Chapel End, Sawtry: An Archaeological Evaluation.

Abstract

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Chapel End, Sawtry. The Proposed Development Area (PDA) centred on TL 1737 8373 is located immediately west of the A1 (M) which occupies the route of Roman Ermine Street, and south of the scheduled remains of a shrunken medieval village (SAM 172). A total of 15 trenches (449m) were machine excavated across the PDA. The trenches revealed evidence of Early Iron Age activity and early medieval features as well as later 19th-20th century refuse pits and a series of undated agricultural/drainage features. Archaeology was present in all but one trench. A single Early Iron Age pit containing pottery and large deposits of burnt clay was excavated at the southern area of the site. Similar fills associated with a NE-SW aligned ditch and several probable pit features exposed at the northwest corner of the site suggest this prehistoric activity may continue across the area, albeit sporadically. The early medieval features appear to represent the remains of peripheral settlement activity; i.e. ditched enclosures, pits and probable well features, with some later agricultural activity indicated by furrow remnants. Much of this activity was located on the higher clay ground and had subsequently been heavily truncated, however a number of features on the sloping ground were found to be relatively well-preserved. The circular earthworks in the north-westernmost field were found to be modern, superficial features, likely associated with equestrian training whilst the large ditch visible in the northeast field proved to be series of re-cutting drainage features dating to the post-medieval period (c.17th-18th century).