Untitled - Council for British Archaeology

Grubenhaus 11, 4.00m x 2.40m (Fig.21)
Over thirty lired and unfired annular clay loomweights
were found lying just above the base of this very shallow
irregular structure.
Pit 2, (Fig.21)
This deep, irregular, pit was unusual for the site
inasmuch as it contained large pockets of ash and charcoal,
one of which contained part of a small open bowl with three
pierced lugs as well as a number of other decorated sherds.
Discussion
Apart from the structures described above, few other
Saxon features have been identified. The most obvious are
the three shallow 'IV shaped gulleys rûnning roughly
parallel with each other in a north-west/south-east
direction across enclosure 2. Interpretation as part
of a droveway is made difficult by the fact that two
of them cross.
.Ali the grubenhauser lie on an approximate east-west
alignment with the exception of Cl and G2 which, with their
large size and internal ledges, suggest a different phase
and, possibly, function.
Only limited excavation of post-holes was possible
in the time allowed. Small Saxon post holes were present,
as were several possible shallow timber slots, although
no definite timber halls are discernible. The dispersed
pattern of the sunken-featured structures spread over
several acres and stretching over 200 metres does suggest
that larger, more substantial buildings were once present.
Saxon finds from the site include the usual proportions
of spinning and weaving equipment, as well as a number of
stamped sherds and grass-tempered sherds suggesting a sixth
to seventh century date for the settlement.
Although it cannot be certain that under, the conditions
of development a substantial segment of the Saxon site has
not been overlooked, the general impression given by the
plans is of a small, dispersed, short-lived pagan Saxon.
-village occupying a gravelly spur overlooking the Ouzel
valley. No standard form or nucleus for the settlement
can be traced. Without an extensive environmental study
it is impossible to ascertain what form the surrounding
landscape would have taken, although careful consideration
of the faunal evidence may indicate what farming and husbandry
practices were undertaken. No évidence whatsoever is forthcoming
from the site as to the reason for the discontinuity
of occupation in the Middle Saxon period.
Development in early 1980 will destroy what remains of
the excavated site. It is planned to excavate the adjacent
area to the south-east in the 1980 excavation season to
complete the site plan.
- 73 -