Farmsteads and Funerary Sites: The M1 Junction 12 Improvements and the A5-M1 Link Road, Central Bedfordshire. Archaeological Investigations Prior to Construction, 2011 & 2015-16

Description

MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) undertook extensive excavations during the construction of two separate, but adjacent road schemes, some 4.5km apart near Houghton Regis and Toddington, in south Central Bedfordshire. Taken as a whole, the excavations provide a detailed multi-period dataset for regional and national comparison. The first evidence for occupation occurred in the middle/late Bronze Age comprising pits and clusters of postholes, including four-post and six-post structures. Two pit alignments, more than 2km apart, also indicate that land divisions were being established, and in the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age a significant new settlement emerged in the valley bottom. Parts of a further contemporary earlier-middle Iron Age settlement lay at the top of the valley but neither settlement extended into the Roman period. In the late Iron Age or early Roman period three or four new settlements emerged with occupation continuing into the late Roman period in at least one of these. Of particular interest was the recovery of two significant Aylesford-Swarling type cemeteries as well as a third cemetery which largely comprised unurned burials, including some busta, but with few accompanying grave goods. In the late 7th-century a small probable Christian conversion open-ground inhumation cemetery was established with burials accompanied by a range of objects, including a rare work box, knives, brooches, chatelaine keys and a spearhead. Parts of three medieval settlements were uncovered including one with a potters' working area. Title Page Copyright page Contents Page List of Figures List of Tables Contributors Acknowledgements Chapter 1. Introduction Location and circumstances of the fieldwork M1 Junction 12 improvements A5–M1 link road Landscape character, topography and geology Topography and geology along the valley of the Ouzel Brook Topography and geology at M1 Junction 12 Aims and objectives of the fieldwork M1 Junction 12 improvements A5–M1 link road Research themes and the significance of results Bronze Age Iron Age and Roman Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic Middle Saxon Late Saxon and medieval Post-medieval and modern Organisation of this report Summary of chronology within this report Textual and graphical conventions Arrangements for the archives Community engagement and public dissemination Chapter 2. Middle–late Bronze Age pits and undated pit alignments Middle-late Bronze Age pits in the upper valley Middle–late Bronze Age pits at Site H The form and character of the postholes Possible structures Possible fence lines Dispersed isolated pits Large pits and pits packed with burnt stone, HP1 Distribution of pottery Summary Middle–late Bronze Age pits in the lower valley Summary Site Q Sites D and G Site M Middle–late Bronze Age pits at Sites D, G, M and Q Late Bronze Age/early Iron Age pits at Site C The Bronze Age pit alignment, south of Site M The form and character of the pits Groups within the alignment Group MPL1 Group MPL2 Group MPL3 Group MPL4 Pit alignments and other features at Site P The form and character of the pits The main pit alignment, PPL1 The northern pits and break in alignment The southern row of pits Other aligned pits, PPL2 A later boundary and pits group PPG2 Ditch, P[198] Curving gully, P[330] Pit group, PPG2 Non-aligned pits and postholes, PPG1 Specialist studies Middle–late Bronze Age pottery by Andy Chapman Pottery from Site H Pottery from Site C Pottery from Site G Catalogue of illustrated pottery (Figs 2.26 and 2.27) Pottery from Site M Residual pottery Discussion Charcoal by Dana Challinor Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer Samples from pit alignments Faunal remains by Rebecca Gordon Molluscs by Val Fryer Radiocarbon determinations Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites Flint scatters Other sites and monuments Post structures and associated postholes Isolated and scattered pits Pit alignments Review of project objectives Chapter 3. Iron Age farming beside the Ouzel Brook Iron Age settlement evidence at Sites D, G and M Early Iron Age features at Site D Pit cluster DPC1 Pit cluster DPC2 and pit D[1195] Pit cluster DPC3 Curvilinear ditch, DED1 Individual pits and postholes at Site D Pit cluster DPC4 Pit cluster GPC1 Summary Early Iron Age pits at Site G Pit cluster GPC2 Isolated pits at Site G Disarticulated human charnel from Sites D and G Earlier-middle Iron Age dispersed settlement at Sites D and G Ring ditch GRD1 Ring ditch GRD2 Enclosure GENC1 Pits close to ring ditches GRD1 and GRD3 Pits to the north-east of the settlement Ring ditch GRD3 Enclosure DENC2 and pit D[1227] Later-middle Iron Age