| Abstract: |
The approved WSI proposed that the evaluation fieldwork would comprise the
excavation of 264 trenches, each measuring 50m in length and 2m in width. The
trenches were targeted to test the identified geophysical anomalies and also to
provide a representative sample of the remainder of the site.
4.2. In the event, 16 of the proposed trenches were not excavated, including Trench 7
that was located within woodland. Trenches 17,101,102,140,148 & 196 were not
excavated due to the presence of buried services and Trench 139 remained
unexcavated due to the presence of possible asbestos within the topsoil. Trenches
256-264 could not be accessed due to a new development being constructed in
Fields 29 & 30 at the southern limit of the site. Between September and December 2021 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an
archaeological evaluation on Land west of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (centred at NGR:
391100, 223230; Fig. 1) for BWB Consulting (BWB). A total of 248 trenches was excavated.
The evaluation identified nine distinct areas of archaeological activity, primarily within the
central and north-eastern extent of the proposed development area, all of which correlated
with the evidence from a preceding geophysical survey. Only a limited number of additional
features, predominantly shallow pits, gullies, postholes and treethrows, were revealed during
the trenching that had not previously been identified by the geophysical survey.
In seven of these identified archaeological areas, the activity comprised Roman enclosures,
many of which displayed evidence for sub-division, with evidence for contemporary trackways.
This activity appears to have commenced during the 1st and 2nd centuries, with later
remodelling in the 2nd to 4th centuries. No definitive evidence for associated contemporary
occupation was identified either within, or in close proximity to, the enclosures.
Medieval activity was revealed in two of the areas and included a series of ditches/enclosures
located in close proximity to a (now) demolished post-medieval farmstead. A possible
trackway, comprising two parallel ditches, was identified adjacent to this medieval activity.
Geophysical evidence for a sub-circular enclosure in the southeast of the site was confirmed
during the current works. It measured approximately 40m in diameter, with the associated
ditch being in excess of 4m in width, over 1.5m in depth and contained 12th to 14th-century
medieval pottery. Evidence for broadly contemporary walls and both interior and exterior
surfacing, as well as medieval ceramic roof tile, was identified within the interior of the
enclosure. Such evidence is indicative of medieval occupation and may suggest that the
enclosure is representative of a circular moat. |
