Iron Age Settlement at Broomfield Farm, Stainsacre Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire

Abstract

Archaeological excavations west of Broomfield Farm, Whitby, and subsequent radiocarbon dating have provided evidence of a mid-Iron Age settlement comprising up to seven roundhouses. Evidence from the roundhouses, including pottery, suggests the settlement was primarily agricultural with evidence of metal working also present. The settlement has similarities to a Late Iron Age settlement identified in 1999, 500 m to the northwest, and provides firm evidence of prehistoric activity around Whitby which until now has been elusive. A later system of enclosure overlay the settlement.

Keywords:

• Whitby
• Iron Age
• settlement
• roundhouses
• pottery
• metal working

Acknowledgements

The project, undertaken by staff of Archaeological Services WYAS, was commissioned by Prospect Archaeology on behalf of KeyLand Development Limited and monitored by Peter Rowe of the North Yorkshire County Council.

Site and phase plans were produced by David Williams, Kevin Moon and Cathryn Shean, while Liz Govier drew the pottery.

Due to limited publication space, it has been necessary to reduce the description of the archaeological remains to select features and to integrate specialist data and interpretations within the archaeological narrative. Copies of all specialist reports, including methodologies, catalogues and illustrations are held with the site archive. The original client report, which includes the full specialist reports, has also been deposited with the Archaeology Data Service as part of their OASIS programme under the reference archaeol11-514304.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Debora Moretti

Debora Moretti is a Research and Publication Officer at Headland Archaeology having previously worked at Archaeological Services WYAS as a Project Manager. Debora is also Research Associate at the Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies (CREMS) at the University of York. She is the author of a wide body of archaeological reports and published numerous articles and book chapters in various peer-reviewed journals and other academic outlets.

David Williams

David Williams is Senior Project Manager at Archaeological Services WYAS. He has worked in commercial archaeology since 2005 and has produced numerous client reports for excavation, evaluations and watching briefs, as well as writing desk-based assessments and contributing to larger publications.