LAND AT M1 JUNCTION 21A GLENFIELD AND KIRBY MUXLOE

LEICESTERSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

For

PEGASUS PLANNING

on behalf of

WILSON BOWDEN DEVELOPMENTS

CA PROJECT: 2946 CA REPORT: 09157

JULY 2010

LAND AT M1 JUNCTION 21A GLENFIELD AND KIRBY MUXLOE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

CA PROJECT: 2946 CA REPORT: 09157

prepared by Kelly Saunders, Project Officer

date 7 July 2010

checked by Laurent Coleman, Project Manager

date 7 July 2010

approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

signed 7 July 2010

date

issue 02

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, , GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS ...... 6

3. DISCUSSION...... 14

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 15

5. REFERENCES ...... 15

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 17 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 24 APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 26 APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 28

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features (1:2500) Fig. 3 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features (1:1000) Fig. 4 Trenches 1 and 15; plans and sections (1:200 & 1:20) Fig. 5 Trenches 17 and 18; plans and sections (1:200 & 1:20) Fig. 6 Trenches 21 and 24; plans and sections (1:200 & 1:20) Fig. 7 Trench 26; plan and sections (1:200 & 1:20) Fig. 8 Pottery deposit within pit 18005 Fig. 9 Cauldron exposed within ditch 24003

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at M1 Junction 21a Location: Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire NGR: SK 5305 0520 Type: Evaluation Date: 14-24 September 2009 Location of Archive: To be deposited with County Council Heritage Services Accession Number: X.A130.2009 Site Code: LAN 09

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in September 2009 on land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, 27 trenches were excavated.

The fieldwork identified archaeological features across the majority of the current evaluation area. A single possible Bronze Age pit and a number of Middle Iron Age features were identified within the central part of the evaluation area. A number of the Middle Iron Age features contained large quantities of pottery and a ditch dating to this period contained the remains of metal vessel.

Evidence for limited Roman activity was identified within the southern part of the evaluation area. Features relating to the agricultural use of this site during the medieval and post- medieval periods were also identified.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In September 2009 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Pegasus Planning on behalf of Wilson Bowden Developments on Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire (centred on NGR: SK 5305 0520; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken as part of a programme of archaeological works required prior to the determination of a planning application for the development of the site as employment.

1.2 Discussions between CA and Mr Richard Clark, Senior Planning Archaeologist and Ms Lucy Griffin, Planning Archaeologist, Leicestershire County Council (LCC), the archaeological advisors to District Council, had indicated that a programme of archaeological works, including evaluation, would be required prior to the determination of a planning application for the development of the site. A subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) was produced by CA (2009a) and approved by Mr Clark. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation issued by the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) (2008), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Managers Guide (English Heritage 2006). It was monitored by Mr Clark, including a site visit on the 22nd September.

The site 1.3 The site is approximately 63ha in area, and comprises four parcels of agricultural land to the north of Junction 21A of the M1 Motorway. The western edge of the site is bounded by the M1 and the A46, and the parcels are divided by the B5380 and the A46 link road. The area covered by the current evaluation lies immediately to the east of the B5380 and is approximately 12ha in area (Fig. 1). The site lies between 82 and 76m AOD, with the ground sloping down towards the north, and is currently under arable cultivation.

1.4 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Mercia Mudstone of the Triassic era, which is overlain by Glacial Boulder clay (BGS 1982, 1975). The natural substrate, comprising mid brown red sandy clay, was identified throughout the evaluation area.

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Archaeological background 1.5 The archaeological potential of the site has been investigated in an archaeological Desk Based Assessment (DBA) by Cotswold Archaeology (CA 2009b), summarised below. Prehistoric and Romano-British settlement and funerary activity (including a Bronze Age barrow) has been recorded to the west of the current evaluation area (LAU 1993). Late Bronze Age activity has also been identified to the south-east of the site (Tura 1982).

1.6 The putative line of the Via Devana Roman road crosses north-west/south-east through the northern area of the site (outside the current evaluation area) and there may be potential for remains of this to survive below ground (Margary 1973). Conceivably, there may also be potential for associated road-side settlement adjacent to the Roman Road.

1.7 In addition, Roman kiln material has been recovered during surface collection within the southern part of the site but no kiln sites have been identified to date (LAU 1995)

1.8 Medieval activity in the vicinity appears to have been focused outside the site, at Glenfield to the east and Kirby Muxloe to the west (CA 2009b). Now-removed medieval ridge and furrow earthworks are visible within the site on 1940s aerial photographs and a limited amount of medieval surface material has been recorded within the site. A small area of extant ridge and furrow survives in the central area of the site.

1.9 Detailed magnetometry geophysical survey was carried out over suitable areas of the southern three parcels of the site in May and June 2009 (Pre-Construct Geophysics 2009). Anomalies with the greatest potential to represent archaeological features were identified in the centre of the current evaluation area, to the north-east of a known area of prehistoric settlement. The strongest of these comprised a possible ring ditch, c. 20m in diameter and containing a possible area of burning. Other weaker anomalies in the same field potentially represented similar features. Roman kiln material has previously been recorded during field walking within the site and the potential for the presence of a pottery production site was highlighted in the DBA. Given this potential, a number of anomalies which could represent kiln sites were tentatively identified in the geophysical survey. However, these anomalies could equally represent post-medieval/modern dumps of miscellaneous ceramic material (Pre-Construct Geophysics 2009, 4).

