Monument record MLI50348 - Triple-Ditch Linear System, Greetwell North Farm

Summary

Cropmarks of a triple-ditch linear system, to the south-west of Greetwell North Farm.

Type and Period (11)

  • (Late Bronze Age to Roman - 1000 BC to 150 AD?)
  • (Late Bronze Age to Roman - 1000 BC to 150 AD?)
  • (Eastern ditch of triple ditch system, Middle Iron Age to Roman - 400 BC to 150 AD?)
  • (Western ditch of triple ditch system, Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC to 160 AD?)
  • (Central ditch of triple ditch system, Late Bronze Age to Roman - 1000 BC to 150 AD?)
  • (Undated)
  • (Late Iron Age - 100 BC to 42 AD)
  • (Outlying ditch east of triple ditch system, Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC to 150 AD?)
  • (Late Iron Age to Roman - 100 BC to 200 AD?)
  • (Early Iron Age - 800 BC to 401 BC)
  • (Late Iron Age - 100 BC to 42 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

Cropmarks of a triple-ditch linear system, to the south-west of Greetwell North Farm. {1}{2}{3} Probably of late prehistoric date, as it is overlain in parts by Romano-British settlement remains. {4}{5}{6} Geophysical evidence shows a triple ditch feature of probable Iron Age date crossing the area evaluated by geophysical survey and fieldwalking in advance of quarrying. 'Blank' areas evident in the spatial distribution of finds appear to follow a similar alignment to the triple ditches, indicating the possible presence of remnant ploughed out banks associated with the ditch system. Geophysical survey results also suggest the presence of a 50m wide band of ploughed-down bank material following a similar alignment. {7}{8}{9}{18}{19} Geophysical survey in 1996 detected north-west to south-east aligned linear features which may be associated with the triple ditch system.{18}{19} Trial trenching centred on TF 007 724, carried out in 1997, suggested that the ditches of the triple ditch system may not be contemporary. The smallest, eastern ditch was dated to the middle Iron Age, the central ditch was undated, and the western ditch dated to the late Iron Age and contained early Roman pottery. Possibly all three ditches dated to the middle Iron Age, with the eastern and possibly central ditches falling into disuse, while the western ditch was maintained into the Roman period. Alternatively, the ditch system may only have comprised one or two ditches at any one time, with the western ditch being the last incarnation. The ditches appear to skirt a large, probably natural depression, and terminate south of easting TF 00 (no archaeological remains were found in Trench 1, at about TF 0053 7258, indicating that the ditches terminate south of this point), appearing to respect the field boundary, delineated by a watercourse. A further ditch, aligned north-west to south-east, and dating to the late Iron Age/early Roman period, was recorded in Trench 10, east of the triple-ditch system.{13}{14} During trial trenching, it was established that the overall width of the triple ditch system was consistently between about 11m and 12m, with the spacing between the ditches remaining fairly equal. All three ditches were notably uniform, with V-shaped profiles and rounded/concave bases. Tenuous evidence for banks was found, but the deposits may be natural. Trench 1 contained evidence for a recut of either the boundary or a later pit, with the recut removing the east shoulder of the eastern ditch. Mollusc evidence suggests that the ditches filled with water on a seasonal basis, and the deposits in each ditch accumulated under differing environmental conditions, possibly indicating change in the environment over time. The boundary was found to continue right across the evaluation area, extending to the edge of the stream to the south-east, and beneath the colluvium deposits which had accumulated at the bottom of the hill-slope and adjacent stream. Fragments of late Bronze Age/early Iron Age pottery were found in two contexts in the middle ditch, thought to be from single vessels.{10}{11}{12} Excavations carried out in 1999 prior to Phase 1 extensions at Greetwell Quarry revealed that the ditches of the triple ditch system were formed of several segments, all similarly aligned. However, a segment of the western ditch deviated from its alignment slightly, overlapping another western ditch segment. It had previously been suggested that the ditches terminated, but it was discovered that the terminations were so shallow that it was unclear if they were terminations or if the ditches had been truncated. A group of postholes was located close to the possible ditch terminations, mostly concentrated between the central and eastern ditch terminals. Although undated, it is possible that these postholes were associated with the ditches, possibly forming barriers to control the movement of livestock and/or people across the ditches. {15}{16} Functionally speaking, the ditches may have been no more than linear 'quarries', dug to create a series of linear banks which, although not practical for defensive purposes, would have formed an impressive feature in the landscape. The excavations revealed that where the ditches became very shallow due to the underlying bedrock's closeness to the surface, large quarry pits appear to have been dug, presumably to augment the inadequate amount of bank material being produced by the ditches. It may be significant that the ditches increased from three to four in this area. {15}{16} Pottery finds confirmed the Iron Age date of some of the ditches. A segment of the eastern ditch had Roman pottery in its fill, probably deriving from Roman destruction of the monument {17}. The central ditches contained Iron Age pottery, including possible scored ware, dating to the middle Iron Age and later, and also Roman pottery (see above). The western ditches contained late Iron Age pottery (sherds of a cordoned carinated wheel-made beaker), Iron Age/Roman pottery and a late Iron Age pottery spindle whorl. {15}{16} Environmental sampling indicates an open calcareous dry grassland environment at this time, with strong woodland elements indicated in the southern area of the triple ditch system (a shaded, hedged or wooded environment) and open country to the north. No evidence of occupation activity was found in any of the postholes, although a very small amount of hammerscale was found in one posthole. A small assemblage of animal bone was found, the only identifiable piece being a fragment of dog mandible. Low density charred cereal grains were found in some of the samples. {15}{16} Two sherds of sandstone-tempered pottery were found, which may be early Anglo-Saxon or Iron Age - see PRN 54737. {15}{16} Excavations centred on TF0043 7292 in 2001 noted that the triple ditch system varies in width from a minimum of about 12m to the south-east to a maximum of about 15m at the ditch teminals to the north-west. A progressive widening of the individual ditches to the north-west was also noted. The eastern and western ditches showed evidence of recutting, with the eastern ditch shifting progressively eastwards with each recut. The central ditch showed no evidence of recutting but its increasing width is suggestive of such. The recutting evidence suggests that the ditches were maintained as an integral part of the boundary, conflicting with 1999 evidence from Greetwell which suggested that the ditches were 'linear quarries' (see above). The recutting also indicates a long period of pre to late Iron Age use, possibly permitting an early or middle Iron Age or even late Bronze Age date. Smithing slag and late Iron Age pot were found in the eastern ditch, and late Iron Age pot in the upper fill of the central ditch, suggesting final silting up in the late Iron Age. The fill of a recut of the western ditch contained Roman cream ware dated to AD120-160, suggesting the ditch system survived as an earthwork into the Roman period (see also PRN 54248). A break in the ditch system for about 100m may indicate a natural obstacle or possibly a territorial entity, or the ditch system was defined by an archaeologically unrecognisable feature in this area. {20}{21} Pits and postholes and frequent pottery finds suggest structural remains and domestic occupation, while slag finds are indicative of ironworking. Crude potsherds also suggest early/middle Iron Age activity. A probable track provides further evidence for the provision of control over people/livestock (see also PRN 70220). Evidence for an enclosure flanking the ditch system is suggested by a curving ditch across the projected line of the south-west boundary ditch. Environmental sampling suggests domestic occupation and open grassland in the area of pits and postholes. {20}{21} A watching brief carried out during residential development at Bunkers Hill in the area of the triple ditch found only very tentative signs of the ditch. No other features were discovered and no finds collected. This is probably due to the shallow depth of the groundwork in the area of the ditch and also mitigation strategies to move the development away from the ditch where possible. {22}{23}

