Monument record LCS 221 - Prehistoric activity at Johnson's Farm, Leiston

2016: A geophysical survey revealed trace evidence of potential archaeological remains. There was clear evidence of below ground archaeology related to the site of Johnson's Farm, its former access trackway and two ponds recorded on historic mapping. Possible traces of ridge and furrow were also found, along with modern land drains (S1).

2017: Trial Trench Excavation following the geophysical survey confirmed the presence of below-ground remains. Prehistoric finds include 19 pieces of struck flint of Neolithic-Bronze Age date, one of which was a retouched end scraper, the scraper was possibly hafted, and it is likely to be Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date. Evidence of Prehistoric pottery include sherds of Chalk-tempered ware, Flint-tempered ware, Grog-and-flint-tempered ware and Grog-tempered ware. The environmental samples idicate the presence of a mixed cereal economy, with the cultivation of free-threshing wheat, barley, rye and possibly pat as well as legumes (S2).

2020: An archaeological excavation was undertaken following the results of the evaluation. The earliest archaeology was represented by Early Neolithic treethrows in Area A, as well as a dispersed background of struck flints across the wider site. Middle Bronze Age activity was present in the form of a segmented ditched enclosure in the eastern part of Area A. Other features in the forms of pits and linear features were also dispersed across the sandier geology in the southern and eastern parts of site. A cluster of four cremations were excavated towards the northern part of the site, one of which contained a small fragment of gold.Early Iron Age activity consisted of two phases of field systems including a large-scale coaxial system, and a scatter of pits and postholes in the southern part of Area A and across Area B. (S3)