Monument record MLI81837 - Linear ditch system, west of A15, Dunsby

Summary

Linear ditch system, west of A15, Dunsby

Type and Period (6)

  • (Early Neolithic to Roman - 4000 BC to 409 AD?)
  • (Early Neolithic to Roman - 4000 BC to 409 AD?)
  • (Early Neolithic to Roman - 4000 BC to 409 AD?)
  • (Early Neolithic to Roman - 4000 BC to 409 AD?)
  • (Early Neolithic to Roman - 4000 BC to 409 AD?)
  • (Early Neolithic to Roman - 4000 BC to 409 AD?)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

PRN 61813 A prehistoric cropmark multiple ditched system, at least 1.5km in length, was identified by aerial photography and the National Mapping Programme. It consisted of triple linear ditches, circa 18m in total width, with a single linear ditch circa 45-60m to the west.{1}{2}{6} The boundary has between 1-4 interrupted sinuous ditches, extending for 1450m, from TF 0319 5186 to TF 0348 5299, trending north-south then curving to align then curving to align east-west. At TF 0315 5285 a single sinous ditch, 250m in length, abuts the multiple ditch boundary. Two other single boundary ditches occur in close proximity to the multiple ditched boundary, centred at TF 0298 5210 and TF 0373 5298. The nature of these fairly straight ditches differs from the sinuous multiple boundary and their relationship is uncertain. {2} A fifth ditch has been defined by aerial photography to the west of the westernmost ditch, making the overall width of the ditch system circa 200m. The fifth ditch is believed to be from a different phase of activity.{6} A magnetometer survey identified that at least the easternmost ditch of the multiple ditch system continues southwards, to join up with a short section of ditch running north/south across Nipton Lane. A slight inturning at a break in the ditch was thought to be an entrance, and a series of anomalies in the same area were thought to be pits.{4}{5} The break in the ditch was actually caused by quarry pit disturbance and the pattern of tipping. {6} Archaeological excavations were carried out in 1994 at the triple ditch site. The eastern ditch had a V-shaped profile, and was probably recut three times. Suggestions of a bank immediately to the east were indicated by silting patterns and the rubble backfill. A (probably continuous) line of postholes appears to have formed a palisade to the west of the eastern ditch. None of the postholes were dated, but their proximity to the ditch implies continuity. The central ditch has a V-shaped profile, lying circa 15m to the west of the easternmost ditch, and circa 30m to the east of the single ditch to the west. This ditch terminates with a butt end. Some evidence for endposts suggests that the ditch may be a foundation trench for a fence line. Evidence for a bank was inconclusive. A break of 22.75m appears in this ditch, with a short section of ditch inbetween. The section between the central ditch terminals may have been placed to make the opening in the ditch narrower. Two rows of postholes run north/south, parallel to each other and the break in the ditch, with both lines terminating at the same point; therefore, there is the possibility that a structure may have existed at the break in the ditch. This may be some kind of animal control arrangement, with the triple ditch system representing a wide track or droveway, but this does not account for the scale of the ditch system. It may be that the 'elaborate spatial layout' was for the control of people rather than livestock.{6} The single ditch to the west continues for circa 30m to the south of the modern road, but is not defined northwards of Church Row Plantation, possibly due to variations in crop conditions. This ditch is on a similar alignment to the triple ditch system, apparently converging with the eastern ditch as the other two ditches terminate. Evidence for a bank was inconclusive, and no postholes were found at either side of the ditch. The fifth ditch is defined by cropmarks on aerial photographs, circa 90-100m west of the single ditch to the west, on a straight north-west/south-east alignment. A further, smaller ditch to its east may be related, possibly forming a double-ditch.{6} The central ditch was cut by a gully defining a later enclosure which used the eastern ditch as its eastern boundary (see PRN61818), indicating that the central ditch had already been backfilled when the enclosure was set out, while the eastern ditch, a more imposing boundary, was still in existence.{6} A watching brief identified a 7m wide section of ditch at circa TF0317 5188, belonging to the triple ditch system.{7}{8} An excavation was undertaken at Brauncewell Limestone Quarry Extension 2001-02 prior to mineral extraction. A further section of the triple ditch system was uncovered. Pottery dates the recuts of one of the ditches to the mid to late 4th century.{11}{12}

Sources/Archives (12)

  •  Aerial Photograph: THOMSON B. 1992. 5/7/1992.
  •  Map: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1992-1996. National Mapping Programme. TF0252 LI.867.12.1, LI.867.13.1; TF0253 LI.867.16.1; TF0352 LI.867.12.2 &3, LI.867.14.1.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 1993. Brauncewell Limestone Quarry.
  •  Report: Landscape Research Centre Ltd. Feb 1994. Magnetometer survey, Brauncewell.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Mar 1994. Brauncewell Limestone Quarry Extension.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Aug 1994. Archaeological excavations at Brauncewell Limestone Quarry.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. May 1999. Brauncewell water main replacement, Nipton Lane, Brauncewell. BQR99.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. May 1999. Brauncewll water main replacement, Nipton Lane, Brauncewell. LCNCC 69.99.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 1993. Brauncewell Limestone Quarry. -.
  •  Article in Monograph: Boutwood, Y.. 1998. 'Prehistoric linear boundaries in Lincolnshire and its fringes' in Lincolnshire's Archaeology from the Air. -.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Jan 2004. Excavations at Brauncewell Limestone Quarry Extension 2001-2. BCQ01 BQN01.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Jan 2004. Excavations at Brauncewell Limestone Quarry Extension 2001-2. LCNCC 2001.277.

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Location

Grid reference Centred TF 0294 5245 (1084m by 1241m)
Civil Parish BRAUNCEWELL, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (5)

Please contact the HER for details.

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

Feedback?

Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.