- Minsmere - Abbey Church
Photos
- Trench 25 measured 10 x 2m and was placed to target a potential apsidal end at the east of the original Abbey church with the aim of characterising the archaeological deposits and assessing their survival in light of recent ploughing. Upon excavation a robber trench F2501 which is interpreted as being part of the Abbey wall was found curving from the southern edge of the trench towards the northern edge. This has been interpreted as representing the apsidal end of the original Abbey church. Interpretation was complicated by a stoney depost (25008) apparently truncating the bulk of the apsidal curve under which was a sandy fill (25010) whose lower interface was lined with finely graded pebbles. This rubble feature F2502 is likely to have been the result of field clearances after the destruction of Leiston Abbey. These interpretations are supported by F2505 which clearly represents the foundation surface used during the construction of Leiston Abby which is placed below these features. Internal features of the Abbey church were included a square feature F2503 found in the North Western end of the Trench. While this was left unexcavated its form, contents and location suggest this may have acted as a plinth for a feature within the abbey. A further, potentially medieval, posthole F2504, and undated plough furrows F2506 were also found although their relationship to the use of abbey has been unresolved.
3-D Models
Plan
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Plan: LA_45
- Post excavation plan trench 25
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
Section
Features
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Feature: LA_2501
- The location of the apsidal wall for the first Leiston Abbey
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Feature: LA_2502
- An accumulation of stone possibly linked to field clearance and agricultural activity post dating the destruction of Leiston Abbey
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Feature: LA_2503
- A pit or plinth possibly to act as the foundation for a feature within Leiston Abbey
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Feature: LA_2504
- A pit cut within the walls of Leiston abbey
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Feature: LA_2505
- Foundation surface or platform placed during the construction of Leiston Abbey
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Feature: LA_2506
- A plough furrow or modern land drain placed after the destruction of Leiston Abbey
Contexts
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Context: LA_25001
- Minsmere - Abbey Church- Topsoil layer
- Brendon Wilkins
- 13-9-2016
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Context: LA_25002
- Subsoil
- Anna Van Nostrand
- 13-9-2016
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Context: LA_25003
- Natural
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25004
- Fill of 25009
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25005
- Cut of robbed out wall, fill (25006)
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25006
- Fill of wall cut [25005]
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25007
- Cut for (25008)
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25008
- Fill of [25007]
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25008
- Fill of [25007]
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25009
- Cut of possible land drain, fill (25004)
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25010
- Lower layer of cut [25007]
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25011
- Stone layer below (25010)
- Ed Caswell
- 24-9-2016
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Context: LA_25012
- cut of posthole
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
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Context: LA_25013
- Fill of posthole
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
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Context: LA_25014
- Post hole packing
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
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Context: LA_25015
- Fill of cut 25016
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
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Context: LA_25016
- Cut of 25015
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
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Context: LA_25017
- Fill of firm material similar to that in context 25006
- Ed Caswell
- 26-9-2016
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Context: LA_25018
- A Layer of 10cm wide well rounded pebbles placed around the edge of context 25011
- Ed Caswell
- 27-9-2016
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Context: LA_25019
- Cut for pjt at Western edge of Trench 25
- Ed Caswell
- 27-9-2016
- Brendon Wilkins 13-9-2016