Monument Number 1030952 |
| Hob Uid: 1030952 | |
Location :
City of Peterborough
Maxey
|
| Grid Ref : TF1290007480 |
| Summary : A group of ring ditches visible as cropmarks on air photographs, but originally noted as dark rings on the freshly scraped surface immediately prior to gravel extraction in 1971. Emergency recording and some excavation showed that much had already gone before recording could take place. Seven ring ditches were recorded, with internal diameters ranging from 12 feet 5 inches to 97 feet. One featured remains of a central cremation, while another featured two secondary cremations within the enclosed area and three more outside it. One of the sites featured a double ring ditch. The largest apparently featured four irregularly-placed causeways around the circumference but only animal bones were recovered from this site. This last is presumably the large enclosure at TF 1284 0753, which was located a short distance to the north of the remainder, which according to air photograph evidence seems to have comprised 7, not 6 additional ring ditches. Four pits investigated in the area proved to be of Iron Age date. |
More information : (TF 12900748) The multi-period site at Maxey was discovered by
Dr. J.K.St. Joseph from aerial photography (see TF 10 NW 1 for
an outline of the main features). Complex cropmarks of ring
ditches, linears and enclosures at Maxey were plotted in the 1956
RCHME survey. (1)
In 1971 emergency recording with minimal excavation was
undertaken on a group of ring-ditches. The site was reported by
the quarry manager after he noticed dark rings on freshly scraped
gravel deposits. The features that remained were very shallow.
The seven ring ditches recorded ranged in internal diameter from
12ft to 97ft:
- a primary cremation burial at the centre of one ring ditch.
- two secondary cremation burials inserted a second ring ditch
with a further three cremations located outside.
- A double ring ditch may represent a two phase monument.
- The largest ring ditch had four irregularly placed causeways
and contained only animal bone. (2)
Seven ring-ditches ranging in diameter from 13 feet to 107 feet
were discovered during surface clearance in advance of gravel
extraction at TF 127077. The largest ring-ditch may have
surrounded a henge monument. Six cremation burials were found
in, or on the edge of, two of the ring-ditches. Four pits were
found on the site, all probably Iron Age.(3,4)
General references. (5,6) |