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Monument Types

• CAUSEWAYED ENCLOSURE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2501 BC)

Summary

A Neolithic causewayed enclosure, discovered in 1998 via geophysical survey, with subsequent trial trenching. The enclosure consists of an inner and outer ditch with some interruptions (causeways). Evidence was found for possible associated structural remains. The site was Scheduled in 2001.

Additional Information

Scheduled Monument description:
The monument includes the buried remains of a prehistoric causewayed enclosure and its associated features, located upon land west of Wheler Lodge Farm. The monument lies mostly on a gentle south west facing slope bordered by a stream to the north west. The underlying geology consists of glacial sands and gravels. Geophysical survey and partial excavations, undertaken in advance of gravel extraction in 1998, located a large causewayed enclosure, including two roughly circular, concentric interrupted ditches. The ditches lie within 30m of each other and enclose an area of 1.5ha, with a minimum internal diameter of 130m. The excavation also confirmed the presence of surviving associated structural remains, including pits and other smaller ditches cut into the natural sand and gravel lying both inside the enclosed area and immediately outside the outer ditch. The excavations demonstrated that the majority of the features dated to the Neolithic period, although there were also some indications of later prehistoric activity. Field walking in the area in advance of development also located concentrations of flint material, suggesting activity during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. The archaeological remains survive below a thin layer of topsoil at a depth of 0.30m. Excavations confirmed that the outer ditch survives to a depth of over 1.20m. In profile it has steep sloping edges leading to almost vertical lower sides. The ditch is broken into irregular sided, curving segments terminating in blunt endings between causeways. A concentration of larger pebbles immediately to the interior of the outer ditch to the south was interpreted as an internal bank, and a line of post holes which appeared to be following the outer ditch is thought to be a timber revetment to the bank to provide stability. The excavations also revealed episodes of deliberate infilling, as well as natural silting of the ditch followed by later recutting. Finds from the fill of the ditch included several flint artefacts and charcoal, as well as fragments of Ebbsfleet Ware pottery, which securely date the final use of the ditch to the late Neolithic period. A number of other archaeological features were identified outside the enclosure. These included a small circular pit with steep sides and a flat, slightly sloping base, which contained a large amount of charcoal, but no firm dating evidence. The pit is included in the scheduling.

<1> Liddle, P, 1997, An archaeological assessment of an area near Wheler Lodge Farm, Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire (Unpublished document). SLE1658.

Fieldwalking in 1997 recovered a large amount of worked flint (see MLE9424).

<2> Butler, A, 1998, A geophysical survey of an area near Wheler Lodge Farm. Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire (Unpublished document). SLE1667.

Geophysical survey in 1998 recorded two parallel ditches (the western side of the enclosure).

<3> Clay, Patrick, 1999, An archaeological evaluation for the proposed Husbands Bosworth Quarry Extension, Leicestershire (Unpublished document). SLE1664.

Magnetic susceptibility and fluxgate gradiometer surveys were carried out with the primary objective of defining the extent of the enclosure and any associated remains. The outer circuit of the enclosure was located and other anomalies associated with a possible ring ditch, ditched enclosure and pits were detected. Further anomalies such as two pits and a possible ditch were detected away from the core site. (CJW 24/06/99)

<4> Thomas, John, 1999, An archaeological evaluation on land west of Wheler Lodge Farm, Welford Road, Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire (Unpublished document). SLE1700.

Trial trenching confirmed the existence of a large interrupted ditched enclosure. Three trial trenches revealed evidence of large discontinuous linear features which displayed characteristic gaps or 'causeways' between segments. Trench 1 contained a sample of Late Neolithic pottery and flint artefacts from the upper fill, providing a date for the demise of the monument. Trench 2 located a portion of the outer ditch circuit and a gap in the inner circuit. Trench 3 proved the continuation of anomalies into Field 3 where a portion of the inner and outer enclosures was found. Surrounding features indicate extensive activity both inside and outside of the enclosure. Limited excavation showed surviving structural evidence, pits and smaller ditches. (MC 11/03/99)

<5> Butler, A, 2000, A geophysical survey for the Husbands Bosworth Quarry Extension, Leicestershire (Unpublished document). SLE1662.

Further geophysical surveys were undertaken in 2000 with the objective of detecting archaeological features outside the known causewayed enclosure. Magnetic anomalies reflecting buried ditches and pits and possibly two Bronze Age round barrows were defined. (CJW 28/09/00)

<6> Butler, A, 2000, A geophysical survey for the Husbands Bosworth Quarry extension Field 6 (Unpublished document). SLE1668.

See <5>

<7> Parker, Matthew, 2013, Early Prehistoric Pottery: A Case Study From Leicestershire, p36-8 (Unpublished document). SLE6068.

Impressed Wares (3500-2500 BC) were recovered alongside transverse arrowheads in the upper ditch fills. Similar monuments have been radiocarbon dated; Briar Hill in Northampton has a construction date of 4170 to 3335/4250 to 3355 cal BC (95% probability). Since the Impressed Wares have come from the upper ditch fills they could be assigned to the terminal use of the monument.

<8> Husbands Bosworth parish council, 2020, Husbands Bosworth Neighbourhood Plan - referendum version (2018-31, p34-35, Fig 6.1 (Neighbourhood Plan). SLE6792.

A location map identifying non-designated local heritage assets in the Husbands Bosworth Neighbourhood Plan.

Sources

Associated Finds

• BLADE (Late Mesolithic to Early Neolithic - 7000 BC to 3001 BC)
• BLADE CORE (Late Mesolithic to Early Neolithic - 7000 BC to 3001 BC)
• BORER (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• CORE (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• DEBITAGE (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• END SCRAPER (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• FLAKE (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• RETOUCHED FLAKE (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• SCRAPER (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
• SHERD (Late Neolithic - 3000 BC to 2501 BC)
• TRANSVERSE ARROWHEAD (Late Neolithic - 3000 BC to 2501 BC)
• THUMB NAIL SCRAPER (Early Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 1501 BC)

Designations

• Scheduled Monument 1019477: CAUSEWAYED ENCLOSURE 175M WEST OF WHELER LODGE FARM

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