enclosed settlement at Site G The south-eastern settlement boundary, GBD1 Ring ditches GRD4-8 The south-western settlement boundary, GBD2 Enclosures GENC2-3 Enclosure GENC4 Ditch GD4 A possible cesspit outside the settlement Later-middle Iron Age peripheral activity at Site D Enclosure DENC3 Boundary ditches at Site D Middle Iron Age settlement and activity at Sites K and N Earlier-middle Iron Age storage pits and pit cluster Storage pits Pit cluster KPC Later-middle or late Iron Age boundary ditches Ditches within scheme corridor at Site K Ditches within the farm access road at Site K Undated pits and postholes Late Iron Age settlement, 1st century BC, at Site G, D and M Settlement boundaries The south-eastern boundary, GBD1 Boundary GBD5 The north-eastern boundary, GBD4 The north-western boundary, GBD3 The south-western boundary, GBD2 Ring ditches Ring ditch GRD9 and nearby pits Ditch GD11 Ring ditch GRD10 Internal settlement enclosures Enclosure GENC5 Enclosure GENC6 Enclosure GENC7 Ditch GD10 Enclosure GENC8 Post structures within the settlement Pits and postholes outside the settlement boundary Pits within the southern extent of settlement An Iron Age roundhouse at Thorn overbridge, Site G Late Iron Age boundaries, 1st century BC, at Site D Boundary ditch DBD6 Boundary ditch DBD7 Iron Age ditches south of Site M Specialist studies Fired clay and daub Site G by Pat Chapman Site D Site K Early Iron Age pottery The early Iron Age pottery of the south Midlands by Andy Chapman Early Iron Age pits and pit clusters at Site D Early Iron Age pits and pit clusters at Site G Earlier-middle and later-middle to late Iron Age pottery The evolution of the Iron Age pottery chronology in the south Midlands by Andy Chapman The Iron Age pottery sequence and chronology for the south Midlands Earlier-middle Iron Age pits and a pit cluster, and later boundaries at Site K Later-middle to late Iron Age settlement at Sites D and G Later-middle and late Iron Age linear ditch systems and enclosure at Site D Iron Age pottery from other sites The middle to late Iron Age assemblages and domestic use by Andy Chapman Registered Iron Age finds Personal possessions by Tora Hylton and Ian Riddler General ironwork Tools Miscellanea Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman Wood charcoal Results by Imogen van Bergen-Poole Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer Faunal remains Site G by Rebecca Gordon Site D Animal bone from other Iron Age sites Molluscs by Val Fryer Radiocarbon determinations Early Iron Age dates Earlier-middle Iron Age dates Later-middle Iron Age dates The alluvial sequence beside the Ouzel Brook at Site M Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites Latest Bronze Age to early Iron Age activity/occupation (c.800–400BC) Early Iron Age pit clusters at Sites D, G and an earlier-middle pit cluster at K Layout of features at Sites D and G Start date of the early Iron Age settlement at Sites D and G Isolated pits and postholes at Sites D and G Other early Iron Age settlements Earlier-middle Iron Age (c.400–300/250BC) Comparisons between open settlements Location of the earlier-middle Iron Age settlement Internal arrangements within the settlement Understanding population Economy of the settlements at Sites G and K Later-middle Iron Age (c.300/250–100BC) Internal domestic occupation and pastoral farming activities Environment and economy Field systems at Site D Late Iron Age (c.100BC–AD0) Late Iron Age settlement at Site G Sub-rectangular enclosure at Site G Internal layout of settlement at Site G Late Iron Age boundaries and field systems Artefacts from the Iron Age settlement at Sites D and G Craft activities from Sites D, G and K Review of project objectives Chapter 4. A late Iron Age/Roman cremation cemetery and settlement features at Harlington Road The Iron Age/Roman funerary remains and nearby boundaries Summary Cremation cemetery at Site M1A Phase 1: Pre-Roman late Iron Age, 1st centuries BC to AD The cremation burials Non-funerary features Phase 2: Late Iron Age/Roman, early to mid 1st century AD The cremation burials Cremation burial M1A[4234] Relationship to the nearby boundary ditches Phase 3: Roman, late 1st to early 2nd centuries AD The cremation burials Features outside the cemetery Phase 4: Roman, early to mid 2nd century AD The cremation burials Further redefinition of nearby boundaries An undated inhumation burial Roman boundaries at TWB3, Site M1C and Site M1B Phase 3: Ditches, late 1st century AD Roman boundaries, pits and gullies at TWB3 Phase 4: Settlement features, early to mid 2nd century AD Pits and gullies Phase 5: A late Roman boundary ditch Specialist studies Fired clay by Pat Chapman Querns by Andy Chapman Roman pottery by Jane Timby Pottery chronology Modifications to vessels Pottery from non-funerary features near the cemetery Regional parallels Pottery from ditches and pits on