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1.10 A number of weaker anomalies, potentially representing pits and a small number of potential ditches, were also identified, predominantly in the central and eastern parts of the evaluation area, although a natural origin for these features was also thought possible (Pre-Construct Geophysics 2009, 4). Anomalies associated with the below- ground remains of ridge and furrow earthworks were identified in the central and eastern areas of the evaluation area (Pre-Construct Geophysics 2009, 6). Many of these corresponded with earthworks visible on historic aerial photographs. The geophysical survey also identified an anomaly consistent with brick-infilling of a putative quarry site visible on historic aerial photographs.

Archaeological objectives 1.11 The objectives of the evaluation were to establish the character, quality, date and extent of any archaeological remains or deposits surviving within the site. This information will assist Council in making an informed judgement on the significance of the archaeological resource, and the likely impact upon it of the proposed development.

Methodology 1.12 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 27 trenches each measuring 50m in length by 1.8m in width, in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). The trenches targeted anomalies identified during the geophysical survey and blank areas.

1.13 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.14 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003). Four Bulk environmental samples were recovered from archaeological deposits, and three have been subject to processing. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately After Excavation (1995).

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1.15 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Leicester County Council Heritage Services under accession number X.A130.2009, along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix D, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-9)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts, finds and environmental samples (palaeoenvironmental evidence) are to be found in Appendices A, B and C respectively.

General Stratigraphy 2.2 The natural geological substrate within each of the trenches comprised a brown red sandy clay with pale green lenses. The natural substrate was overlain by a silty clay subsoil c. 0.2m in thickness that was in turn overlain by a sandy silt topsoil c. 0.3m in thickness. All identified archaeological features cut the natural substrate. Within the north-western part of the evaluation area colluvial deposits up to 0.4m thick were identified.

2.3 No features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified within trenches 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 25.

Trench 1 (Figs 2 & 4) 2.4 Four probable pits/ditch terminals were identified towards the south-eastern end of the trench. Pit/ditch terminal 1004 contained two sherds of Romano-British pottery within its single fill, 1005. Pits/ditch terminals 1006, 1008 and 1010 were not excavated. These features were not depicted by the geophysical survey.

Trench 5 (Fig 2) 2.5 Possible quarry pit 5003 was located towards the northern end of the trench. Two fills were identified, the upper one, 5004, contained 16 sherds of pottery dating to the 3rd to 4th centuries AD, and five fragments of CBM. This feature was at least

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7.8m in width and extended to the east and west of the evaluation trench. This feature did not correspond with any geophysical anomaly.

Trench 11 (Fig 2 & 3) 2.6 Ditch 11003 was orientated north-east/south-west and corresponded to the location and alignment of a field boundary first depicted on a map of 1873, it was not excavated. The field boundary was identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 15 (Figs 2, 3 & 4) 2.7 Ditches 15007 and 15011 were identified at the north-eastern end of the trench. Ditch 15007 was orientated north-east/south-west and contained three fills, the second of which, 15009, contained 21 sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery. Ditch 15011 lay immediately to the east, and was orientated north-west/south-east. It contained two fills, primary fill 15012 contained 83 sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery, as well as burnt bone, flint, and stone, and fired clay. Although these ditches intersected, no stratigraphic relationship between these features could be identified. Ditch 15003 was orientated north-west/south-east and was located at the south- western end of the trench. It contained three fills, none of which contained any dating evidence. Immediately to the north-east, and parallel to it, lay ditch 15014, along with north/south orientated gully 15016. These features were not excavated. Ditches 15007 and 15011 corresponded to linear anomalies identified during the geophysical survey. The geophysical survey depicted a continuation of the anomaly represented by ditch 15007 within trench 14. This was not identified during the evaluation.

Trench 16 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.8 Six postholes were identified towards the north-western end of the trench. Two of the postholes, 16007 and 16009, intersected but no stratigraphic relationship could be identified. Posthole 16005 contained a post pipe, the profile of which suggested that the post had been vertically driven. Posthole 16013 was not excavated, no dating material was recovered from any of these features.

Trench 17 (Figs 2, 3 & 5) 2.9 At the centre of the trench lay pit 17016 which contained two fills. The lower fill, 17015, was partially excavated and did not contain any dating evidence. The upper fill, 17014, contained ten sherds of prehistoric pottery. Towards the western end of the trench lay ditch 17005 which was orientated north/south. This ditch had a ‘U’-

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shaped profile, and contained two fills. Secondary fill 17007 contained three sherds of prehistoric pottery. It was later re-cut by ditch 17008 which contained a single undated fill.

2.10 Five postholes, 17019, 17010, 17012, 17017 and 17003, were also identified within the trench. A flint bladelet was recovered from posthole 17019 and posthole 17003 may have corresponded to a possible pit depicted identified by the geophysical survey. The possible kiln site depicted by the geophysical survey at the western end of the trench was not identified.

Trench 18 (Fig 2, 3, 5 and 8) 2.11 Ditch 18002 was located towards the western end of the trench, was orientated north/south and had a flat base. Single fill 18003 contained burnt and un-burnt bone and a flint flake.

2.12 Towards the centre of the trench lay pit/ditch terminal 18005. Lower fill 18007 contained numerous sherds of pottery, possibly representing the remains of a complete vessel (Fig. 8), and was not excavated. The upper fill, 18006 contained a total of 321 sherds of pottery dating to the Middle Iron Age and a sample taken from this fill <1> contained burnt and un-burnt bone, charcoal and a small quantity of magnetic material.

2.13 Three postholes, 18008, 18016 and 18014 were identified at the western end of the trench, 18008 and 18016 were excavated but contained no dating evidence. Pits 18010 and 18012 were also located at the western end of the trench and single fill 18011 of pit 18010 contained seven sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery. Ditch 18002 was parallel to an anomaly identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 19 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.14 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 19003 was located at the south-western end of the trench. It corresponded to a field boundary (and parish boundary) first depicted on an 18th / early 19th century map (Fig. 2) which has now been removed.

