Earlier Prehistoric Activity and a Later Iron Age and Roman Field System at Beacon Lagoons, Kilnsea, East Riding of Yorkshire

Abstract

An archaeological strip, map and record exercise on behalf of the Environment Agency was undertaken as part of the Easington Wetlands Project. The excavations revealed earlier prehistoric activity, probably representing seasonal occupation at times of the year when intermittently available resources were abundant. This activity is dated by predominantly later Neolithic and early Bronze Age flints, two Bronze Age radiocarbon dates and later Bronze Age pottery. A Romano-British field system that may have had Iron Age origins was also identified. The pottery assemblage suggests the field system was in use up to the fourth century ad.

Keywords:

• Neolithic
• Bronze Age
• Roman
• flints
• pottery
• wetland

Acknowledgements

The project, undertaken by staff of Archaeological Services WYAS, was funded by the Environment Agency and monitored by the Humber Archaeology Partnership. Excavations were supervised by Phil Weston and managed by Jane Richardson. All site illustrations were undertaken by Jon Prudhoe. This report has been edited by Ian Roberts. Archaeological Services WYAS would like to thank Jen Richards, Ed Wilson and Tim Cobb of the Environment Agency, and Dave Evans of the Humber Archaeology Partnership for their assistance throughout this project.

While summaries of relevant specialist reports are included here, copies of all specialist contributions are held with the site archive, which has been deposited with the East Riding of Yorkshire Museum Service at Sewerby Hall (Accession number: 2011/24). The original client report, which includes the full specialist reports, has also been deposited with the Archaeology Data Service as part of their OASIS programme.