| Abstract: |
The evaluation fieldwork comprised the excavation of 70no. 30m by 1.8m trenches,
equivalent to a 4% sample of the 9.4ha
trenchable part of the proposed development area. The trenches were located to
test geophysical anomalies and to provide a representative sample of the remainder
of the site. At the request of the Archaeology and Planning Advisor to MHDC a box
extension was added to trench 66 to better investigate a geophysical anomaly of
uncertain origin subsequently shown to be the result of a previously unrecorded
modern drain. In December 2022, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of land
at Areley Common, Astley Cross, Stourport-On Severn, Worcestershire. A total of 70
trenches, were excavated, equivalent to a 4% sample of the 9.4ha trenchable part of the
proposed development area. The trial trenching followed on from an earlier geophysical
survey that identified anomalies taken to primarily reflect agricultural land usage, modern
activity and anomalies of a natural or undetermined origin. Cropmarks indicative of
prehistoric and Roman archaeological remains have been recorded from a 1959 aerial
photograph on land to the south and also within part of the site.
The evaluation identified a cluster of features of Roman date, primarily in the northeast part
of the site, in an area that had not previously been subject to geophysical survey due to
being heavily overgrown at the time of survey.
Centred on trenches 41, 42 and 44 to 47, with outlying features in trenches to the west
principally comprising what appear to be field system ditches, features in the core area
comprised pits, ditches and a possible ring gully in trench 46. Pottery indicates activity
broadly spans the 2nd to 4th century period, with the material including regional wares from
Dorset, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire as well as a mix of locally produced
coarsewares. Vessel forms include bowls, jars and at least one mortarium, all likely involved
in the storage and consumption of food, suggesting a domestic/ settlement related aspect to
the site.
A series of ditches were also recorded across the site, seemingly representing successive
phases of land division and management over time. Some appear to be of Roman date,
such as ditch 3702 in trench 37, while others, such as ditch 3402 in trench 34, are post-medieval. Others remain undated but are conjectured to be post-Roman in date.
Trench 61 contained a single seemingly isolated pit containing three charcoal-rich fills from
which fired clay was recovered. Other apparently isolated and undated pits were
encountered in trench 22 and trench 70, while a large probable quarry pit was investigated in
trench 69. Roman material recovered from the backfill is considered to be redeposited and
the feature is most likely of post-medieval date although not seemingly depicted on any
historic maps of the site. An intermittent anomaly crossing trench 66 was the result of an
unrecorded service.
The focus of activity in the northeast of the site and the isolated pit in trench 61 aside, the
remainder of the proposed development area appears to contain only features related to the
past agricultural management of the land, quarrying, or is otherwise devoid of archaeological
remains. |