Sources/Archives (23)

  •  Article in Serial: A.J. White (ed.). 1979. 'Archaeology in Lincolnshire and South Humberside, 1978' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.14, pp.74-5.
  •  Article in Serial: James Pickering. 1978. 'The Jurassic Spine' in Current Archaeology. NO.64, PAGE 140-143.
  •  Article in Monograph: Paul Everson. 1983. 'Aerial Photography and Fieldwork in North Lincolnshire' in The Impact of Aerial Reconnaissance on Archaeology. CBA Research Report 49, pp.14-26.
  •  Verbal Communication: COLCUTT S. 1996. -.
  •  Aerial Photograph: Paul Everson. 1975-90. RCHM. 2958/16-7.
  •  Map: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1992-1996. National Mapping Programme. TF0072: LI.537.9.1.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Oct 1997. Land at Greetwell. LGW97.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Oct 1997. Land at Greetwell. LCNCC 226.97.
  •  Report: Oxford Archaeotechnics. 1997. Land at Greetwell, Lincolnshire. 1230897/GRL/BUT.
  •  Report: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. July 2000. Bunkers Hill, Lincoln. GBH99.
  •  Archive: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. July 2000. Bunkers Hill, Lincoln. LCNCC 222.99.
  •  Report: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. April 2001. Bunkers Hill, Lincoln-Updated Environmental Archaeology Assessment. GBH99.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Jan 1998. Land at Greetwell: proposal for quarry extension. GWQ97.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Jan 1998. Land at Greetwell: proposal for quarry extension. LCNCC 1997.273.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. July 2001. Greetwell Quarry Extension Phase 1. GQE99.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. July 2001. Greetwell Quarry Extension Phase 1. LCNCC 95.99.
  •  Verbal Communication: Bennet, M. March 2002. Romans and Iron Age triple ditch systems. March 2002.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Nov 1997. Land at Bunkers Hill, Greetwell, Lincoln. LBH96.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Nov 1997. Land at Bunkers Hill, Greetwell, Lincoln. LCNCC 156.96.
  •  Report: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. Feb 2002. The Prehistoric Triple-Ditched Boundary at Bunkers Hill, Lincoln. GBHB01.
  •  Archive: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. Feb 2002. The Prehistoric Triple-Ditched Boundary at Bunkers Hill, Lincoln. LCNCC 2001.112.
  •  Report: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. 2004. Residential Development (Area RC3), Bunkers Hill, Lincoln: Archaeological Watching Brief. GBHD03.
  •  Archive: City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. 2004. Residential Development (Area RC3), Bunkers Hill, Lincoln: Archaeological Watching Brief. LCNCC 2003.30.

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Grid reference Centred TF 0051 7256 (456m by 824m) Estimated from sources
Civil Parish GREETWELL, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE
Civil Parish MINSTER, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Record last edited

Mar 20 2022 8:51AM

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