1100967. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Phase 2, Navigation Park, Ponders End, Enfield, Archaeological Evaluation Report

Series:

Oxford Archaeological Unit unpublished report series

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1100967

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

EVALUATIONThe evaluation was carried out alongside and immediately following the removal of theexisting concrete slab in stages by the demolition principal contractor. A method for theremoval of the slab in a manner to avoid impact upon potential buried archaeologicalremains had been previously been produced by OA and agreed with GLAAS.The evaluation itself comprised an approximate 4% sample of the area of greatestimpact within the development boundary (building footprints), along with additionaltrenches to adequately cover the impact of subsurface drainage and other services within the parking areas. This translated to 19 trenches, each measuring 30m x 2mTrenches within the footprint of the new structuresThe trenches excavated within the footprint of the new structures were mechanicallyexcavated to the first archaeological horizon or the surface of the underlying graveldepending upon which was encountered first. Some of these trenches were expected toreach depths of 2-2.5m or more due to the presence of alluvial sediments and thickdeposits of made ground based upon the evidence of the deposit model and theexisting ground levels. To safely excavate to this depth these trenches were stepped in1m units (depth and step in) with spoil stored at a distance of no less than 1m from theedge of the upper step.It was recognised that archaeological deposits might be stratified within the alluvialsequence above the gravel and particular care was taken to ensure such deposits wereidentified during the machine excavation. Where archaeological horizons wereidentified above the level of the underlying gravel, machine excavation exposed thishorizon along the length of the trench. Hand excavation continued at this stage to fulfilthe aims outlined above. Once this archaeological horizon has been sufficientlyevaluated the trench was machine excavated to the next horizon below this level or thesurface of the gravel.Where machine excavation exposed the surface of the gravel, this horizon wassufficiently cleaned to establish the presence/absence of archaeological remains.Where these were absent and within a maximum of two of these trenches, machine-dugsondages were excavated to investigate the gravel sequence and evaluate for thepotential presence of the Arctic Beds. These were entirely machine excavated and allrecording of the exposed deposits was undertaken from the surface of the trench.Trenches beyond the footprints of the new structuresMachine excavation of these trenches followed the same general principles outlinedabove. However, the impact of the construction within these areas was much less thanthat of the new buildings and the depth of the trenches was therefore limited to 2m, thisbeing the maximum depth of the drainage attenuation installations.EXCAVATIONTwo excavation areas were opened up, centred on trenches of the Phase 2 evaluation in which archaeological features had been identified. The smaller northern excavation area, which amounted to 0.02ha, failed to expose any archaeological remains and it is likely that the features that had been identified in Trench 11 were in fact tree-throw holes. The main excavation area, which encompassed an area of 0.21ha, uncovered a middle Bronze Age settlement and was progressively extended until the limits of the settlement had been exposed. The archaeological features were cut into a substrate of brickearth and were overlain by a buried ploughsoil 0.2m thick that survived intermittently where it had not been truncated by modern development. Above this were a layer of made ground and the concrete slab floor of the former car parts factory. The site was punctuated by areas of truncation associated with the factory, mostly comprising concrete ground beams and post pads.

Author:

Matt Fenn
E Stafford

Publisher:

Oxford Archaeology

Year of Publication:

2017

Locations:

Parish:	Enfield, unparished area
District:	Enfield
County:	Greater London
Country:	England

Grid Reference: 536248, 195269 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

MIDDLE BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)
UNCERTAIN (Historic England Periods)
BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)
LATE BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)
MESOLITHIC (Historic England Periods)
	EVALUATION (Event)
	BRONZE AGE LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Tag)
	ANIMAL REMAINS (Object England)
	EXCAVATION (Event)
	BRONZE AGE PLANT REMAINS (Tag)
	PIT (Monument Type England)
	DITCH (Monument Type England)
	CERAMIC (Object England)
	MIDDLE BRONZE AGE SHERD (Tag)
	MIDDLE BRONZE AGE DITCH (Tag)
	LATE BRONZE AGE DITCH (Tag)
	UNCERTAIN DITCH (Tag)
	MIDDLE BRONZE AGE PIT (Tag)
	PLANT REMAINS (Object England)
	MESOLITHIC LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Tag)
	BRONZE AGE CERAMIC (Tag)
	MIDDLE BRONZE AGE POST HOLE (Tag)
	UNCERTAIN SLAG (Tag)
	POST HOLE (Monument Type England)
	UNCERTAIN ANIMAL REMAINS (Tag)
	SHERD (Object England)
	UNCERTAIN PIT (Tag)
	SLAG (Object England)
	LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Object England)
	UNCERTAIN POST HOLE (Tag)
	LATE BRONZE AGE PIT (Tag)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

oxfordar1-510585

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

22 Nov 2022