PCA Durham were commissioned by to undertake archaeological investigations at Marske by the Sea for a programme of both strip, map and record excavation for critical infrastructure enabling works and trial trenching of the wider site. A geophysical survey of the c. 40ha site identified an extensive multi-phased settlement activity likely to be of Iron Age/Romano-British date within the site and this has been confirmed by the results of the ongoing Strip, Map and Record (SMR) work PCA are undertaking.

To date the investigation has uncovered features dating from the late Iron Age to the fourth century AD with the site perhaps starting as a small Iron Age farmstead before developing into a complex linear farmstead within the Roman period. The linear farmstead covered an area of approximately 595m east–west by 175m north–south and included numerous phases of ditched enclosures with field systems continuing well beyond our excavation areas. Features of note comprised cremation burials, inhumation burials, corn dryers, and at least twenty-one roundhouses. Significant finds from the site included a flint spearhead, fragments of Roman jet jewellery (likely to have been sourced from the nearby production centre around Whitby), quern stones, and Roman coins.

Fieldwork has been undertaken during extended periods of wet weather, which led to some areas, including the site compound, becoming flooded. Another consequence of the inclement weather was that the very large Moxy dumpers were continually getting stuck in the mud, these were exchanged for tracked vehicle so as to keep the programme on course.

There had been some local opposition to the development led by a local councillor and a member of the public with an interest in archaeology. This led to an application being submitted to Historic England to schedule the site. PCA Durham worked with the client in showing Historic England around the site and building the client’s response to the application. DCMS have decided not to schedule the site.

It is envisaged that the fieldwork on the site will continue for a number of months yet with plans for more areas to be opened across the site as and when these are agreed by the consultant with the council-nominated archaeological representatives. Reporting will follow in due course, in line with planning policies and procedures.