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Oxford Archaeology was commissioned by West Waddy ADP on behalf of Pye Homes to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land to the east of Whelford Road, Kempsford, Gloucestershire in advance of proposed residential development. The trial trench evaluation followed a geophysical survey and comprised a 2% sample by area of the site, equating to nine trenches each measuring 30 x 1.8m.
The evaluation uncovered a complex of archaeological features mostly situated in the western half of the site that corresponded closely with the results of the geophysical survey. Dating evidence was limited to only three sherds of pottery, but these indicate activity from the middle Iron Age and Roman periods.
A possible small rectilinear enclosure was dated to the middle Iron Age and a penannular gully, possibly a roundhouse, may be of similar date, as may a second gully identified by the geophysical survey to the south of Trench 4.
The Roman features appear to represent a N-S trackway with a second trackway branching off to the west. Other ditch features may represent boundary ditches of enclosures adjoining the trackway.
An undated L-shaped feature in the north-western part of the site is likely to be part of a rectilinear enclosure.
The features in the eastern part of the site were modern or undated, although some may nevertheless be associated with the complex to the west.