical Standard Specification and other relevant guidelines for archaeological excavation.
Performed fieldwork encompassing the examination of features such as enclosures, pits, and burials.
Identified a probable ladder settlement and extensive Romano-British agricultural features across the site.
Recovered a nationally significant anthropomorphic wooden figure dated to the Early Roman period (43-70AD).
Noted a continuation of agricultural use into the medieval period, evidenced by ridge and furrow features.

Abstract

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.

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