Series: West Yorkshire Archaeological Services unpublished report series

Nine trial trenches were excavated, their locations based on the results of a geophysical survey. The excavation provided evidence for four ditches with at least one being cut by a later ditch. A shallow grave, containing severely degraded skeletal remains, was located adjacent to the later ditch. No features were seen in three trenches opened in the northern end of the site. One ceramic rim sherd of probable Roman date was recovered from one of the earlier ditches. [Au(abr)]

<summary>A gradiometer survey was undertaken to provide an archaeological evaluation of the site prior to Phases 1 and 2 of quarrying. The results indicated that the majority of magnetic variations were due to either small-scale geological features or background noise from the soil. The one anomaly on the site which might represent underlying archaeology was too vague to be identified with confidence. {italon}AIP{italoff}

An archaeological fieldwalking survey was undertaken to locate and determine the nature and extent of sites of archaeological interest prior to the possible selection of target areas for further archaeological evaluation. An area of pasture was surveyed topographically and found to contain a number of earthworks, soil profiles and magnetic susceptibility values were taken from these features. Although very few datable finds, such as flint and pottery sherds, were recovered, three possible patterns of distribution were indicated to the east, south-west and north-west of the site. The widespread occurrence of fire-cracked pebbles (or 'pot-boilers') suggested a further, more widespread distribution to the east and centre of the site. Despite the observed patterns, it was not possible to identify archaeological sites with any degree of certainty, although target areas for possible future work were indicated. [Au]

The assessment was undertaken to assess the archaeological potential of the area for a proposed quarry extension at Barnsdale Bar. A search of North, West and East Yorkshire Sites and Monuments Records was undertaken. The study highlighted that the site lay within an extensive system of fields and enclosures which probably dated from the later prehistoric and Roman periods. Evidence was also identified for earlier occupation in the vicinity with finds of possible Neolithic date having been recovered from the surface of a field to the west of the proposed extension. [Au]