Monument record MLI20191 - Early Saxon settlement, Leaves Lake Drove
Summary
Early Saxon settlement, Leaves Lake Drove
Type and Period (9)
- SETTLEMENT (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- DROVE ROAD (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- DITCH (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- GULLY (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- POND (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- POST HOLE (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- STRUCTURE (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- DRAINAGE DITCH (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
- ARTEFACT SCATTER (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 649 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 20191
An early Anglo-Saxon site was found on high siltland. Two Ipswich ware sherds were found in the north of the site as well as bone and fired clay from the whole site. There were soilmarks but most of them were devoid of finds. {1}
Excavations were carried out in 1994. Intercutting shallow ditches and gullies were exposed. Interpretation of the function of these ditches was difficult given the relatively small area opened. Nevertheless, it is possible to suggest that two parallel ditches some 7m apart may have delineated a drove taking livestock down to a 15 to 20m diameter shallow pond. Within the pond one deposit in particular was artefact rich, with a domestic type assemblage represented. One possible structure was identified. It formed a shallow semi-circular gully into which two posts appeared to have been set. The structure was nearly ploughed out. Also of interest was a gully into which a complete bovine skull had been placed. Many of the other features also contained ceramic and bone finds. {2}
An excavation was carried out as part of the Fenland Management Project, revealing a series of intercutting linear and curvilinear gullies. A complete cow skull was recovered from one of these. A possible pond and a shallow semi-circular feature were also recorded. These features are thought to be drainage gullies draining into the low-lying pond. Pottery and animal bone indicate settlement in close proximity but not within the excavated area. The pottery assemblage included types previously unknown in the region, and the assemblage was of different character to nearby Anglo-Saxon sites. Environmental sampling indicated that the gullies were sub-tidal, while the pond was characteristic of high-low tidal flats. The habitat was open weedy grassland and saltmarsh with a few trees, with alternating freshwater and brackish conditions and the site was in a marginal location. Sparse amounts of charred cereal grain were noted, and animal remains consisted of mostly sheep/goat, with some cattle, pig, red deer and possibly chicken. {3}
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SLI1079 Bibliographic Reference: Hayes, P. P. and Lane, T. W.. 1992. The Fenland Project No.5: Lincolnshire Survey, the South-West Fens. 5 GAZ PIN 4, 5 p. 149.
- <2> SLI637 Article in Serial: LANE, T.W.. 1995. HERITAGE LINCOLNSHIRE FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. p. 27 (PIN 5).
- <3> SLI7859 Bibliographic Reference: Crowson, A.; Lane, T. and Reeve. J. (eds). 2000. Fenland Management Project Excavations 1991-1995. PIN 5 (PLL93), pp.142-146.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 1920 2514 (108m by 109m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | PINCHBECK, SOUTH HOLLAND, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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