Information for record number MWA12254:
Settlement and midden site of probable Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date, Brailes

Summary Geophysical survey has recorded evidence for at least two phases of settlement at this location. A large number of finds recovered from this area through metal detecting and fieldwalking suggest that this settlement dates to the Bronze Age/Early Iron Age periods. The quantities of finds recovered also suggests the presence of a midden site. This site lies 500m west of Upper Chelmscote.
What Is It?  
Type: Midden, Settlement, Round House (Domestic), Enclosure
Period: Bronze Age - Iron Age (2600 BC - 301 BC)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Brailes
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 41
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

 
Source Number  
1) Geophysical survey (magnetometry) by ArchaeoPhysica Ltd has recorded evidence for at least two phases of settlement at this location. Features identified include round huts (including possible evidence for internal Features), hearths, enclosure ditches, ditches and an associated field system. A large number of finds recovered from this area through metal detecting and fieldwalking suggest that this settlement dates to the Bronze Age/Early Iron Age periods. The quantities of finds recovered also suggests the presence of a midden site.
2 Ongoing work in 2009-2010 has extended the area surveyed and revealed an LBA/EIA site of unparalleled density and complexity. Two additional fields to the south of the 2008 work were surveyed; the LBA/EIA material continues into these two fields to the south, but is not as dense as the concentration to the north. More Roman material now appears in the two southern fields.
3 A large number of PAS finds have been reported from across this site.
4 A collection of digital images and interim reports for the site.
5 Portable Antiquities Scheme find provenance information: Date found: 2002-10-15T23:00:00Z Date found: 2003-12-04T00:00:00Z Date found: 2004-12-14T00:00:00Z Date found: 2005-01-07T00:00:00Z Methods of discovery: Chance find during metal detecting
 
Sources

Source No: 2
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Interim results of Magnetic Survey at Brailes
Author/originator: A Bolton & M Roseveare
Date: 2010
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Digital archive
Title: Magnetic survey, Brailes: collection of digital figures and reports
Author/originator: Roseveare, M
Date: 2013
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Magnetic Survey, Brailes, Warwickshire
Author/originator: M J Roseveare
Date: 2008
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Database
Author/originator: British Museum
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Geophysical Survey The measuring and recording of electrical resistivity or magnetism in order to determine the existence and outline of buried features such as walls and ditches. Geophysical techniques include resistivity survey, magnetometer survey and ground penetrating radar. View Image back
period Bronze Age About 2500 BC to 700 BC

The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.

The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.

During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
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period Iron Age About 800 BC to 43 AD

The Iron Age comes after the Bronze Age and before the Roman period. It is a time when people developed the skills and knowledge to work and use iron, hence the name ‘Iron Age’ which is given to this period. Iron is a much tougher and more durable metal than bronze but it also requires more skill to make objects from it. People continued to use bronze during this period.
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period Roman About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)

The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.

The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. back
monument MIDDEN * A refuse heap. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument HEARTH * The slab or place on which a fire is made. back
monument HUT * A building of basic construction, usually smaller in size than a house and constructed from a variety of materials such as mud, turf, branches, wood, brick, concrete or metal. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument FIELD SYSTEM * A group or complex of fields which appear to form a coherent whole. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument DOMESTIC * This is the top term for the class. See DOMESTIC Class List for narrow terms. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record