Land East of Aspall Road, Debenham, Suffolk: An Archaeological Interim Statement

Abstract

The Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) were commissioned by to undertake an open area archaeological excavation of land east of Aspall Road, Debenham, Suffolk. The excavation was divided across two areas totalling 0.74ha. Area 1 was characterised medieval occupation activity, in particular the eastern boundary of a large medieval rectilinear enclosure. It was divided into plots by smaller ditches. Other medieval activity within the enclosure points to potential quarrying. The only other features in Area 1 were all post-medieval, with a rectilinear enclosure, a field boundary, and the demolition layer of a building present at the southernmost end. Area 2 was made up of features that were either medieval or post-medieval. The medieval features include a large watering hole and a group of post-holes and small pits in south-eastern corner of the area. These post-holes were perhaps part of a small structure or fence line. The remaining features are a series of shallow parallel ditches orientated north-west to south-east, and were the remains of a ridge and furrow system.