More information : Centred TF 124 078. An extensive complex of monuments at Maxey was revealed by air observation and photography. The main features include: henges; cursus; pits; ring-ditches; farmsteads and enclosures; droveways; pit-alignments. The RCHME publication 'A Matter of Time' drew archaeological attention to the threat of gravel extraction to this complex site (See Map Diagram). (1, 1a,1b,1c)
A series of rescue excavations in advance of gravel extraction have taken place at Maxey:
J Alexander in 1958
WG Simpson between 1962-3
A Warhurst circa 1964
F Pryor between 1979-81
The 1979-81 excavations by Pryor involved extensive open areas following detailed surveys. A total of nine phases dating from the Neolithic to the 4th century AD were outlined. (See child records for details of the individual monuments and phases). (2-9, 11-21)
Maxey was visited by Baird, OS Field Investigator in 1968 who reported 'The area is almost entirely arable land. No visible remains.' (10)
TF 115079 (Cambs 191) An AP site east of Lolham Hall and (TF 112077) (Cambs 245) ring ditches and other cropmark sites south of Lolham Hall were scheduled in 1977. (15)
This record has been recast to allow more detailed indexing of the excavated features. (22)
In 1997, during the course of the project RCHME: Industry and
Enclosure in the Neolithic (Etton Causewayed Enclosure), RCHME Aerial
Survey undertook a computer-aided transcription of the Maxey Complex
area at a scale of 1:10,000 in order to show the causewayed enclosure
(TF 10 NW 51) in a wider context with approximately contemporary
features. Additional records for some unexcavated features in the
Maxey Complex area have been created as a result. (23)
Additional aerial reconnaissance photography shows four ring ditches centred at TF 1159 0760, and a linear pit alignment extending from TF 1157 0786 to TF 1158 0740 where it forks off to the west and south-east. Another pit alignment is visible at TF 1164 0717.
(24-25) |