Trench 20 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.15 Pit 20003 was identified towards the south-eastern end of the trench. The single fill, 20004 contained fragments of burnt clay and four sherds of pottery dating to the Middle Iron Age. This feature was not identified by the geophysical survey.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 21 (Figs 2, 3 & 6) 2.16 Four ditches and five pits were identified within this trench. Ditches 21003 and 21010, located at the western and eastern ends of the trench respectively, were both ‘U’ shaped in profile and orientated north/south. The fourth fill, 21007, of ditch 21003 (21007) contained 36 sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery as well as fired clay and burnt stone. An environmental sample <2> was recovered from 21006, the third fill of ditch 21003, and was found to contain charcoal, burnt animal bone, pottery, bunt and un-burnt flint, fired clay and magnetic material. Primary fill 21011 of ditch 21010 also contained 12 sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery, as well as fragments of a possible smithing hearth bottom and a fragment of hearth/furnace lining. Ditches, 21015 and 21021, were located at the centre of the trench, were orientated north- west/south-east and were not excavated.

2.17 Five pits were also identified within the trench, 21008 being the only one fully revealed. Upper fill 21009 of pit 21008 contained numerous sherds of pottery, possibly representing the remains of a complete vessel, and was not excavated. A single sherd was recovered during cleaning of the feature and was found to date to the Middle Iron Age. An environmental sample <3> was recovered from fill 21009 and was fount to contain burnt and un-burnt animal bone, fired clay, burnt flint and charcoal. Possible pits 21017 and 21019 were identified to the north-west and south-east of pit 21008, and together with 21008 these features may represent part of a pit alignment. Pit 21013 was identified at the western end of the trench and was not excavated.

2.18 Ditches 21003 and 21010 probably corresponded to anomalies, possibly representing a ring ditch, identified by the geophysical survey. The other features identified within the trench were not identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 22 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.19 Two pits, 22004 and 22006, were identified towards the south-western end of the trench. Pit 22004 was excavated and single fill 22003 contained five sherds of pottery of possible Bronze Age date together with flint flakes and a burnt stone pebble. The geophysical survey depicted two curvilinear anomalies, these were not identified within the trench.

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 23 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.20 A single pit, 23003, was identified within this trench. Primary fill 23005 comprised probable limestone lining material and five sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from the surface of secondary fill 23004 which was not excavated. A geophysical anomaly, which possibly represented an east/west orientated curvilinear feature was not identified within the trench.

Trench 24 (Figs 2, 3, 6 & 9) 2.21 Ditch 24003, orientated north-east/south-west was identified towards the eastern end of the trench. Excavation of the uppermost fill, 24004, of the ditch revealed the rim of a metal vessel (Fig. 9) c. 0.6m in diameter at 76.77m AOD. Detached fragments of the vessel comprising iron and copper alloy were recovered from fill 24004 which also contained 63 sherds of pottery dating to the Middle Iron Age, animal bone and burnt flint. Excavation of the ditch ceased once the rim of the metal vessel had been exposed.

2.22 A further ditch 24005 was orientated north/south, was identified towards the centre of the trench, was partially obscured by a furrow and was not excavated. Part of pit/ditch terminal 24007 was identified towards the western end of the trench and was not excavated. Ditch 24003 was parallel to, and on the same orientation as, the south eastern part of a possible ring ditch identified during the geophysical survey. The geophysical survey also identified two possible pits, these were not identified within the trench. Ditch 24005 and pit/ditch terminal 24007 were not identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 26 (Figs 2, 3 & 7) 2.23 Ditch 26003, orientated north-east/south-west, was located towards the south- eastern end of the trench and contained two fills. Secondary fill 26004 contained 12 sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery, as well as a small iron object (possibly a blade fragment), animal bone and burnt flint. A sample <4> was recovered from primary fill 26004 and contained pottery, fired clay, burnt and un-burnt animal bone, burnt flint, worked flint, seeds, charcoal and a small quantity of magnetic material.

2.24 A curvilinear gully, 26005/26007, was identified at the centre of the trench, no dating evidence was recovered from the excavated sections. Two north-east/south-west orientated ditches (26014, and 26016), two small pits (26012 and 26022) and a large amorphous pit (26010) were also identified but were not excavated. Ditch

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26003 corresponded to a linear anomaly depicted by the geophysical survey. The features identified at the centre of the trench may have corresponded to a curvilinear anomaly identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 27 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.25 Part of a possible ditch, 27003, was identified at the south-eastern edge of the trench, only one side of the feature was exposed, and no dating evidence was recovered from it. The geophysical survey identified anomalies possibly representing three pits in this area, these were not identified.

The Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence 2.26 Artefactual material including pottery, worked flint, metallurgical residues and fired clay was recovered from twenty deposits, with further quantities recovered as unstratified material (Appendix B). A large metal vessel was partially exposed on site and currently awaits lifting by a specialist conservator. A number of small detached fragments from this object are described briefly below.

2.27 Pottery mainly of Late Prehistoric type, amounts to 601 sherds (11.3kg). The bulk of material was hand-recovered, with 80 sherds retrieved following processing of soil sample <1>, a substantial proportion of the pottery derived from the fill of pit 18005 (fill 18006). A second large deposit of pottery (pit fill 21009) was left largely in situ with only a small sample collected to confirm its dating. The condition of the hand- recovered material is typically very good and there are substantially complete vessels from pit fill 18006. Mean sherd weight for the hand-collected pottery is high for a (largely) late Prehistoric group at 22 grams.

