Land off Lavenham Road
Land off Lavenham Road Ipswich, Suffolk Client: Ipswich Borough Council Date: July 2015 Report on Archaeological Test-pitting SACIC Report No. 2015/049 Author: M. Sommers © SACIC
HER Information Site Code
n/a
Site Name:
Land off Lavenham Road, Ipswich
Planning Application Nos:
pre-determination
Date of Fieldwork:
7th and 8th July 2015
Grid References:
TM 1435 4415
Oasis Reference:
n/a
Curatorial Officer:
n/a
Project Officer:
M. Sommers
Client/Funding Body:
Ipswich Borough Council
Prepared By:
M. Sommers
Date:
14th July 2015
Approved By:
Dr. R. Gardner
Position:
Contracts Manger
Date: Signed:
Contents Summary 1.
Introduction
5
2.
Methodology
7
3.
Results
7
4.
Discussion
9
5.
Bibliography
9
6.
Plates
10
List of Figures Figure 1. Location map (previously recorded burials in blue) Figure 2. Test-pit locations overlain on the interpretation plot from the Magnetometer Survey
6 8
List of Plates Plate 1. Plate 2. Plate 3. Plate 4.
Test-Pit 1 Test-Pit 2 (note the steel reinforcement rod in section) Test-Pit 3 showing length of scaffold pole running across base Test-Pit 4
10 10 11 11
Summary A recently undertaken magnetometer survey of an area of land off Lavenham Road, Ipswich, revealed a number of positive responses. It has been speculated that in the light of previous discoveries in the local area these responses may be due to the presence of cremation burials. In order to test this supposition a sample number of the positive responses were examined through the excavation of hand dug test-pits. A total of four pits were excavated down to the surface of the natural subsoil but no cremation burials, or any other anomalies that could be interpreted as an archaeological feature, were identified. A number of metal objects (a scaffold pole, lengths of reinforcement rod etc.) were noted within each test-pit, the presence of which are likely to be cause of the positive responses identified during the magnetometer survey. (Mark Sommers, Suffolk Archaeology CIC, for Ipswich Borough Council.).
1.
Introduction
A Detailed Magnetometer Survey of an area of land off Lavenham Road, Ipswich, was recently undertaken. The results of this survey identified a small number of possible archaeological features along with a relatively large number isolated dipolar responses. The report’s author suggests these are probably the result of the recent disposal of ferrous items within the topsoil but also highlighted the possibility that these could potentially be archaeological artefacts or intense sites of localised burning (Schofield, 2015).
The County Historic Environment Record (HER) records the findspot of a Bronze Age urned cremation burial, discovered in 1923 (HER ref. IPS017), c.160m to the northwest of the survey area. Additionally, fragments of Roman pottery and burnt bone, suggestive of a later cremation burial (HER ref. IPS034), is recorded as having been found in the garden of a house in nearby Kelly Road.
Given the proximity of the Bronze Age cremation burial, along with the possible Roman burial, the survey report’s author puts forward the possibility that the positive responses detected by the magnetometer could potentially be indicative of the presence of further cremation burials.
In order to positively ascertain the nature of the responses and to test for the presence of cremation burials it was proposed to investigate a sample number of these through the hand excavation of test-pits. To undertake this work Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company (SACIC) were commissioned by the landowner, Ipswich Borough Council.
The land lies to the southeast of Lavenham Road in Ipswich. The National Grid Reference for the approximate centre of the land is TM 1435 4415. See Figure 1 for a location plan.
At the time of the test-pitting exercise the area comprised an open area of recently mown grass.
5
Norfolk
SUFFOLK
Essex
0
25km
N
Crown Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Suffolk County Council Licence No. 100023395 2015
Figure 1. Location map (previously recorded burials in blue)
6
2.
Methodology
The test-pits were hand dug using shovels and, due to the extremely hard nature of the ground, pick-axes. Each pit was 1m square and located centrally over the geophysical response to be sampled. Excavation continued until the natural subsoil was reached, the surface of which was then cleaned and examined for cut features. Each test-pit was then photographically recorded before being backfilled.
The locations of recorded responses were established using highly accurate GPS equipment (Leica GS08) using data extracted from the initial survey report.
3.
Results
A total of four test-pits were excavated to sample a random spread of the Isolated Dipolar Responses recorded by the magnetometer survey. Figure 2 is a reproduction of Figure 5: Interpretation Plot of Magnetometer Anomalies, from the survey report. The isolated dipolar responses are depicted as yellow dots and the four test-pit locations with black crosses, identified as TP1 to TP4.
