| Abstract: |
Trench excavation;
The trenches were laid out using a GPS with sub-15mm accuracy,
except where minor adjustments are required owing to ground conditions or site
obstructions. Trench 1 was shifted 5m to the east due to active animal burrows along
its length.
Trench 63 was added in Field 1 at the request of Liz Mordue (Archaeological Advisor
to WNC) to determine the scope and size of a complex area of unexpected archaeology
in trench 14 that included a ditch terminus of uncertain alignment.
The trenches were excavated using a 16-ton mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless bucket under the direct supervision of an archaeologist. Spoil was stored
adjacent to, but at a safe distance from the trench edges.
Machining continued in even spits down to the top of the undisturbed natural geology or the first archaeological horizon, depending upon which was encountered first. Once
archaeological deposits have been exposed, further excavation proceeded by hand.
The exposed surface was sufficiently cleaned to establish the presence/absence of
archaeological remains. A sample of each feature or deposit type—for example pits,
postholes, and ditches—was excavated and recorded. In the event of the identification
of an exceptional number and complexity of archaeological deposits, sample
excavation was more circumspect and aimed to be minimally intrusive. Excavation
was, however, sufficient to resolve the principal aims of the evaluation.
All features and deposits were issued with unique context numbers, and context
recording was in accordance with established best practice and the OA field manual.
Small finds and samples were allocated unique numbers. Bulk finds were collected by
context.
Spoil produced from machine excavation, the surface of archaeological features, and
spoil from hand excavation was scanned by a metal detector to enhance finds retrieval.
Digital photos were taken of any archaeological features, deposits, trenches and the
evaluation work in general.
Sections of features were drawn at scales of 1:10 and 1:20. All section drawings were
located using GPS and the absolute height (m aOD) of all principal strata and features,
and the section datum lines, were recovered in this manner.
Sample sections was located using a GPS unit. Coordinates relative to Ordnance Survey
and Ordnance Datum was obtained for each sampling location. An archaeological evaluation at Sparrow Lodge, Wicken, Northamptonshire
was commissioned by RPS Group on behalf of Elgin Energy. The evaluation
revealed a series of archaeological features, most of which conformed to
anomalies identified via cropmark and geophysical survey of the area. There
were two main periods represented by Iron Age and medieval settlement
activity, while there was also a number of undated features present. The Iron
Age activity included a concentration in Field 5 that was previously identified
through survey and proved to represent a well-preserved series of enclosures,
ring ditches and gullies as well as a trackway with a mettled surface. Medieval
activity included pits, ditches and a pond feature that lay either side of a
wooded enclosure. Very late or post-medieval ridge and furrow was present
in numerous trenches across every field. Artefactual material largely
compromised pottery, animal bone, and some CBM, with a limited
background-scatter of flint. |