the opposite side of the valley Catalogue of illustrated pottery from non-funerary contexts (Fig 4.57) Tile by Pat Chapman Registered late Iron Age/Roman finds by Tora Hylton An iron disc A ceramic roundel or gaming counter A polished bronze mirror Brooches Coins by Ian Meadows Nails Charcoal by Dana Challinor Samples from cremation burials and related deposits Samples from contemporary non-funerary features near the cemetery Conclusion Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman Charred plant macrofossils and other remains Conclusion Sample composition Samples from contemporary non-funerary features near the cemetery Samples from cremation burials and related deposits by Val Fryer Faunal remains Animal bone from Roman boundaries, pits and gullies at TWB3 Animal bone from the cremation cemetery at Site M1A by Laszlo Lichtenstein Cremated human remains Colour Preservation, fragmentation and completeness Skeletal element representation by Sarah Inskip Conclusion Demography Pathology An inhumation burial, M1A[4250] by Sarah Inskip Radiocarbon determinations Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites Contemporary activity Aerial photographic evidence The late Iron Age and Roman funerary evidence Other late Iron Age and Roman features Chapter 5. Iron Age/Roman funerary sites in the valley of the Ouzel Brook Summary of the funerary chronology A middle-late Iron Age inhumation from Site Q A late Iron Age/early Roman urned cremation burial cemetery at Site F A late Iron Age/early Roman pyre site and unurned cremations at Site H Early Roman cremation burials and inhumations at Site Q A charnel burial pit of the late 4th to 5th centuries AD at Site F Specialist studies Late Iron Age/early Roman pottery from cremation burials by Phil Mills The pottery from the Site F cremation cemetery Iron discs by Tora Hylton Charcoal Character and composition Urned burials from Site F by Dana Challinor Unurned burials and busta from Site H Charred plant macrofossils and other remains Burial deposits from Site Q Cremation burial deposits from Site F Cremation burial deposits from Site H by Val Fryer Faunal remains Faunal deposits associated with the funerary remains at Site F by Rebecca Gordon Faunal deposits associated with the cremated remains at Site H Human remains Nature of the sample by Chris Chinnock Disarticulated early Iron Age remains Late Iron Age/early Roman inhumations Preservation and completeness of inhumations Disarticulated late 4th- to 5th-century remains Discussion Radiocarbon determinations Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites Funerary sites nearby Disarticulated remains in Iron Age contexts Late Iron Age/early Roman human remains The Aylesford–Swarling culture and the Catuvellauni Analysing the burial sites Chronology of burials Comparison sites for burial layout Layout of Iron Age/early Roman burials within the excavated areas Types of burials encountered Pottery within graves Treatment of cremated bone and pyre debris Ritual modification of vessels Other grave goods Faunal remains in association with funerary deposits Middle–late Iron Age inhumation Review of project objectives Chapter 6. Late Iron Age/Roman trackways, boundaries and enclosures Summary of the late Iron Age/Roman chronology Feature summary 1st century BC to mid 1st century AD (pre-Roman) Late 1st century AD until c.AD120 (Roman) Trackways and enclosures at Site H The ditched boundaries and funerary landscape at Site H Pre-Conquest period, late Iron Age boundary ditches The trackway from the east and flanking enclosures Other boundaries Possible waterhole Small enclosures to the north The trackway from the north-east Features in the vicinity of the northern enclosures A horse burial Pre-Conquest period, late Iron Age funerary enclosure Post-Conquest period, early Roman reorganisation An enclosure ditch with an internal bank Wells within the enclosure Contemporary boundaries Pits associated with the enclosure Boundaries and enclosures at Site Q Late Iron Age settlement A probable sub-rectangular enclosure Other boundary ditches Scattered features in the vicinity of the enclosure A probable late Iron Age enclosure and linear boundary An isolated roundhouse An enclosure, mid 1st-century AD The entrance A boundary, late 1st to early 2nd centuries AD Further enclosure boundaries extending to the south Four-post structures at Site F Boundary ditches at Site P Features either side of a field entrance Other undated ditches nearby Boundary ditches and pits at Site J Specialist studies Querns by Andy Chapman Site H Site Q Roman floor tile/brick by Pat Chapman Fired clay by Pat Chapman Late Iron Age pottery from Site Q Site chronology by Andy Chapman and Phil Mills Diagnostic feature groups Catalogue of illustrated late Iron Age pottery (Fig 6.26) Transitional wares and early Roman pottery Site H by Phil Mills Site Q Land to the north of