Archaeological Investigations at Broom Quarry, Bedfordshire: Phases 11-13. Post Excavation Assessment Volume 1

A series of archaeological excavations were undertaken by Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) ahead of gravel extraction at Broom Quarry, Broom, Bedfordshire on behalf of Lafarge Tarmac Ltd (formerly Tarmac Ltd). The work was carried out in four phases over the period 2007-2012, with excavations undertaken across an area totalling 11.7ha. Spanning the period between the Early Neolithic and the 6-7th century AD, seven main phases of activity have been identified, however, the main focus of the excavations comprised a substantial multi-phase Middle Iron Age settlement. A total of 24 roundhouses and 20 settlement enclosures were recorded belonging to at least three phases of Middle Iron Age settlement and representing a gradual shift from open settlement (roundhouses situated within an 'open' field system) to enclosed settlement. In addition some 870 pits were associated with the Middle Iron Age settlement. The pits particularly produced important finds assemblages including comparatively high numbers of 'special' deposits, amongst which a series of Associated Bone Groups are of particular significance