Archaeological evaluation on land off Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 3QL: November 2019 – February 2020

An archaeological evaluation (490 trial-trenches) was undertaken on land off Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk in advance of its proposed inclusion as part of Ipswich Northern Fringe (Garden suburb) development. The total area investigated was 52.5ha.
Excavations revealed a relatively small number of features (355).
They were primarily undated ditches, with few pits. These remains were thinly spread out across the site, with some scattered concentrations. While datable artefacts were sparse, the investigation identified four main phases of activity at the site. A number of prehistoric features were recorded, including a pit containing Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pottery and evidence of flint tool manufacture. The majority, however, dated to the Iron Age. A prehistoric cremation burial was also excavated. Small amounts of Roman material was recovered, much of which is residual. Medieval (11th-14th century) features were recorded across the site, with clusters along its western and northern peripheries. Post-medieval and modern remains appear to be related to agricultural and horticultural activity on the Red House estate and attached Redhouse Farm, and include old field boundary ditches and two small possible field systems.