Ouzel Brook, Site J Pottery supply in the valley of the Ouzel Brook Pottery classifications Burning Function and fineware Cross-joining sherds Catalogue of notable forms with published parallels Catalogue of illustrated pottery (Figs 6.37 – 6.43) Registered late Iron Age/Roman finds Household items Nails Personal possessions by Tora Hylton Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman Faunal remains The animal bone from Site H by Rebecca Gordon The animal bone from Site Q Oyster shells by Jim Brown Molluscs by Val Fryer Radiocarbon determinations Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites Areas of probable settlement Other sites and monuments Late Iron Age to middle Roman (c.AD 0–2nd century AD) Location of the late Iron Age/early Roman settlements The nature of settlement Trackways Buildings Economy Craft/industry Farming Animal burials and ritual deposits Review of project objectives Chapter 7. Saxon funerary remains, pits, cultivation soils and medieval settlement Summary of Saxon and medieval settlement and funerary remains Saxon inhumation cemetery at Site H Burial catalogue Human remains Non-metric traits Palaeopathology by Chris Chinnock  Osteological discussion Saxon grave goods from inhumation burials Knives Spearhead by Tora Hylton Buckles/plates Workbox Mineralised fabric analysis Analysis Brooches with mineralised fabric by Sue Harrington Discussion Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer Discussion Medieval settlement at Site Q Saxo-Norman boundary ditches An entrance into a small enclosure Pits and postholes Early 12th-century development A timber-framed building Features north-east of the building Features south of the building The western boundary ditch A triangular plot Plot boundaries to the south-east Features within the plots The mid 12th century onwards Post-medieval boundaries Medieval activity at Site G Ditches and pits at Site G Medieval settlement at Site F Saxon boundaries and pits Pits containing solely early/middle Saxon pottery Features containing solely late Saxon finds Possible Saxon to early medieval cultivation soils Saxo-Norman boundaries and possible structures Initial Saxo-Norman boundaries Possible Saxo-Norman structures Saxo-Norman pits and postholes, and undated features in close proximity Medieval occupation, structures and enclosures Enclosures and possible structures of the early 12th century Boundary alterations and activity after the mid 12th century Late medieval clearance and levelling A natural sinkhole Post-medieval features Specialist studies Querns by Andy Chapman Roof tile Site F Site Q by Pat Chapman Daub by Pat Chapman Floor tile by Pat Chapman Chalk mortar by Pat Chapman Saxon, medieval and later pottery Site Q by Paul Blinkhorn Site F Site G Catalogue of illustrated Saxon and medieval pottery (Figs 7.55-57, 7.60 and 7.62) Registered Saxon finds Chalton handled comb by Tora Hylton and Ian Riddler Textile working tools Registered early medieval finds Site Q by Tora Hylton Site F Site G Charred plant macrofossils and other remains Site Q by Val Fryer Site F Metalworking debris by Andy Chapman Faunal remains Site Q by Rebecca Gordon Site F Molluscs by Val Fryer Oyster shells by Jim Brown Radiocarbon determinations Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites From post-Roman to Saxon Localised changes in the medieval period Evidence from maps and aerial photographs The medieval open fields The 12th-century buildings Review of project objectives Late Saxon and medieval Middle Saxon Post-medieval and modern Chapter 8. A late medieval potters’ waste dump near Nuppings Green, north of Toddington Summary of the medieval and post-medieval chronology Variations in methodology Medieval potters’ working area at Site M1C A potters’ water cistern A pot bank Medieval ditches at Site M1B Post-medieval buildings and a cob wall at Site M1C Building 1, 15th-17th centuries Cob wall, 15th–19th centuries Building 2, 18th–19th centuries Agricultural evidence Specialist studies Brick by Pat Chapman Fired clay by Pat Chapman Medieval pottery Kiln waste Non-kiln material by Paul Blinkhorn Chronological summary Typology The assemblage in its regional context Catalogue of illustrated Hertfordshire-type greyware from Site M1C (Figs 8.10, 8.14-8.16) Roof tile by Pat Chapman Charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer Registered medieval finds by Tora Hylton Faunal remains by Laszlo Lichtenstein Regional landscape context and discussion Previous archaeological works and associated sites The documentary evidence Aerial photographs Historic maps Discussion of the excavated remains Post-medieval buildings The medieval potters’ working area Review of project objectives Bibliography Manuscript sources and aerial photographic references Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service National Monument Record, Swindon Ordnance Survey maps