012AD00817

Ditch


 
Ditch Details
Length  509 Maximum Width 46 Maximum Depth 30 Profile V-shaped
Material Culture Number of Objects 8 Number of Animal Bones 12
Environmental       

Phasing

The ditch has been phase to the Middle Saxon period, based on stratigraphic relationships. A copper alloy strap mount (undated) was found. Some burnt daub was also recovered, and this generally indicates a later date for the features in this area. However, the only diagnostic material recovered were six Roman pot sherds.

Stratigraphic Matrix Diagram

   012AD00814      012AD00816     
             
   012AD00815      012AD00817     
             
  012AD00725       012AD00530     
             
   012AD00514           
             

Discussion

This was one of two parallel ditch segments (with 012AD00815), which were the latest events in the immediate vicinity. It was not possible to define the stratigraphic relationship between the two during the excavation phase, although the sections hint at 012AD00817 being the later of the two. The fill was a dark (Munsell colour 10YR 3/2) sandy clay loam, with 10% chalk inclusions. Both daub and charcoal flecking were evident, with a sample of burnt daub being taken. ONly a few animal bones were recovered, with cattle being the most numerous species, followed by sheep/goat. Also found were single pig tibia and a partial red deer antler.

Although not physically connected, it seems likely that these ditches formed part of a funnel entrance with ditch 012AD00763 and 012AD00833), which together with enclosures 012AD00754 and 012AD00811, controlled access into the southern part of the western rectangular enclosure system.

The ditch was cut into chalk, with a flat-based V profile.

All Contexts and Associated Finds Totals

CUT  FILL VOLUME OBJECTS AN BONE DENSITY
012AD00817 012AD00816   8 12  

012AD00816 Object Totals by Period and Material

KEY_ID MATERIAL PERIOD No
012AD00816 COPPER ALLOY  
1
  DAUB
2
  FIRED CLAY  
1
  POTTERY 3-4C
3
  POTTERY 4C
1

012AD0000816 Animal Bone Totals by Species

KEY_ID SPECIES No
012AD00816 Cattle
7
  Pig
1
  Red Deer
1
  Sheep/Goat
3

Context Details

012AD00817 Sections and Notes


 
KEY_ID TYPE SHAPE L B D PROFILE NOTES
012AD00816 SLOT FILL LINEAR
509
46
30
 U-SHAPED SLOT FILL. DAUB AND CHARCOAL FLECKING. 10% CHALK INCLUSIONS < 10CMS. BONE FOUND. RUNS PARALLEL TO 814/5 BUT NO RELATIONSHIP DETERMINED.
012AD00817 SLOT CUT LINEAR
509
46
30
 U-SHAPED SLOT CUT. CUT INTO CHALK BEDROCK. RESPECTS BUTTS OF 832/3 + 762/3. NO RELATIONSHIP SEEN WITH 814/5. CUTS 874/5 724/5 + 529/30.

Objects

KEY_ID OB PERIOD MATERIAL TYPE SUB_TYPE CLASS No
012AD00816 AA 3-4C POTTERY SHERD J ROMANO-BRITISH
1
012AD00816 AB   FIRED CLAY FIRED CLAY    
1
012AD00816 AC DAUB BURNT DAUB    
3
012AD00816 AD 3-4C POTTERY SHERD OPEN? ROMANO-BRITISH
1
012AD00816 AE 4C POTTERY SHERD DPR ROMANO-BRITISH
1
012AD00816 AF 3-4C POTTERY SHERD CLSD  
1
012AD00816 AG DAUB BURNT DAUB    
6
012AD00816 AH   COPPER ALLOY STRAP MOUNT?    
1

Animal Bone

KEY_ID SPECIES ELEMENT QUANT CHEW BURN BUTCH FBRK
012AD00816 Cattle Femur P 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Cattle Femur P 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Cattle Humerus P 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Cattle LM3 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Cattle Patella 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Cattle Phalanx 1 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Cattle Phalanx 3 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Pig Tibia P 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Red Deer Antler 1 0 0 1 0
012AD00816 Sheep/Goat Femur P 1 0 0 0 0
012AD00816 Sheep/Goat M/T P 1 0 0 0 1
012AD00816 Sheep/Goat Tibia P 1 0 0 0 0