In summer 2022, two large open trenches were excavated. In the north of the field was an industrial/commercial zone. The 2005 trackway was found to be a substantial roadway, parallel to the river, capable of carrying heavy carts for loading and unloading goods from the river frontage. A narrower path led to areas with postholes for buildings, with hearths, oven bases, refuse pits and latrines. These areas were bounded by an east-west ditch. It is very rare to find preserved early medieval topography with street surfaces in rural locations: nearly all have been damaged by later ploughing or building.
The second trench, in the south-west of the field, uncovered a cemetery. Its graves were in the Christian burial tradition. Five skeletons were excavated for scientific analysis. One has been radiocarbon dated in the range 659-774 AD, the Mid-Saxon period. To the west of the field, a substantial Late Saxon boundary ditch ran north-south. It was dug later than the cemetery and had disturbed the earlier burials. Its radiocarbon date ranges between 875-994 AD.
Considerable quantities of animal bone, metalworking slag and offcuts, pottery, window glass and clothing accessories were found, including a beautiful, and rare, silver pin. Analysis of the metalwork is in progress, to be followed by investigation of the other materials as funding permits.