| Title: |
Choakes Yard, Billington, Bedfordshire. Archaeological Field Evaluation |
| Number of Pages: |
23 |
| 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: |
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in response to a condition upon planning permission. The site was in the vicinity of documented medieval sites including Billington Manor, which had its origins in the late 14th century. A total of three linear trenches and two square pits were opened. These indicated considerable truncation in the eastern part of the site where the builder's yard had been situated. The only features identified in this area were an undated ditch orientated roughly north-east to south-west and a possible pond. Both the lack of artefacts and colour of the ditch fill suggested that it was a 'field' boundary situated away from habitation. In the rough ground at the western end of the site, the two trenches identified substantial features c.0.8m deep. These features seemed to have been cleaned out on at least one occasion, though no dateable artefacts were recovered. It was possible that they were originally dug as quarries, then subsequently used as ponds. There were a number of similar features in the vicinity. This area was later consolidated with dumps of material and a surface was constructed. This was visible on post-war maps and aerial photographs. The site was situated within a land parcel known as 'Home Close' in the village of Great Billington. This was well situated, being near the manor house and at the junction of Goose Green and an unmetalled track. Despite the accessible location, the site appeared to have been of marginal value, with the main archaeological evidence for the use being a series of deep pond/quarries. It was possible that the digging of these features and modern levelling of the ground for the construction of the yard may have removed traces of any earlier features. However, the lack of residual artefacts or a significant number of truncated features in the eastern part of the site appeared to confirm the marginal nature of this land. Only with the construction of the builder's yard did the site appear to have been utilised for activity other than primary extraction (agricultural or quarrying). The evaluation did not identify any features or deposits which were considered significant in the regional archaeological research agenda. [Au(abr)] |
| Author: |
A Thompson
G Edmondson
|
| Publisher: |
Albion Archaeology
|
| Year of Publication: |
2001
|
| Locations: |
| Location - Auto Detected: |
Billington Manor |
| Location - Auto Detected: |
Home Close |
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
| Late 14th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
| Medieval (Auto Detected Temporal) |
|
| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
2001
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: CHOAKES YARD, BILLINGTON
Study area: 0.39ha
Investigation type: Evaluation
District: South Bedfordshire
Monument: EXTRACTIVE PIT. Undated, DITCH. Undated, FEATURE. Modern (1901-present), POND. Undated, STRUCTURE. Modern (1901-present), [finds]. Modern (1901-present)
Ngr: SP94242226
Parish: Great Billington
Postcode: LU7 9DU
|
| Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
| Created Date: |
19 Jan 2009 |
