Monument record MDR801 - Ring ditch and other features, Foston and Scropton
Type and Period (4)
- LINEAR FEATURE (Unknown date)
- RING DITCH (Early Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 1501 BC)
- RING DITCH (Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
- CREMATION (Early Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 1501 BC)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
On the southern periphery of the disused airfield are linear features and at least 2 ring ditches alongside one another. The ditches probably represent field systems and the ring ditches ploughed out burial mounds. (1-3)
Geophysical survey confirmed the existence of various features in this area, some of which were thought to be of archaeological interest, including a ring ditch, a 'strong linear feature' and two curved features. Others were thought to be possibly geological in origin. (4)
In March 1993 one of the ring ditches was excavated prior to the construction of the A564 Foston-Hilton-Hatton bypass. Two phases were recorded. Radiocarbon dates indicative of an early Bronze Age date were obtained from the fill of the Phase 1 ditch and from a nearby small circular pit, interpreted as a satellite cremation. Radiocarbon determinations suggesting a middle to late Saxon date were obtained from the fill of the Phase 2 ditch. The only artefacts recovered were a single pottery sherd, probably dating to the early Bronze Age, and three flint flakes. In addition to the ring ditch, numerous small sandy-filled features were identified and examined. These were found to contain no organic material or artefacts and were probably natural in origin. (5)
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SDR1121 Aerial Photograph: Pickering, J. 1979. SF1782-28.
- <2> SDR1003 Aerial Photograph: NMR SK2031-1.
- <3> SDR13271 Bibliographic reference: Purcell, F. 1988. A Preliminary Investigation of Aerial Archaeology along the Lower Dove Valley.
- <4> SDR19012 Unpublished document: Stratascan. 1993. A Report for T&PAT on Geophysical Survey carried out at Foston - Hatton - Hilton Bypass, Borrowpits.
- <5> SDR18979 Article in serial: Hughes, G & Jones, L (BUFAU). 1995. 'The excavation of a ring-ditch at Foston in the Dove Valley, 1993', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 115, pp 136-142.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 203 313 (395m by 277m) Approximate |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | FOSTON AND SCROPTON, SOUTH DERBYSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- EDR1689
- EDR1661
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jun 14 2022 11:03AM