Excavations at Colne Fen, earith: Sites III and IV

The excavation of a major multi-period settlement complex (Site IV) and, Site III, probably some manner of Romano-British agricultural structure (i.e. animal pen), is reported. Aside from a Bronze Age ring-ditch (subsequently preserved in situ and therefore largely left unexcavated), the main occupation on Site IV is of Middle to Late Iron Age date. Including a possible square barrow (an inhumation was recovered nearby), at least 20 roundhouses of this date were excavated; two cremations were also recovered. The Iron Age settlement was crossed by later fieldsystem boundaries relating to the extensive Roman settlements known to lie on the terrace, and three roundhouses - of 'out-field' association (i.e. non- residential) - can also be attributed to this later usage