2.28 Detailed microscopic examination of pottery fabrics was not undertaken for this summary report. It is clear however that the larger part of the assemblage occurs in distinctive fabrics, characterised by inclusions of acid igneous rock (granite/granodiorite), almost certainly derived form the Mountsorrel area. Pottery utilising igneous inclusions are well-known from the area, beginning from the Middle Bronze Age, continuing throughout the Iron Age and emerging again in the early to Middle Anglo-Saxon period. Other fabrics (excepting the Roman material described below) are markedly scarce, confined to shell-tempered sherds from deposits 20004 and 22003 and a grog-tempered sherd also from 22003. The shell-tempered sherds are unlikely to be locally-made and may originate from areas with Jurassic era shelly limestones to the east or south.

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2.29 The (provisional) dating of the recovered pottery is set out in Appendix B. Due to the longevity of acid igneous rock-tempered fabrics, broad ‘prehistoric’ dating is indicated for some material where only smaller, unfeatured sherds occur. Material from pit 22004 (fill 22003) comprised a mix of bodysherds in acid igneous, shell- tempered and grog-tempered fabrics as well as a quantity of worked flint (below). Possible Bronze Age dating might be considered for this deposit, although the quantity of material is small.

2.30 The larger part of the assemblage, including the material in acid igneous fabrics, is characteristic of the Middle Iron Age (approximately 4th to 1st centuries BC). This is evident from the vessel forms and in particular from the distinctive scored decoration which is a feature of the Middle Iron Age across the region and certainly prevalent in the Leicester area (Elsdon 1992). All material of this type is hand-made and there are clear examples of coil-breaks noted from deposits 24004 and 15012. Where vessel form can be determined, most are jars of varying size and slack-shouldered barrel-shaped or rounded profile, commonly with short upright or slightly everted rims. Rim terminals are most often simple or expanded externally and there is one example from 18006 with fingertip impressions. Bases may be simple/flat or with expanded base angle. The scored decoration occurs on up to half of vessels and varies from close-set and deep vertical strokes to wider-spaced, multi-directional straight or arcing strokes. The scoring tends to be confined below the rim zone, although a vessel from deposit 18006 features scoring extending to the rim upper. Other surface treatments noted in the assemblage are limited to one burnished vessel from pit fill 18006. This vessel, a probable bowl with rounded shoulder and high, slightly everted rim, occurs in a finer, sandy fabric without visible rock inclusions.

2.31 Pottery of Roman date was identified from quarry pit 5003 (fill 5004) and pit/ditch terminal 1004 (fill 1005). The larger group (from the former) which also included fragments of Roman tile or brick, consists of abraded sherds in reduced fabrics, a flagon handle in a whiteware fabric and a sherd of Lower Nene Valley Colour- Coated ware. The latter, which occurs as a thick-walled sherd often characteristic of later ‘coarseware’ type vessels, suggests later 3rd to 4th century dating. The two greyware sherds from feature 1005 are broadly dateable to the Roman period.

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2.32 A total of 19 pieces of prehistoric worked flint were recovered, the majority of which appears to be re-deposited within Iron Age-dated features or else unstratified. Raw material consists of unpatinated dark grey and honey-coloured flint. None of the recovered pieces exhibit secondary working and there are no firm indications of dating. A group from pit fill 22003 includes a flake and five irregular ‘shatter-pieces’ – some of which exhibit incipient bulbs of percussion from repeated pounding.

2.33 Metallurgical (ironworking) residues were recovered from secondary fill of ditch 21010 (deposit 21012) in the form of a probable smithing hearth bottom and a fragment of hearth/furnace lining. Middle Iron Age dating was suggested by associated pottery.

2.34 Objects of metal comprise a small, flat fragment of iron (registered artefact 1), possibly part of a blade, from ring gully fill 26004 and fragments detached from the metal vessel noted above from ditch 24003 (fill 24004). The vessel fragments are mainly of iron, however also present are some pieces with circular copper-alloy rivets and thin sheeting also of this material. Middle Iron Age dating for the vessel would appear likely on the basis of pottery recovered in association.

2.35 Animal bone was recovered from six deposits, five of which were ditch fills (15012, 17006, 18003, 24004 and 26004) and one pit fill (18006). The assemblage comprised 85 pieces weighing 42g. Ditch fills 15012 and 18003 and pit fill 18006 produced burnt bone. Preservation was extremely poor with only a few fragments being identifiable to species. Poor preservation is confirmed by the presence of only the hardest tissues; tooth enamel and those bones that have been mineralised by burning.

2.36 The four environmental samples produced a variety of artefactual and ecofactual material. Sample 1 produced charcoal, large mammal bone, burnt mammal bone, pottery and magnetic material. Sample 3 produced a similar variety of material with the addition of quantities of burnt flint, fired clay and small mammal bone. Sample 2 produced a range of artefactual and ecofactual material including a large quantity of charcoal. The material from sample 4 was similar with the addition of a small number of burnt seeds and a piece of worked flint.

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3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The fieldwork has revealed archaeological activity within two parts of the evaluation area. At the centre of the site, on a ridge of higher ground, an area of prehistoric (probable Bronze Age and Middle Iron Age) activity was identified. Within the southern part of the site a small number of Roman features was identified. A number of anomalies identified by the geophysical survey corresponded to features identified during the evaluation. A number of features were identified during the evaluation which had not been identified during the geophysical survey.

Bronze Age 3.2 Pit 22044 contained pottery of possible Bronze Age date, together with flint flakes and a burnt stone pebble. A Bronze Age barrow (c. 22m in diameter) was recorded to the west of the evaluation area during works associated with the construction of the B5380 (LAU 1993). Bronze Age occupation was recorded to the east of the evaluation area during housing development at the Grange Estate (Tura 1982).

