An extensive programme of archaeological work was undertaken adjacent to the site of Western International Market, London Borough of Hounslow, between August 2003 and August 2006 (NGR: TQ 1075 7850). This work, commissioned by Gifford Heritage Consultancy on behalf of Kier Property was undertaken in advance of the relocation of market buildings and facilities on the site.

An archaeological evaluation over an area of some 9ha of the proposed development in August 2003 had indicated that there had been extensive truncation across much of the proposed development area. However a concentration of later prehistoric features, including a group of Middle Bronze Age cremation burials was identified to the northeast of the proposed development area (Figure 1). Consequently an excavation was carried out between October 2005 and February 2006, in an approximately rectangular area, measuring c. 0.5ha in this part of the site.

Figure 1: Middle Bronze Age Cremation Urn

The stripping of the area revealed an intense concentration of archaeological features running in a broad east-west swathe, c. 15m wide, along the north of the site, then turning to the southwest, and apparently continuing beyond the south and west boundaries of the stripped area (Figure 2). The majority of the features were discrete and interpreted as postholes. A significant proportion of these contained dateable finds and most appeared to date to the Late Bronze Age to Middle Iron Age periods. Given the vast numbers of such features it has been difficult so far to identify patterns and isolate discrete structural groups. However a number of distinctive features have been identified. The earliest feature was a ring ditch, probably of Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date, which was located directly to the north of the concentration of cremation burials identified during the evaluation (Figure 3). Indeed, in excess of twenty further cremations were excavated in this area during the excavation phase. An east-west aligned ditch to the south of the cremations may have marked the edge of the cemetery, though one cremation was located to the south of this. Further ditches may also have been later prehistoric boundary markers, though there also appears to have been a sub-rectangular enclosure in the southwest quadrant of the site, marked by small linear gullies, probably of Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age date.

Figure 2: The Site Under Excavation

Figure 3: Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Ring Ditch

Aligned northeast - southwest across the northwestern corner of the excavation area was a rather more substantial ditch, which has been dated to the Early Anglo-Saxon period (c. 5th - 6th centuries AD) (Figure 4). A number of the discrete postholes have also produced pottery of this date and towards the central eastern area of the site a rectangular post-built structure measuring c. 25m by 5.5m was identified, which may also have been contemporary with this activity (Fig 5 - Anglo-Saxon Post-Built Structure).

Figure 4: Early Anglo-Saxon Ditch

Figure 5: Anglo-Saxon Post-Built Structure

Given the concentration of features identified during the excavation and the fact that this concentration clearly extended beyond the southwestern edge of the excavated area, an archaeological strip and map exercise, followed by targeted excavation of features, was carried out in areas to the west and southwest of the excavation area. An area measuring c. 270m north-south, by up to 40m east-west was stripped, mapped and sample excavated.

Stripping of the area confirmed the continuation of feature concentrations to the southwest. Initially posthole concentrations were identified but a number of pits and linear features also became apparent. These included a substantial, WNW-ESE aligned Anglo-Saxon ditch, which appeared to be related to the contemporary feature identified during the excavation. A sunken-featured building (SFB) of Anglo-Saxon date was also identified, and for the first time features of apparently Romano-British date were recorded (Fig 6 - Anglo-Saxon Sunken Featured Building). An area of possible industrial activity was also identified, to the south of the Anglo-Saxon ditch.

Figure 6: Anglo-Saxon Sunken Featured Building

It was clear that archaeological deposits were likely to continue to the east of the strip and map area and a second strip, map and sample exercise was carried out over the remainder of the site proposed for development. This work was carried out in conjunction with general stripping, levelling and consolidation of the site prior to development and construction.

During this final phase of work in excess of 200 features were. As with the excavation and first strip and map exercise, a number of features have been tentatively dated to each of these phases, the vast majority postholes. However a great many more still require dating and with so many similar features on the site it is difficult to define patterns from the distribution of features alone. Of particular note, however, was a ring ditch of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date, measuring some 10m in diameter, with an entrance to the southeast. A second, slightly curious entrance was also identified to the north. Three pits were located within the area enclosed by the ring ditch, one of which contained a quantity of large, smashed pottery vessels.

The fieldwork has revealed the archaeological importance of the site over a number of phases, particularly from the Late Neolithic to the Anglo-Saxon periods. This understanding can only be enhanced by the extensive post-excavation programme to follow.

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