Land at Marske by the Sea, Redcar and Cleveland: An Archaeological Evaluation Report

The archaeological investigation proposed 61 trenches (Trenches 1-61), sited to define the areas of archaeological activity identified during an earlier geophysical survey (ASDU 2023) and areas where no anomalies were detected. All the proposed trenches and an additional two trenches, Trenches 62 and 63, were opened. Three broad phases of activity were encountered: Phase 1: Superficial geology; Phase 2: Undated Archaeological Activity; Phase 3: post-medieval/ modern Activity. Although establishing a chronological sequence to the remains was within the objectives of the work it was also possible to conclude that there were a number of stratigraphic sub-phases within Phase 2. The phasing is currently based on the stratigraphic assessment and not upon material dating evidence from ceramics or otherwise. A number of archaeological features (Phase 2) were revealed during the investigations, and these included as yet undated linear features, discrete pits and postholes and an inhumation burial, largely observed cutting from a horizon at the top of the natural geological substratum. There was evidence that some of the linear features had been recut. They more than likely represented the archaeological remains of the ditched enclosures and other features associated with a complex linear farmstead of presumably Iron Age/ Roman date. Post-medieval/ modern furrows and field drains were also identified. The positive trenches were dispersed across the proposed development area with a slight concentration toward the north and northwest