Late Bronze Age settlement and salt production on the Stour Estuary: Excavations at Stutton Close, Stutton

Abstract

Small-scale excavations in the village of Stutton in south-east Suffolk, overlooking the estuary of the River Stour, revealed part of an unenclosed Late Bronze Age settlement, including one probable post-built structure and several pit groups. The pits produced significant finds assemblages, including pottery, quern stones, loom weights and spindle whorls, whilst charred plant remains indicate the cultivation and processing of wheat and barley. Radiocarbon dating of the charred plant remains provided dates covering the ninth and tenth centuries BC. Most significantly, several of the pits produced evidence for salt working in the form of a substantial assemblage of briquetage. This represents the earliest secure evidence for salt working in Suffolk but should be seen in the context of comparable material from Late Bronze Age sites further south, in Essex and along the Thames Estuary. The site makes an important contribution to the understanding of Late Bronze Age settlement in the county, whilst extending the known distribution of early salt working sites in Eastern England.