Bronze Age Funerary and Later Prehistoric Activity at Badminston Farm, Fawley, Hampshire

• DOI: 10.24202/hs2021001
• Publication Date: 2021-12-17T04:37:51Z
• Authors: Tony Molloy; Barry Bishop; Kevin Hayward; Mike Seager-Thomas; Guy Thompson; Paola Ponce; Lucy Alott; Mariangela Vitolo; Penny Copeland
• Keywords: Mesolithic; Assemblage (archaeology); Iron Age; Bronze; Beaker

Archaeological excavations were undertaken by Southern Services Ltd. between 1999 and 2010 at Badminston Farm, Fawley, on the eastern edge of New Forest, adjacent to Southampton Water. The identified evidence near- continuous human activity from early prehistoric period present day. Mesolithic was followed Early Bronze Age pits, containing 'placed' flint assemblages. Evidence funerary included deflated barrows/ring ditches, associated cremations. Late ceramics absent but a hoard 68 Armorican-type socketed axes may have been votive offering marking 'ancestral' barrow which would visible here. Other two burnt mounds an ill-defined structure possibly with weaving. Iron represented number pits domestic pottery, while Romano-British ditches formed part enclosure. A significant assemblage non-local worked stone attests long distance exchange, possibility nearby farmstead. Medieval stakeholes, some enclosure or grain drying. Later land divisions WWII radio communication station dominated more recent use site.