Land East of Firsfield. Bardwell, Suffolk (Phase 2): Cambridge Archaeological Unit Digital Archive

Between September and December 2025, Cambridge Archaeological Unit undertook Phase 2 of trenched evaluation of the land surrounding the Pilgrim Shed farmyard, east of Firsfield, Bardwell in Suffolk across eight agricultural fields (A–H). Overall, archaeological remains were limited, recorded in 94 of the 387 trenches of the scheme. A spread of calcined flint over an area of c. 30 square metres in the north of Field A was identified as the remnants of a Bronze Age burnt mound. Other Bronze Age features were represented by three features: two pits from Field B which produced Bronze Age pottery; and a ditch from Field D which yielded Bronze Age pottery. Iron Age features, almost exclusively Early Iron Age, were numerous but were widely dispersed. Early Iron Age pottery was found in two ditches and a pit from Field A, two ditches and three pits from Field B, two pits from Field C, a ditch and a pit from Field G, and two pits from Field H. These features likely represent broader scatters of pits and postholes and rural boundary ditches characteristic of occupation in this period. Activity which can firmly be attributed to the Roman period was limited. Two ditches and two suspected watering holes/pit wells or large ditches from Field A; a treethrow from Field B, a ditch from Field D and two pits from Field G produced Roman pottery. The post-medieval period was represented by two irregular features, either tree bowls or very deep plough scars which each yielded post-medieval ironwork. The digital archive comprises the WSI, the Evaluation Report and OASIS form, the context register, finds catalogue, specialist catalogues, original photographs included in the report; and the final site plan.