Site Event/Activity record ESF19456 - Evaluation, Former Smyth works, Peasenhall

A trial trench evaluation was carried out in advance of residential development. Seven trenches (with a total excavated area of c. 225m2) were excavated. Extensive landscaping and development since the establishment of the Smythe Seed Drill Works at the beginning of the 19th century meant that truncation and disturbance was extensive throughout much of the site. However a trench close to the medieval road frontage revealed four 13th to 14th century ditches, two parallel to and c. 15m back from, the road frontage along with two others on perpendicular alignments. These have been interpreted as tenement boundary ditches, delineating individual plots making up a high medieval ribbon development along the medieval road frontage. A pit and post-hole of similar date were also recorded indicating the site�s potential for the preservation of structural evidence in addition to the boundaries. A single feature of 15th to 16th century date in the same trench suggested the potential for continuity of settlement evidence. Little disturbance to the road frontage appeared to have been caused by the range of light lean-to type buildings that had occupied it prior to recent demolition. Consequently it was recommended that an area c. 52m long by 15m wide along the road frontage be stripped for excavation. Project status: Complete Yes, Validated Yes Previous/Future Work: Previous No, Future Yes Associated Identifiers: HER event no. PSH 012 Planning Application No. C/03/0727 Sitecode PSH 012 NMR No. 1400088 Project Type: Field evaluation Development Type: Urban residential (e.g. flats, houses, etc.) Methods and Techniques: Targeted Trenches Position in the Planning Process: After full determination (eg. As a condition) Reason for Investigation: Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPG16 Current Land use: Vacant Land 1 - Vacant land previously developed Monument Type(s)/Period(s): BOUNDARY DITCH Medieval PROJECT LOCATION Area 8000.00 Square metres Grid Reference: TM35586915 Point PROJECT CREATOR(S) Brief originator: Local Authority Archaeologist and/or Planning Authority/advisory body Design originator: Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, Field Team Director/Manager: Rhodri Gardner Supervisor: Rhodri Gardner DIGITAL ARCHIVE Recipient: AHDS Contents: Stratigraphic Media: Images raster / digital photography, Text PAPER ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR Contents: Animal Bones, Ceramics, Metal, Stratigraphic, Worked stone/lithics Media: Context sheet, Drawing, Map, Miscellaneous Material, Plan, Report, Section PHYSICAL ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR Contents: Animal Bones, Ceramics, Metal, Worked stone/lithics BIBLIOGRAPHY Publication Type: Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Title: Former Smythe Works, Church Street, Peasenhall Author(s)/Editor(s): Gardner, R. Other Bibliographic Details: SCCAS Report No. 2004/93 Date: 2004 Issuer/Publisher: SCCAS Field Team Place of Issue or Publication: Ipswich Description: Unpublished 'grey' evaluation report. A4 ring bound.