Middle Iron Age 3.3 Middle Iron Age activity was found within the central part of the evaluation area. A number of features, comprising pits, postholes and ditches, some possibly representing ring ditches, contained pottery dating to the Middle Iron Age. The remaining undated and unexcavated features are thought to be contemporary, on the basis of spatial relationships and the similarity of the fills of the features. A number of the features contained large quantities of pottery and a metal vessel of probable Middle Iron Age date was identified within a ditch which corresponded to part of an anomaly representing the eastern part of a possible ring ditch. The nature of the Middle Iron Age activity is difficult to determine, however the ring ditches may represent the remains of roundhouses and settlement activity may therefore be represented. Evaluation works associated with the construction of the B5380 also identified three roundhouses dating to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age and at least four roundhouses dating to the Late Iron Age (LAU 1995). Evidence for Iron working was also present on the site, with fragments of a smithing hearth base and hearth/furnace lining recovered from within ditch 21010

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Roman 3.4 Four possible Roman pits/ditch terminals were identified within trench 1, together with a large possible quarry pit 5003. Pit/ditch terminal 1004 contained two sherds of Romano-British pottery.

Medieval, post-medieval and modern 3.5 Evidence for medieval and/or post-medieval ridge and furrow cultivation was identified across the evaluation area. Towards the western edge of the site the furrows were orientated north-west/south-east, across the majority of the site the furrows were orientated north-east/south-west.

3.6 Ditches 19004 and 11003 represented removed field boundaries known from cartographic sources.

Undated 3.7 A ditch identified in trench 27 was located to the north of the main focus of Middle Iron Age activity and did not contain any dating evidence.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Kelly Saunders, assisted by Andrew McLeish, Mark Anderson, Roy Poulter and Adam Howard. Specialist reports were compiled by Ed McSloy (Finds) and Sylvia Warman (Palaeoenvironmental Evidence). The report was written by Kelly Saunders, assisted by Hazel O’Neil. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Kelly Saunders, and prepared for deposition by Victoria Taylor. The project was managed for CA by Laurent Coleman.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 1982 Coalville, 1:50,000 sheet 155, solid and drift

BGS (British Geological Survey) 1975 Leicester, 1:50,000 sheet 156, solid and drift

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CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009a Land at M1 Junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation.

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009b Land at M1 Junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, CA typescript report 09030

Elsdon, S.M. 1992 ‘East Midlands Scored Ware’, Trans. Leicestershire Archaeol. Hist Soc. 66, 83–91

LAU (Leicestershire Archaeology Unit) 1993 Project Design, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, unpublished typescript report 93/02

LAU (Leicestershire Archaeological Unit) 1995 An evaluation in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, unpublished typescript report 95/24

Margary, I. 1973 Roman Roads in Britain, John Baker, London

PCG (Pre-construct Geophysics) 2009 Geophysical Survey: Land at M1 Junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire

Tura, E. 1982 ‘A late Bronze Age site at Glenfield (SK 537054) – Interim Report, The Leicester Archaeological and Historical Society LVIII 1981-2, 81

16 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1; Eastern end 81.42m AOD, western end 81.92m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1000 Layer Topsoil 0.32 1001 Layer Subsoil 0.35 1002 Layer Colluvium 0.26 1003 Layer Natural >0.93 1004 Cut Pit/ditch terminal 0.80 0.90 0.08 1005 Fill Fill of 1004 0.80 0.90 0.08 RB 1006 Cut Pit/ditch terminal 0.85 1.15 1007 Fill Fill of 1006 0.85 1.15 1008 Cut Pit/ditch terminal 0.50 1.60 1009 Fill Fill of 1008 0.50 1.60 1010 Cut Pit/ditch terminal 0.70 0.95 1011 Fill Fill of 1010 0.70 0.95

Trench 2; South-western end 80.69m AOD, north-eastern end 79.62m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 2000 Layer Topsoil 0.21 2001 Layer Subsoil 0.22 2002 Layer Natural >0.43

Trench 3; Northern end 89.79m AOD, southern end 81.44m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 3000 Layer Topsoil 0.26 3001 Layer Subsoil 0.34 3002 Layer Natural >0.60

Trench 4; South-eastern end 81.48m AOD, north-western end 81.07m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 4000 Layer Topsoil 0.14 4001 Layer Subsoil 0.12 4002 Layer Natural >0.26

Trench 5; Northern end 78.92m AOD, southern end 79.13m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 5000 Layer Topsoil 0.28 5001 Layer Subsoil 0.27 5002 Layer Natural >0.55 5003 Cut Quarry pit >1.80 7.8 0.80 5004 Fill Secondary fill of 5003 >1.80 7.8 0.60 C3-C4 5005 Fill Primary fill of 5003 >1.80 7.8 0.20

Trench 6; North-eastern end 80.17m AOD, south-western end 80.53m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 6000 Layer Topsoil 0.16 6001 Layer Subsoil 0.14 6002 Layer Natural >0.30

17 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 7; Northern end 80.41m AOD, southern end 80.83m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 7000 Layer Topsoil 0.24 7001 Layer Subsoil 0.23 7002 Layer Natural >0.47 7003 Fill Fill of 7004 7004 Cut Modern field drain

Trench 8; South-western end 80.31m AOD, north-eastern end 78.84m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 8000 Layer Topsoil 0.20 8001 Layer Subsoil 0.28 8002 Layer Natural >0.48

Trench 9; Eastern end 77.38m AOD, western end 78.02m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 9000 Layer Topsoil 0.11 9001 Layer Subsoil 0.22 9002 Layer Natural >0.33

