Late Iron Age and early Roman features were identified at Grasmere Gardens, Chesterfield during an evaluation in 2023. "Towards the southern boundary of the site, the evaluation recorded seven features, pits... and four linear features which date to the Late Iron Age to Early Roman period, broadly between 50BC and 125 AD. These linear features likely form enclosures, though no clear pattern is evident in this evaluation other than one linear continuing across two evaluation trenches...Potentially there are multiple phases of enclosures with some recutting of features...
Additionally, there are fourteen undated features towards the southern boundary of
the site; linears, pits, and ‘fire pits’, and two cremations. The initial assumption is that these features are associated with the Late Iron Age/ Early Roman Landscape due the lack of another period within this area of the site to tie the archaeology into. Evidence for activity from other periods seems to be confined to the northern end of the site and the consistency of charcoal inclusions in the fills of the features within this area would suggest that the ‘fire pits’ are contemporary, at least while the linears and pits are in filling" (from the original report, 1). The fire pits are thought to potentially have been used for salt processing and brine boiling or some other industrial function. "It may be the case that the enclosures and ‘fire pits’ are part of a Late Iron Age/ Early Roman industrial landscape present across the southern extent of Phase 2 and 3, that transitions or is repurposed into mortuary enclosures" (from the original report, 1). The pits identified during this phase of excavation measured 0.34-1.32m in length, 0.24-1.2m in width, and 0.04-0.5m in depth. The linear features meaured around >0.96->3.05m in length, 0.4-1.24m in width, and >0.09-0.6m in depth.


46 sherds dating to the later prehistoric, Iron Age, and Roman periods were excavated at the site. The majority of the sherds are thought to have originated from the Late Iron Age to Roman period, alongside deposist of charcoal originating from the fire pits. Ceramic building material was also identified in the fills of Iron Age and/or Roman features at the site. (1)

<1> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2023, Archaeological Evaluation of Phases 2 and 3 of land at Grasmere Gardens, Chesterfield, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE57402.