| Title: |
Land at Biddenham, Bedfordshire. Archaeological Evaluation |
| Number of Pages: |
48 |
| Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
|
| Publication Type: |
Report
|
| Abstract: |
A total of 29 trial trenches were excavated over the proposed development area to test geophysical anomalies and features known from aerial photographic interpretation. Archaeological activity was revealed in 20 of the trenches, although no dating evidence was present in many of the features. The only concentrations of features were present in a possible area of settlement previously identified by aerial photography and to a lesser extent in the northern part of the westernmost field. A single ditch feature, which may have been of Neolithic origin, was present towards the top of the slope in Trench 23. There appeared to have been localised activity during the Bronze Age on the north-facing slope of the hill and the flat land at the base. This activity appeared to have predominantly related to burial features. Two round barrows, which survive only as ring ditches, were sampled during the course of the evaluation. Three other circular features were identified by the desk-based assessment. One of these was also sampled by the trial trenching and consisted of the foundation cut for a demolished windmill. Romano-British activity was present towards the crest of the hill in the southern part of the site and was known from aerial photography and geophysical survey. Trench 26 contained features relating to the probable settlement and other undated features in nearby trenches may have represented elements of this occupation. It was possible that this activity was originally more extensive and had been destroyed by medieval and later ploughing. The use of this area for a windmill during the post-medieval period would also have contributed to damage to earlier archaeological deposits. A single 16th century ditch was also identified some distance to the west in Trench 2. Overall, however, there appeared to be a generally low-level of artefactual or ecofactual evidence for human domestic activity across the site. The majority of features were probably related to field systems and boundaries. The limitations of archaeological evaluation meant that it was impossible to be certain of the full extent and interpretation of these features. Due to the relatively shallow depth of the ploughsoil and subsoil the proposed development was likely to adversely affect the surviving archaeological resource. The results of the evaluation suggested that focused area excavation would be required to provide a suitable record of the more significant archaeological features, as none of these appeared to require preservation in situ. [Au(abr)] |
| Publisher: |
Foundations Archaeology
|
| Year of Publication: |
2002
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
| Medieval (Auto Detected Temporal) |
| 16th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
|
MEDIEVAL
(Historic England Periods)
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|
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BRONZE AGE
(Historic England Periods)
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|
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NEOLITHIC
(Historic England Periods)
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|
| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
2002
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: LAND AT BIDDENHAM
Study area: 46.5ha
Investigation type: Evaluation
District: Bedford
Monument: [finds]. Early Medieval (410-1066), [finds]. Early Neolithic, DITCH. Medieval (1066-1540), WINDMILL. Post-medieval (1540-1901), [finds]. Prehistoric, DITCH. Post-medieval (1540-1901), [finds]. Post-medieval (1540-1901), [finds]. Roman (AD43-410), PIT. Und
Ngr: TL02505080
Parish: Biddenham
Postcode: MK404AG
|
| Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
| Created Date: |
19 Jan 2009 |
