| Abstract: |
The archaeological evaluation comprised the excavation of 50 trenches, measuring c 30m by c 1.8m, distributed across Area 1, 2, 6 and 7 as follows:
• Area 1: 22 trenches (Trenches 27–48)
• Area 2: 13 trenches (Trenches 49–61)
• Area 6: 11 trenches (Trenches 16–26)
• Area 7: 4 trenches (Trenches 62–65)
In total, the trenches represented a c 1% sample of Areas 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the site and were located to establish the reliability of the geophysical survey results and to test blank areas. A further 1% contingency sample was held in reserve should more archaeological remains be revealed beyond that identified within the geophysical survey.
The trenches were generally positioned in accordance with the WSI, though Trench 25 was relocated further to the south-west in order to investigate a geophysical anomaly of probable archaeological origin in the south-west of Area 6. Trench 19 (Area 6) was also extended by 3m to the south-west in order to establish the continuation of the ditch seen in Trenches 17 and 18. In addition, Trench 59 (Area 2) was repositioned directly to the south-west to target an agricultural trend and other anomalies of possible natural origin detected by the geophysical survey. Following the excavation of Trench 40 (Area 1), a 20m-long extension was added, creating a T-shaped arrangement, in order to confirm the termination of the trackway ditch as suggested by the geophysical survey results.
The trenches were laid out using a GPS with sub-15mm accuracy. They were excavated using an appropriately powered 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, whichever was encountered first.
The exposed surfaces were sufficiently cleaned to establish the presence/absence of archaeological remains. As outlined in the WSI, a sufficient sample of each feature or deposit type, for example pits and ditches, was hand excavated and recorded. Oxford Archaeology carried out a second phase of archaeological trial-trench evaluation at the site of a proposed community woodland project near Bicester, Oxfordshire, between March and April 2022. Cherwell District Council commissioned the fieldwork in order to inform their woodland design to help protect archaeological remains.
The site is in an area of considerable archaeological interest, situated immediately north of the Roman town of Alchester, close to the crossroads of two Roman roads. A preceding geophysical survey of the site undertaken in 2019 detected a number of anomalies of
probable and possible archaeological origin, across seven areas. These included linear anomalies suggestive of a trackway and associated rectilinear field system across Areas 1 and 2 and a series of linear and curvilinear anomalies suggestive of a large sub-circular enclosure and rectilinear enclosure/field system in Area 6. An initial phase of evaluation of Area 5 carried out by Oxford Archaeology in 2020 revealed the remains of a late Bronze Age/Iron Age ditch and a second undated ditch, which corresponded with features identified in the geophysical survey.
A total of 50 trenches were undertaken across Areas 1, 2, 6 and 7 as part of the Phase 2 evaluation, the majority of which were targeted on selected geophysical anomalies. Of these, 16 trenches were found to contain archaeological features, predominately comprising ditches together with a small number of pits, a posthole and plough furrows. A good correlation between the results of the geophysical survey and the archaeological evaluation was demonstrated. |