Trench 10; South-eastern end 78.47m AOD, north-western end 77.21m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 10000 Layer Topsoil 0.11 10001 Layer Subsoil 0.10 10002 Layer Colluvium 0.37 10003 Layer Natural >0.58

Trench 11; Northern end 75.13m AOD, southern end 76.95m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 11000 Layer Topsoil 0.27 11001 Layer Subsoil 0.11 11002 Layer Natural >0.38 11003 Cut Modern ditch 1.5 11004 Fill Fill of 11003 1.5

Trench 12; Eastern end 77.20m AOD, western end 75.36m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 12000 Layer Topsoil 0.15 12001 Layer Subsoil 0.15 12002 Layer Colluvium 0.23 12004 Layer Natural >0.53

Trench 13; South-eastern end 80.30m AOD, north-western end 78.49m AOD No. Type Description Length Width 0.21 Spot- (m) (m) date 13000 Layer Topsoil 0.21 13001 Layer Subsoil 0.21 13002 Layer Buried land surface 0.20 13003 Layer Buried subsoil 0.09 13004 Layer Natural >0.71

18 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 14; North-western end 77.22m AOD, south-eastern end 77.07m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 14000 Layer Topsoil 0.12 14001 Layer Subsoil 0.18 14002 Layer Natural >0.30

Trench 15; Western end 77.38m AOD, eastern end 76.35m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 15000 Layer Topsoil 0.32 15001 Layer Subsoil 0.20 15002 Layer Natural 15003 Cut Ditch 2.00 0.50 15004 Fill Primary fill of 15003 1.20 0.08 15005 Fill Secondary fill of 15003 2.00 0.17 15006 Fill Third fill of 15003 1.80 0.30 15007 Cut Ditch 1.10 0.44 15008 Fill Primary fill of 15007 0.70 0.10 15009 Fill Secondary fill of 15007 1.1 0.27 LPRE 15010 Fill Third fill of 15007 15011 Cut Ditch 1.20 0.50 15012 Fill Primary fill of 15011 0.45 0.20 MIA 15013 Fill Secondary fill of 15011 1.20 0.30 15014 Cut Ditch 1.8 15015 Fill Fill of 15014 1.8 15016 Cut Curvilinear feature 0.50 15017 Fill Fill of 15016 0.50

Trench 16; Northern end 78.08m AOD, southern end 78.24m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 16000 Layer Topsoil 0.29 16001 Layer Subsoil 0.18 16002 Layer Natural 16003 Fill Fill of 16005 0.44 0.27 16004 Deposit Post pipe 0.13 0.27 16005 Cut Posthole 0.44 0.27 16006 Fill Fill of 16007 0.43 0.10 16007 Cut Posthole 0.43 0.10 16008 Fill Fill of 16009 0.43 0.08 16009 Cut Posthole 0.43 0.08 16010 Fill Fill of 16011 0.39 0.20 16011 Cut Posthole 0.39 0.20 16012 Fill Fill of 16013 0.45 16013 Cut Posthole 0.45 16014 Fill Fill of 16015 0.45 16015 Cut Posthole 0.45

Trench 17; Western end 78.13m AOD, eastern end 78.08m AOD

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 17000 Layer Topsoil 0.30

19 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

17001 Layer Subsoil 0.18 17002 Layer Natural 17003 Cut Posthole 0.48 0.49 17004 Fill Fill of 17003 0.48 0.49 17005 Cut Ditch cut 0.75 0.45 17006 Fill Primary fill of 17005 0.53 0.23 17007 Fill Secondary fill of 17005 0.75 0.27 PRE 17008 Cut Re-cut of 17005 0.47 0.21 17009 Fill Fill of 17008 0.47 0.21 17010 Cut Pit/posthole 0.42 0.42 0.14 17011 Fill Fill of 17010 0.42 0.42 0.14 17012 Cut Pit/posthole 0.39 0.39 0.34 17013 Fill Fill of 17012 0.39 0.39 0.34 17014 Fill Secondary fill of 17016 0.33 0.30 MIA 17015 Fill Primary fill of 17016 0.32 0.22 0.10 17016 Cut Pit cut 0.55 0.40 17017 Cut Posthole 0.20 0.20 0.11 17018 Fill Fill of 17017 0.20 0.20 0.11 17019 Cut Posthole 0.19 0.19 0.16 17020 Fill Fill 0f 17019 0.19 0.19 0.16

Trench 18; Western end of trench 78.15m AOD, eastern end of trench 78.04m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 18000 Layer Topsoil 0.30 18001 Layer Subsoil 0.13 18002 Cut Ditch 1.06 0.41 18003 Fill Fill of 18002 1.06 0.41 18004 Layer Natural 18005 Cut Pit/ditch terminal 1.80 1.10 0.44 18006 Fill Secondary fill of 18005 1.80 1.10 0.44 MIA 18007 Fill Primary fill of 18005 0.36 0.08 18008 Cut Posthole 0.27 0.28 18009 Fill Fill of 18008 0.27 0.28 18010 Cut Pit 0.80 0.14 18011 Fill Fill 0f 18010 0.80 0.14 MIA 18012 Cut Pit 0.57 0.09 18013 Fill Fill 0f 18012 0.57 0.09 18014 Cut Posthole 0.30 0.30 18015 Fill Fill of 18015 0.30 0.30 18016 Cut Posthole 0.36 0.06 18017 Fill Fill of 18017 0.36 0.06

Trench 19; Northern end 76.75m AOD, southern end 76.79m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 19000 Layer Topsoil 0.25 19001 Layer Subsoil 0.15 19002 Layer Natural >0.40 19003 Cut Modern ditch 1.90 19004 Fill Fill of 19003 1.90

