Monument record MLI23119 - Iron Age Saltern Site, Tyrell's Farm, Cowbit
Summary
Probable middle Iron Age saltern site, at Tyrell's Farm, Cowbit.
Type and Period (4)
- SALT WORKS (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
- ARTEFACT SCATTER (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
- RING DITCH (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
- SETTLEMENT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
A number of slightly mounded sites with dark soil stains were noted in this location during the Fenland Survey fieldwalking. Small briquetage fragments and Iron Age pottery (of a previously unknown fabric) were found. The sites are partly buried and largely protected by silt lain by the medieval River Welland. Briquetage and domestic pottery of recognised middle Iron Age date were also noted. The spreads of briquetage are generally about 30m in diameter, and included pieces with hour-glass supports. Some small fragments of stone and animal bone were also present on the sites. {1}
Fieldwork was carried out by the Fenland Survey in 1992. Excavation took place over two of the three identified mounds (COW 25 and 26). Mound COW 25 revealed the plough-damaged remains of a hearth/oven, measuring 3m by 1m. Two parallel linear features may have been flues, and were infilled with fragments of fired clay containers, supports and amorphous baked clay material thought to be from a collapsed superstructure. A shallow depression at the north end was infilled with similar material and may have been a stoke pit. A penannular ditch lay on the mound, thought not to be contemporary with the hearth/oven, suggesting apparent phasing which may be borne out by fabric differences in the briquetage. A second length of possible penannular ditch lay on COW 26 and had no briquetage infill, suggesting it was in use prior to salt making on the site. The briquetage indicated that production and processing were taking place on the site. The pottery assemblage was domestic and included scored ware. The animal bone suggested on-site breeding of cattle, pig and sheep. Environmental data indicated a saltmarsh environment adjacent to tidal creeks. Archaeomagnetic dating conducted on the hearth bottom confirmed that that it had been disturbed by plough damage since its last firing, and no valid dating could therefore be obtained via this method. {2}{3}{4}
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SLI1079 Bibliographic Reference: Hayes, P. P. and Lane, T. W.. 1992. The Fenland Project No.5: Lincolnshire Survey, the South-West Fens. pp.177-8, COW 24-6.
- <2> SLI642 Article in Serial: LANE, T.W.. 1992. HERITAGE LINCOLNSHIRE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. pp.22-3.
- <3> SLI7859 Bibliographic Reference: Crowson, A.; Lane, T. and Reeve. J. (eds). 2000. Fenland Management Project Excavations 1991-1995. COW 24-6 (COW92), pp.80-4.
- <4> SLI16529 Report: English Heritage Ancient Monuments Laboratory. 1993. Archaeomagnetic Dating: Cowbit. -.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 2522 1806 (84m by 87m) Estimated from Sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | COWBIT, SOUTH HOLLAND, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (4)
- Event - Survey: Fenland Management Project contour survey, Tollbar Drove (ELI4074)
- Event - Intervention: Fenland Management Project excavation, Tollbar Drove (ELI4079)
- Event - Survey: Fenland Management Project fieldwalking, Tollbar Drove (ELI4075)
- Event - Survey: Fenland Management Project magnetic susceptibility survey, Tollbar Drove (ELI4077)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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