The Archaeology of Brigg's Farm, Prior's Fen, Thorney, Peterborough

An open area excavation of 10ha was carried out a Brigg's Farm, Thorney between August andDecember 2008. The site was located in an archaeologically significant area close to theexcavations of Fengate, Eye Quarry, Tower's Fen and Pode Hole. The site lay on the northernside of the Flag Fen basin on the edge of Thorney island at between 0.3m OD and 2.3m OD.The excavation revealed remains dating from the Neolithic through to the Middle Bronze Age.There is potential for Iron Age activity but this is yet to be confirmed. Post-Medieval agricultural ditches known locally as claying or marl ditches extended across the whole site.Neolithic occupation evidence was present in the form of flint scatters, small pits and finds within tree boles. A small number of Beaker pits were also present. Early Bronze Age remains were more extensive and included Collared Urn pits and a barrow with three associated cremation burials (four individuals) and an inhumation. Three further isolated cremations burials including one placed in a large urn were also discovered.
An extensive Middle Bronze Age field system formed of ditches and banks typical of this areawas set out using the topographical influences as well as the earlier monuments. A subsequentMiddle Bronze Age settlement occupied the higher ground at the northern limits of the site. Thesettlement included a large and deep-ditched rectangular enclosure with a small internalsubdivision. To the north a small enclosure contained at least two post hole structures. A furtherpossible round house was located to the east. A large assemblage of Deverel-Rimbury potteryand fired clay objects associated with salt making were recovered from three locations acrosssite.Two large as yet undated roundhouses with Iron Age characteristics appeared to be locatedwithin the Middle Bronze Age settlement area. There is currently no evidence of Later BronzeAge activity on the site.