Land South of A379, Newcourt, Exeter, Devon: Archaeological investigation

Archaeological investigations on land south of the A379, Newcourt, Exeter, identified activity of Mesolithic, Bronze Age, and post-medieval to modern date. The majority of features contained no dating evidence, but it is likely that many result from prehistoric activity on the site. Three pits, with holes dug into their bases, were identified as Mesolithic in origin, on the basis of two radiocarbon determinations from one of the pits (7050-6769 cal BC and 7036-6700 cal BC). A group of Bronze Age pottery, of 1625-1465 cal BC date, had been placed in a pit in the north-west of the site. A vessel deposited in a ditch in the south-east of the site is broadly of Middle Bronze Age date. A second ditch ran perpendicular to this ditch and was probably contemporary with it. Three round pits showing signs of burning - possibly from a domestic use such as an oven - were also revealed. Although undated, a prehistoric use is likely. Scattered across the whole excavation area were numerous pits and possible postholes; no structure or date could be ascertained for these.

对埃克塞特（Exeter）市纽科特（Newcourt）区域A379公路以南地块开展的考古调查，发现了中石器时代（Mesolithic）、青铜时代（Bronze Age）以及后中世纪至近现代的人类活动遗存。绝大多数考古遗迹未附带年代测定佐证，但其中多数大概率属于该遗址的史前人类活动遗存。其中3座底部带有掏挖孔洞的坑体，经其中1座坑体的2次放射性碳测年（radiocarbon determination）结果（校准公元前7050-6769年 cal BC与校准公元前7036-6700年 cal BC），被确定为中石器时代遗存。遗址西北部的1座坑体内出土了一组年代为校准公元前1625-1465年 cal BC的青铜时代陶器。遗址东南部的1条沟壕内出土的1件陶器，年代大致属于中青铜时代。另有一条沟壕与该沟壕呈垂直分布，二者年代大概率同期。本次发掘还揭露了3座带有燃烧痕迹的圆形坑体，其功能或为灶类等生活设施。尽管未测定确切年代，但该类遗迹大概率属于史前时期遗存。整个发掘区域内散布着大量坑体与疑似柱洞（posthole）遗迹，目前无法确定其建筑形制与具体年代。