| Abstract: |
In compliance with an approved Written Scheme of Investigation (CA 2016a), four areas (Areas A, B, C and D) were excavated within two fields (Field 2 & 4) out of a total of five fields (Fields 1 – 5) which were assigned numbers during the trial trench evaluation (CA 2016c). Area A (Field 2) measured approximately 367m2 (0.0367ha) Area B (Field 2) measured approximately 380m2 (0.038ha) Area C (Field 2) measured approximately 1419m2 (0.1419ha) Area D (Field 4) measured approximately 1735m2 (0.1735ha) 4.2 Detailed excavation of Areas A, B, C and D targeted concentrations of archaeological features identified during the earlier evaluation (CA 2016c); (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 7 & 9). 4.3 Area C was extended approximately 45m2 to the north-east to further understand the features found within the trench. A sump was also machine-excavated to the north-east to manage the waterlogging of the area during the excavation. 4.4 Area D was extended approximately 30m2 to the north-east to further understand the features found within the trench. A borehole was found centrally within the trench. An archaeological excavation of four areas (Areas A, B, C and D), approximately 0.39ha in total, of land at Watery Lane, Church Crookham, Hampshire, was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in November and December 2016 for Martin Grant Homes. It followed the recording of two Pill Boxes (CA 2016b) and a trial trench evaluation (CA 2016c) of the wider development area. In all four areas archaeological features were identified during the excavation though of a limited number and type. The artefactual evidence indicated five phases of archaeological activity, with features dating from the Late prehistoric, medieval, medieval / post-medieval, and post-medieval to modern wartime periods. Several isolated prehistoric features were identified, as were field boundary ditches dating from the medieval to the post-medieval periods. Many undated, but presumed modern, postholes were found across the site. The postholes may have been the result of an extensive network of Second World War temporary timber structures known as tactical obstacles to include barbed wire entanglements and tank proof obstacles erected during anti-invasion defence works. These structures were likely to have been part of the important Stop Line Defence network, Line A of the GHQ (General Headquarters) line of defences, which were planned to slow down a ground invasion during the Second World War. |
