Excavations of a Medieval Toft and Croft at Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicestershire

Archaeological excavations at Cropston Road, Anstey (SK 553 086) in 1996 and 2002 have revealed medieval occupation dating from the 12th‐13th century within a raised toft platform separated from a croft by a hollow-way. Ditches flanked a hollow way in the south-eastern part of the site and beyond this the croft contained remains of a medieval ridge and furrow field system, leading down to the Rothley Brook. Structural evidence included compacted gravel foundations for a rectangular building and three possible post built structures. The excavations suggest that the site was abandoned in the late 13th century before re-use from the 15th century onwards with the toft being sub-divided perhaps for pastoral farming.