Land at Hunters Moon, Easton Lane, Chippenham, Wiltshire - Post-excavation Assessment

Wessex Archaeology

This report records the results of an archaeological excavation. Archaeologically significant features were predominantly confined to two of the excavated areas: Area 1a and Area 2. Area 1a contained a ring ditch, which probably represented the remains of an earlier Bronze Age round barrow. A small quantity of re-deposited cremated human bone recovered from the ditch may have derived from a disturbed grave within its interior. The ditch was superimposed over an earlier, small oval/open ended enclosure gully of uncertain date or function. Many small pits and postholes, some of which contained late prehistoric pottery, were distributed around these features.

Area 2 contained an incomplete ring gully, which was associated with several postholes. These appeared to form the remains of a late prehistoric circular structure, or roundhouse. The ring gully contained another smaller curvilinear, or C-shaped gully of less certain function. Numerous other pits and postholes were also encountered in this area. Little dateable cultural material was recovered from the features, although prehistoric/late prehistoric pottery was present in small quantities.

The few archaeological features in the remaining excavation areas were predominantly thought to be related to the development of the late post-medieval agricultural landscape or were undated and could not be accurately characterised.