Source/Archive record (Unpublished document) SNT5987 - An Archaeological Field Excavation on Land of Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
| Title |
An Archaeological Field Excavation on Land of Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire |
| Author/Originator |
Jamie Patrick |
| Date/Year |
2022 |
Abstract/Summary
This report details the results of an archaeological field excavation carried out on land off Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. The work was undertaken during September and October 2021.
The development area consists of four arable fields west of Beck Lane, just north of the village of Skegby in Nottinghamshire. Geophysical survey had recorded extensive anomalies across the area, but follow-up trial trenching in March 2021 demonstrated that many of these were probably of periglacial origin or were not visible as identifiable features.
The trenching did confirm the presence of three probable Bronze Age ring ditches identified by the geophysical survey. The northernmost ring ditch produced a sherd of Early Bronze Age pottery, and two un-urned cremation burials. The two ring ditches to the south produced no dating evidence.
On the basis of the result of the evaluation, two areas of archaeological mitigation (covering approximately 0.6 hectares in total) were identified and agreed with the Local Planning Authority, focused on the prehistoric remains in two evaluation trenches.
The excavation confirmed the existence of ring ditches, cremations, and other discrete features. Whilst the trenching had suggested the southern area contained a possible square barrow and ring ditch, soil stripping revealed a C-shaped ditch with associated cremation burials along with a hengiform type monument.
Ring Ditch 2 was possibly the earliest feature consisting of two phases although there was no artefactual evidence or any funerary evidence. Ring Ditch 1 to the west formed a C-shaped enclosure encompassing a central urn-less cremation burial. A second phase consisted of a number of urned cremation burials concentrated outside the south-eastern side of the enclosure, one cutting the ring ditch backfill; with a fifth isolated cremation burial to the north-east. A single pit cut the ditch terminus deposit forming an entrance onto Ring Ditch 1. The cremated human remains were placed in Bronze Age Collared Urns with three of the cremation burials also accompanied by small ancillary cups. An undated four-post structure may have had a link to funerary rites, though this is unproven.
Ring Ditch 3 to the north represented the most recent phase. This comprised a ring ditch which encompassed three central urn-less cremations with a fourth cremation just to the north-east of the ditch edge.
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Description
Results of an excavation. Report includes Early Bronze Age pottery report, Flint from cremation burial samples report, osteological analysis report, charred plant remains report, charcoal from cremation samples report, and radiocarbon dating and modelling report
Location
Referenced Monuments (6)
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MNT28633 Bronze Age Cremation Burial near Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Element)
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MNT28631 Bronze Age Cremation Burials near Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Element)
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MNT28630 Bronze Age Ring Ditch near Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Element)
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MNT28636 Posthole Structure near Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Element)
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MNT28632 Ring Ditches near Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Element)
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MNT28634 Urned Cremation Burials near Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield (Element)
Referenced Events (1)
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ENT5364
Excavation at Beck Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield
Record last edited
Aug 6 2025 4:45PM