Monument record MWX3579 - Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Field F, Bronze Age industrial, agricultural and domestic activity

Three pits containing EBA Beaker pottery suggesting domestic activity in the vicinity. The presence of grain in one pit suggests agricultural activity. An MBA pit containing beaker pottery from at least three vessels is believed to represent a 'special' deposit . In the NW of the site a cluster of features indicates an industrial, domestic and agricultural 'sub site', features include pits, post holes, scoops, a clay hearth and a gully. One pit contains bone, charcoal, carbonised grains and pottery from at least eight vessels, another contains loom weights, fired and raw clay. Large quantities of hearthstone in a gully to the south of the cluster may be associated with the extraction of hematite used for pottery pigments. Two large storage pits to the north of this area contain raw and fired clay, carbonised grains, loom weights, part of granite quern, shale waste and part of a shale spindle whorl. They are interpreted as grain storage pits, implying well established agricultural practices. The presence of bone in several features hints at animal husbandry while the loom weights and spindle whorl indicate textile manufacture. No settlement structures were excavated but domestic activity is implied. Other Bronze Age features found on site include a straight, narrow, steep sided ditch; a large shallow pit with its base stained red (implying burning), further pits and postholes and a further 'special' deposit pit containing the remains of at least four vessels. Worked flint, burnt flint and hearthstone were found during surface collection. Dumps of raw and fired clay are believed to be related to pottery manufacture (see WX3350) (1)
Two small sherds of EBA fingernail-decorated Beaker pottery were retrieved from Field F during the 1998 season. Nine MBA features were also excavated including a pit containing a complete pot containing small charcoal fragments and carbonised grain. A ring of postholes with a diameter of 6.5m may represent a structure, dated to the LBA by comparison with known hut circles (2)

<1> Ladle L, 1997, Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Phase 6 - 1997 (Unpublished document). SWX8526.

<2> Ladle L, 1998, Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Phase 7 - 1998 (Unpublished document). SWX8528.

Record last edited

Apr 3 2021 3:04PM