The natural subsoil comprised of either yellow clay (TP1) or a yellow, dense, sandy silt (TP2 and TP4), which lay at depths of between 0.3m to 0.35m. Excavation of TP3 was stopped after encountering a short length of what was probably a scaffolding pole at a depth of 0.15m, which was undoubtedly the origin of the dipolar response.
No cremation burials, or any other anomaly that could be interpreted as an archaeological feature or deposit, were noted in any of the excavated test-pits. In TP1 and TP3 lengths of steel reinforcement rod were noted and in TP4 a large iron nail was present. These items are highly likely to be the sources of the dipolar responses. Throughout the excavation of the test pits numerous fragments of brick rubble and concrete that extended down to the depth of the natural subsoil were also noted.
7
Figure 2. Test-pit locations overlain on the interpretation plot from the Magnetometer survey
8
4.
Discussion
No cremation burials or any other features, deposits or pre-modern artefacts were identified in any of the excavated test-pits. Within each test-pit an item of ferrous metal was discovered which were highly likely to have been the sources of the dipolar responses recorded during the magnetometer survey.
Modern building debris in the form of brick and concrete rubble, reinforcement rods and a scaffold pole, which extended the full thickness of the topsoil, were recorded in the test-pits. This would suggest that this area of open land was probably used for accommodation/site offices and storage during the construction of the modern housing estate that lies to the south and west (built during the 1980s). Given the likelihood of the area having been used as a builder’s compound the remainder of the dipolar responses are probably the result of similar ferrous debris.
5.
Bibliography
Schofield, T. 2015, Lavenham Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, Detailed Magnetometer Survey Britannia Archaeology Report No. 1094
9
6.
Plates
Plate 1. Test-Pit 1
Plate 2. Test-Pit 2 (note the steel reinforcement rod in section)
10
Plate 3. Test-Pit 3 showing length of scaffold pole running across base
Plate 4. Test-Pit 4
11
Suffolk Archaeology CIC Unit 5 | Plot 11 | Maitland Road | Lion Barn Industrial Estate Needham Market | Suffolk | IP6 8NZ [email protected] 01449 900120 www.suffolkarchaeology.co.uk
HER Information Site Code
n/a
Site Name:
Land off Lavenham Road, Ipswich
Planning Application Nos:
pre-determination
Date of Fieldwork:
7th and 8th July 2015
Grid References:
TM 1435 4415
Oasis Reference:
n/a
Curatorial Officer:
n/a
Project Officer:
M. Sommers
Client/Funding Body:
Ipswich Borough Council
Prepared By:
M. Sommers
Date:
14th July 2015
Approved By:
Dr. R. Gardner
Position:
Contracts Manger
Date: Signed:
Contents Summary 1.
Introduction
5
2.
Methodology
7
3.
Results
7
4.
Discussion
9
5.
Bibliography
9
6.
Plates
10
List of Figures Figure 1. Location map (previously recorded burials in blue) Figure 2. Test-pit locations overlain on the interpretation plot from the Magnetometer Survey
6 8
List of Plates Plate 1. Plate 2. Plate 3. Plate 4.
Test-Pit 1 Test-Pit 2 (note the steel reinforcement rod in section) Test-Pit 3 showing length of scaffold pole running across base Test-Pit 4
10 10 11 11
Summary A recently undertaken magnetometer survey of an area of land off Lavenham Road, Ipswich, revealed a number of positive responses. It has been speculated that in the light of previous discoveries in the local area these responses may be due to the presence of cremation burials. In order to test this supposition a sample number of the positive responses were examined through the excavation of hand dug test-pits. A total of four pits were excavated down to the surface of the natural subsoil but no cremation burials, or any other anomalies that could be interpreted as an archaeological feature, were identified. A number of metal objects (a scaffold pole, lengths of reinforcement rod etc.) were noted within each test-pit, the presence of which are likely to be cause of the positive responses identified during the magnetometer survey. (Mark Sommers, Suffolk Archaeology CIC, for Ipswich Borough Council.).
1.
Introduction
A Detailed Magnetometer Survey of an area of land off Lavenham Road, Ipswich, was recently undertaken. The results of this survey identified a small number of possible archaeological features along with a relatively large number isolated dipolar responses. The report’s author suggests these are probably the result of the recent disposal of ferrous items within the topsoil but also highlighted the possibility that these could potentially be archaeological artefacts or intense sites of localised burning (Schofield, 2015).
