Marston Quarry No. 1, Lincolnshire. An Archaeological Investigation.

Four phases of archaeological investigations conducted by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit at Baston No.1 Quarry in south Lincolnshire during 2014-15 revealed considerable activity dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. The investigation area covered 148,643sqm (14.8ha). No pre-Early Bronze Age activity was identified. Associated with Collard Urn pottery, Early Bronze Age pits and postholes were found across a linear swathe of features. Two small post-defined structures were assigned to this phase, with one bearing sherds of Collard Urn pottery. A large oval palisaded enclosure was also assigned to this phase on account of a provisional radiocarbon determination from a charcoal sample dated to the sixteenth century BC. This date may be aligned with the latest use of Collard Urn, and the architecture of the palisade is unparalleled for this period. Its use, whilst not beyond question, may be connected to ceremonial and funerary activities. The landscape usage was fundamentally realigned during the Middle Bronze Age with Deverel-Rimbury ware being the dominant potting tradition. This comprised extensive coaxial ditched field boundaries superseded by a larger series of interrupted ditches in a curvilinear system. Although perhaps first established with the coaxial field system, the curvilinear ditched system was diverted around an existing ring ditch and cremation cemetery, affording a stand-off in excess of 140m. The south side of this was formed of a droveway. To the east of this, on the landscape’s fen-side, were at least twelve post-defined circular and rectangular structures – two with adjoining fencelines – with additional four- and six- post structures. In association with these, though not always in direct proximity, were pits and postholes with a number of large pit wells. The latter of these contained waterlogged deposits that included worked timbers. Three clusters of features were each arranged around what may be regarded as ‘working areas’, within which material deposits included burnt stone, animal bone and briquetage. Three pairs of linear pits or ‘tanks’ may have been used in processes of salt production and retting. A single crouched human burial was recorded, with three cow burials, although the dating of these is unconfirmed. Post-Deverel-Rimbury pottery was recovered from upper fills of only a few earlier features, with just one small pit securely assigned to this later Bronze Age phase. The Middle Bronze Age field system may still have existed via hedgerows, but increased saline conditions appear to have attracted less direct activity than in previous phases. Post-Medieval features represent the only post-Bronze Age activity; these relating to an agricultural landscape