EDO6591 - ARC Gravel Pit, West Knighton; excavation 1995

An open-area excavation was carried out following the discovery of a previously unknown archaeological site at the gravel pit. Two areas were excavated: area A in the north part of the site where there was a greater concentration of features and surface finds and area B in the south where there were interconnecting linear features. In area A, a western sequence of ditches was revealed with pottery being found in two cuts of the original ditch which included 3rd/4th century New Forest Ware forms. An easternmost sequence of ditches was also found with pottery being found in the later ditch of the same type. The ditches were thought to be contemporary and to have been situated alongside a trackway of 5m wide. A number of post holes or small pits were found between the ditches, one of which was a hearth and flue/fire pit of uncertain purpose. It contained a fragment of a copper alloy spoon bowl, an iron nail and local coarseware pottery of 3rd/4th century date. Romano-British pottery of 2nd century or later was found in two pits. A sub-circular chamber was also identified of uncertain date and purpose. Area B was poorly preserved but a set of ditches and gulleys was identified, one set running E-W and one N-S. It was thought that this was related to a field system. Pottery recovered ranged from late Iron Age to Romano-British. Three large storage pits were excavated and dated by pottery to the late Iron Age.