The County Historic Environment Record (HER) records the findspot of a Bronze Age urned cremation burial, discovered in 1923 (HER ref. IPS017), c.160m to the northwest of the survey area. Additionally, fragments of Roman pottery and burnt bone, suggestive of a later cremation burial (HER ref. IPS034), is recorded as having been found in the garden of a house in nearby Kelly Road.
Given the proximity of the Bronze Age cremation burial, along with the possible Roman burial, the survey report’s author puts forward the possibility that the positive responses detected by the magnetometer could potentially be indicative of the presence of further cremation burials.
In order to positively ascertain the nature of the responses and to test for the presence of cremation burials it was proposed to investigate a sample number of these through the hand excavation of test-pits. To undertake this work Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company (SACIC) were commissioned by the landowner, Ipswich Borough Council.
The land lies to the southeast of Lavenham Road in Ipswich. The National Grid Reference for the approximate centre of the land is TM 1435 4415. See Figure 1 for a location plan.
At the time of the test-pitting exercise the area comprised an open area of recently mown grass.
5
Norfolk
SUFFOLK
Essex
0
25km
N
Crown Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Suffolk County Council Licence No. 100023395 2015
Figure 1. Location map (previously recorded burials in blue)
6
2.
Methodology
The test-pits were hand dug using shovels and, due to the extremely hard nature of the ground, pick-axes. Each pit was 1m square and located centrally over the geophysical response to be sampled. Excavation continued until the natural subsoil was reached, the surface of which was then cleaned and examined for cut features. Each test-pit was then photographically recorded before being backfilled.
The locations of recorded responses were established using highly accurate GPS equipment (Leica GS08) using data extracted from the initial survey report.
3.
Results
A total of four test-pits were excavated to sample a random spread of the Isolated Dipolar Responses recorded by the magnetometer survey. Figure 2 is a reproduction of Figure 5: Interpretation Plot of Magnetometer Anomalies, from the survey report. The isolated dipolar responses are depicted as yellow dots and the four test-pit locations with black crosses, identified as TP1 to TP4.
The natural subsoil comprised of either yellow clay (TP1) or a yellow, dense, sandy silt (TP2 and TP4), which lay at depths of between 0.3m to 0.35m. Excavation of TP3 was stopped after encountering a short length of what was probably a scaffolding pole at a depth of 0.15m, which was undoubtedly the origin of the dipolar response.
No cremation burials, or any other anomaly that could be interpreted as an archaeological feature or deposit, were noted in any of the excavated test-pits. In TP1 and TP3 lengths of steel reinforcement rod were noted and in TP4 a large iron nail was present. These items are highly likely to be the sources of the dipolar responses. Throughout the excavation of the test pits numerous fragments of brick rubble and concrete that extended down to the depth of the natural subsoil were also noted.
7
Figure 2. Test-pit locations overlain on the interpretation plot from the Magnetometer survey
8
4.
Discussion
No cremation burials or any other features, deposits or pre-modern artefacts were identified in any of the excavated test-pits. Within each test-pit an item of ferrous metal was discovered which were highly likely to have been the sources of the dipolar responses recorded during the magnetometer survey.
Modern building debris in the form of brick and concrete rubble, reinforcement rods and a scaffold pole, which extended the full thickness of the topsoil, were recorded in the test-pits. This would suggest that this area of open land was probably used for accommodation/site offices and storage during the construction of the modern housing estate that lies to the south and west (built during the 1980s). Given the likelihood of the area having been used as a builder’s compound the remainder of the dipolar responses are probably the result of similar ferrous debris.
5.
Bibliography
Schofield, T. 2015, Lavenham Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, Detailed Magnetometer Survey Britannia Archaeology Report No. 1094
9
6.
Plates
Plate 1. Test-Pit 1
Plate 2. Test-Pit 2 (note the steel reinforcement rod in section)
10
Plate 3. Test-Pit 3 showing length of scaffold pole running across base
Plate 4. Test-Pit 4
11
Suffolk Archaeology CIC Unit 5 | Plot 11 | Maitland Road | Lion Barn Industrial Estate Needham Market | Suffolk | IP6 8NZ [email protected] 01449 900120 www.suffolkarchaeology.co.uk