20 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 20; Eastern end 77.92m AOD, western end 76.88m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 20000 Layer Topsoil 0.30 20001 Layer Subsoil 0.30 20002 Layer Natural >0.60 20003 Cut Pit 1.40 0.50 20004 Fill Fill of 20003 1.40 0.50

Trench 21; Western end 77.82m AOD, eastern end 76.53m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 21000 Layer Topsoil 0.31 21001 Layer Subsoil 0.17 21002 Layer Natural >0.48 21003 Cut Ditch 0.92 0.48 21004 Fill Primary fill of 21003 0.33 0.21 LPRE 21005 Fill Secondary fill of 21003 0.52 0.31 21006 Fill Third fill of 21003 0.38 0.04 21007 Fill Fourth fill of 21003 0.92 0.29 MIA 21008 Cut Pit 0.63 >0.10 21009 Fill Fill of 21008 0.63 >0.10 MLIA 21010 Cut Ditch 0.85 0.51 21011 Fill Primary fill of 21010 0.63 0.35 MIA 21012 Fill Secondary fill of 21010 0.85 0.28 21013 Cut Pit 1.3 21014 Fill Fill of 21013 1.3 21015 Cut Ditch 0.35 21016 Fill Fill of 21015 0.35 21017 Cut Pit >0.55 21018 Fill Fill of 21017 >0.55 21019 Cut Pit >0.8 21020 Fill Fill of 21019 >0.8 21021 Cut Ditch 0.82 21022 Fill Fill of 21021 0.82

Trench 22; Eastern end 77.20m AOD, western end 77.91m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 22000 Layer Topsoil 0.20 22001 Layer Subsoil 0.23 22002 Layer Natural >0.43 22003 Fill Fill of 22004 0.70 0.35 PRE/BA? 22004 Cut Pit 0.70 0.35 22005 Fill Fill of 22006 1.60 22006 Cut Pit 1.60

Trench 23; Southern end 77.09m AOD, northern end 76.55m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 23000 Layer Topsoil 0.20 23001 Layer Subsoil 0.07 23002 Layer Natural >0.27

21 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

23003 Cut Pit 0.74 23004 Fill 2nd fill of 23003 0.74 PRE 23005 Fill 1st fill of 23003

Trench 24; North-western end 78.37m AOD, south-eastern end 77.00m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 24000 Layer Topsoil 0.20 24001 Layer Subsoil 0.12 24002 Layer Natural >0.32 24003 Cut Ditch 1.20 0.30 24004 Fill Fill of 24003 1.20 0.30 MIA 24005 Cut Ditch 0.95 24006 Fill Fill of 24005 0.95 24007 Cut Pit 1.4 0.55 24008 Fill Fill of 24007 1.4 0.55

Trench 25; North-western end 76.10m AOD, south-eastern end 74.72m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 25000 Layer Topsoil 0.16 25001 Layer Subsoil 0.12 25002 Layer Natural >0.28

Trench 26; Eastern end 77.43m AOD, at western end 78.55m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 26000 Layer Topsoil 0.30 26001 Layer Subsoil 0.15 26002 Layer Natural >0.45 26003 Cut Ditch 1.00 0.40 26004 Fill Secondary fill of 26003 1.00 0.35 MIA 26005 Cut Ditch 0.25 0.10 26006 Fill Fill of 26005 0.25 0.10 26007 Cut Ditch terminal >0.10 <0.10 26008 Fill Fill of 26007 >0.10 <0.10 26009 Fill Primary fill of 26003 0.67 0.06 26010 Cut Possible pit 4.1 26011 Fill Fill of 26010 4.1 26012 Cut Pit 1 26013 Fill Fill of 26012 1 26014 Cut Ditch 0.92 26015 Fill Fill of 26014 0.92 26016 Cut Ditch 0.65 26017 Fill Fill of 26016 0.65 26018 Cut Ditch 0.2 26019 Fill Fill of 26018 0.2 26020 Cut Furrow 1.1 0.16 26021 Fill Fill of 26021 1.1 0.16 26022 Cut Pit cut 1.0 26023 Fill Fill of 26022 1.0

22 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 27; North-eastern end 78.19m AOD, south-western end 78.46m AOD No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 27000 Layer Topsoil 0.22 27001 Layer Subsoil 0.08 27002 Layer Natural >0.30 27003 Cut Ditch 0.29 27004 Fill Primary fill of 27003 0.09 27005 Fill Secondary fill of 27003 0.20

23 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Artefact type count Weight g Spot date 1005 Roman pottery: greyware (abr.) 2 6 RB 4000 Flint: flake 1 6 5004 CBM: tile (abr.) 5 170 LC3-C4 Roman pottery: Lower Nene CC; black sandy; whiteware; 16 122 greyware 15005 Flint: flake; broken flake (burnt) 2 10 - 15009 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type 21 42 MIA 15012 Burnt bone 4 1 MIA Burnt flint 1 12 Burnt stone 3 52 Charcoal 23 22 fired clay 11 56 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored); some 83 1370 burnt 17006 Animal Bone 17 7 17007 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous crumbs 3 1 PRE 17014 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored) 10 120 17020 Flint: broken flake core bladelet 1 1 - 18003 Animal bone 15 12 Burnt bone 1 2 Flint: flake 1 20 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (scored) 35 442 18006 Burnt bone 6 1 MIA Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (scored); sandy 206 7108 (burnished) 18006 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored) 80 246 - <1> Magnetic Material 17 Animal Bone 1 Charcoal 1 Burnt Bone 46 18011 Flint: flake 1 6 MIA Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored) 7 102 20004 Prehistoric pottery: 4 24 MIA 21006 Charcoal 13 <2> Burnt animal bone 0.5 Pottery 6 Fired clay 80 Burnt flint 3 Worked flint 1 Magnetic material 3 21007 Burnt clay 1 14 MIA Burnt stone 1 36 Fired clay 2 44 Flint: flake, shatter/unworked 4 150 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type 36 272 21009 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (scored), ?necked 1 62 MLIA vessel 21009 Burnt animal bone 3 <3> Small mammal bone 1 Fired clay 9 Pottery 4 Magnetic material 15 Charcoal 11 Burnt Flint 1 21011 Animal bone 17 4 MIA Slag: hearth bottom, hearth/furnace lining 4 472 Vitrified clay 3 146 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored) 12 368 22003 Burnt stone: quartzite? pebble 4 114 PRE: ?BA Flint: shatter pieces, flake 6 79 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous, grog-temp., shell-temp. 5 34

