Land off Paynes Park Hitchin, Hertfordshire (HPPH04):
An Excavation Summary
By Peter Boyer
Between 18th August and 12th October 2004, Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd. carried out an archaeological excavation at Paynes Park, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The excavation uncovered a number of features dating from the later prehistoric period to the 19th and 20th centuries.
The earliest feature identified was a large ring ditch, measuring some 20m in diameter, which may have been the remnants of a Bronze Age round barrow, though there was no evidence of a mound or any burials surviving.
Prehistoric Ring Ditch
Located to the west of the ring ditch, was a substantial linear ditch, running north-south across the site. The ditch measured up to 4.5m wide and 2.5m deep and exhibited a clear 'V' profile, with sides sloping at c. 45° from the horizontal. The ditch was clearly of some importance, and it is suggested that it may have been part of a Late Saxon burgh ditch.
The ditch was partly truncated on its western side by a possible industrial feature. This comprised a north-south ditch, sloping down to a circular pit, containing two rammed chalk platforms. The feature appeared to be 12th - 14th century date, though its exact function remains something of a mystery.
A short distance to the west and contemporary with the industrial feature was a north-south aligned ditch. This appeared to be a medieval field or property boundary. Very few features were located west of this ditch, suggesting it may have been the boundary between 'urban' Hitchin, to the east, and agricultural land to the west.
Located towards the southeastern corner of the excavated area was a rectangular, timber structure measuring c. 6m east-west by c. 4m north-south, with a possible entrance to the south. It was probably associated with a medieval property fronting onto the market place to the east.
Early post-medieval activity on the site was attested by a well of possible 16th - 17th century date and an associated trough, located a short distance to the east of the western medieval boundary ditch. Numerous other features of post-medieval date were spread across the site. Most of these were postholes associated with temporary structures, which formerly stood on the site.
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