24 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

23004 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type 5 92 PRE 24004 Animal bone 16 2 MIA Burnt flint 1 4 Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored) 63 732 Metal fragments: iron, copper-alloy 10 - 26004 Animal bone 26 20 MIA Prehistoric pottery: acid igneous type (some scored); 12 190 leached shell-temp. Fe. Object: blade? fragment 1 - 26004 Pottery 27 <4> Fired clay 1 Burnt bone 4 Magnetic material 5 Burnt flint 1 Animal bone 1 Seeds 1 Charcoal 13 Worked Flint 1

25 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Introduction A total of four bulk environmental samples were taken from the fills of four separate features with the aim of ascertaining their function (table 1). It was suggested in the field that pit fills 18006 and 21009 may contain metalworking material or represent a possible cremation due to the large amounts of burnt bone present. Sample 2 from ditch fill 21006 was taken as a result of the presence of charcoal within the fill.

Methods The samples were taken using 10 litre sealable plastic tubs and transported to the CA offices for processing. The entire volume of each sample was processed for the purpose of this assessment. The processing was by means of bucket flotation (wash over) utilising sieves of 500 and 200μm for the flot and a 0.5mm mesh for the residue. These sieve fractions were chosen in order to ensure any potential metalworking residues were retained. Residues and flots were dried in a low temperature drying cabinet with flots being scanned, weighed and bagged up.

Results The dried residue from the sample was sorted on 10mm, 5mm, 2mm, 1mm and 0.5mm sieves for any ecofacts or artefacts present. Sample 1 produced a variety of artefactual and ecofactual material including charcoal, large mammal bone, burnt mammal bone, pottery and magnetic material. Sample 3 produced a similar variety of material with the addition of quantities of burnt flint, fired clay and small mammal bone. Sample 2 produced a range of artefactual and ecofactual material including a large quantity of charcoal. Sample 4 was again similar with the extra addition of a small number of burnt seeds and a piece of worked flint.

Discussion The lack of industrial residues such as hammerscale and slag suggests that pits 18005 and 21008 were not related to metalworking as initially suggested. The magnetic material recovered from all of the samples is likely to be the result of burning on the iron-rich soil, rather than any industrial process. It also now seems likely that the large amounts of burnt bone present in both pits is a result of preservation bias rather than a cremation as the only non-burnt bones present are from teeth which are much more resilient to decay. Poor preservation was also noted in the hand collected material, also dominated by teeth rather than bone

26 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Table 1. Sample Concordance Sample Context Context Vol Flot Charcoal Seeds Large Small Burnt Pottery Burnt Worked Fired Magnetic No no Type (litres) weight Mammal Mammal Mammal Flint Flint Clay Material (g)

1 18006 Pit Fill 20 80 D E A A B/A

2 21006 Ditch fill 5 11 C E E E E B/A B/A

3 21009 Pit Fill 5 45 A E D/C E E E A

4 26004 Ditch Fill 10 30 B/A D E D/C D E E E A

Quantities A (<200), B (100-200), C (50-100), D (10-50), E (1-1)

27 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at M1 Junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in September 2009 on Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, 27 trenches were excavated.

The fieldwork identified archaeological features across the majority of the current evaluation area. A single possible Bronze Age pit and a number of Middle Iron Age features were identified within the central part of the evaluation area. A number of the Middle Iron Age features contained large quantities of pottery and a ditch dating to this period contained the remains of metal vessel.

Evidence for limited Roman activity was identified within the southern part of the evaluation area. Features relating to the agricultural use of this site during the medieval and post-medieval periods were also identified.

Project dates 14-24 September 2009 Project type Evaluation

Previous work DBA (CA 2009a)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at M1 Junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire Study area (M2/ha) 63 ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SK 5305 0520 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Leicestershire County Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Laurent Coleman Project Supervisor Kelly Saunders PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of Content archive

Physical Leicester County Council Ceramics, animal Heritage Services. bone, metal work Accession no. X.A130.2009 Paper Leicester County Council Pro forma recording Heritage Services. sheets Accession no. X.A130.2009 Digital Leicester County Council Digital photos Heritage Services. Accession no. X.A130.2009 BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Land at M1 Junction 21a, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire. Archaeological Evaluation. CA Report No. 09157

28 Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109

0 2.5km

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

PROJECT TITLE site Land at M1 junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire current evaluation area FIGURE TITLE Leicestershire Site location plan

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. LG 1:25,000@A4 2946 1

8

9

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY 8 Pottery deposit within 18005 PROJECT TITLE Land at M1 Junction 21A, Glenfield and Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire 9 Caudron exposed within ditch 24003 FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. LG n/a 2946 8 & 9