1116101. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Evaluation at Foxbridge, Swindon, Wiltshire, Phase 2

Series:

Oxford Archaeological Unit unpublished report series

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Biblio Note

This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.

Licence Type:

ADS Terms of Use and Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1116101

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

Phase 1 The proposed works were to comprise the excavation of 30 trenches measuring 50m by 1.8m (Phase 1 trenches). The trenches were positioned to provide an even coverage of the proposed development area and to investigate the results of the geophysical survey. Trenches 8, 9, 17, 18 and 19 were excavated in the area where the preceding geophysical survey had indicated intense roadside activity and therefore had greater potential to contain archaeological remains. Archaeological investigations in this area were minimally intrusive and limited to the hand dug slots requested by the archaeological advisor to Swindon Borough Council. The limited scope of the investigation was driven by the intention to preserve the remain in situ, but works were further restricted due to poor ground conditions. The presence of public rights of way, ecological exclusion zones and services were taken into consideration when producing the proposed trench layout; however, minor alterations were required in the field due to unforeseen constraints. Localised flooding prevented the excavation of Trench 11. Trenches 19a and 19b were moved slightly from their intended location to avoid the overhead cables. Once the trenches had been open, all spoil heaps and the exposed archaeological features were scanned with a metal detector. All recovered finds were assigned a unique identifying number and associated with the context from which they were recovered. A previously disturbed inhumation was identified during the mechanical removal of overburden deposits and a buried soil in Trench 8. Upon discovery of the burial an application was submitted to the Ministry of Justice for a burial licence should further remains be identified. Phase 2 The seven trenches were positioned in accordance with the proposed layout established in the WSI and were positioned to ground truth the results of the geophysical survey. The trenches were located using a GPS with sub-25mm accuracy. Mechanical excavation was undertaken using a 13 ton 360˚, 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. Phase 3 The presence of dense shrubbery constricted space in the proposed locations of Trenches 34, 35a and 35b, and therefore the trenches were reduced in length and their orientations altered. The trenches were located using a GPS with sub-15mm accuracy. Mechanical excavation was undertaken using a JCB 3CX 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. Phases 2 & 3 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 had been exposed, further excavation proceeded by hand and the appropriate use of a machine. 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. 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. The surface of all features and arisings from both hand and machine excavation were scanned with a metal detector to aid recovery of metal objects. Digital photos were taken of any archaeological features, deposits, trenches, and evaluation work in general. On-site planning was undertaken using a GPS with sub-25m accuracy except where archaeological features warranted hand-drawn plans due to their complexity.

Author:

John Boothroyd

Publisher:

Oxford Archaeology

Other Person/Org:

Wiltshire and Swindon HER (OASIS Reviewer)

Year of Publication:

2021

Locations:

County:	Wiltshire
Parish:	Wanborough
Country:	England
County:	Swindon
District:	Swindon

Grid Reference: 419792, 184462 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

DITCH (Monument Type England)

TILE (Object England)

ROMAN PIT (Tag)

TREE THROW (Monument Type England)

ROMAN COIN (Tag)

OYSTER SHELL (Object England)

ROMAN KNIFE (Tag)

ANIMAL REMAINS (Object England)

POST MEDIEVAL DITCH (Tag)

HUMAN REMAINS (Object England)

COIN (Object England)

ROMAN BEAM SLOT (Tag)

ROMAN HUMAN REMAINS (Tag)

LATE BRONZE AGE LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Tag)

LATE IRON AGE DITCH (Tag)

ROMAN SHERD (Tag)

EARLY NEOLITHIC DITCH (Tag)

HOB NAIL (Object England)

MIDDEN (Monument Type England)

RIDGE AND FURROW (Monument Type England)

ROOF SLAB (Object England)

EVALUATION (Event)

ROMAN MIDDEN (Tag)

ROMAN ROOF SLAB (Tag)

ROMAN HOB NAIL (Tag)

MIDDLE BRONZE AGE DITCH (Tag)

DRAINAGE DITCH (Monument Type England)

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT (Object England)

UNCERTAIN RIDGE AND FURROW (Tag)

CERAMIC (Object England)

ROMAN DRAINAGE DITCH (Tag)

ROMAN TRACKWAY (Tag)

TRACKWAY (Monument Type England)

UNCERTAIN BOUNDARY DITCH (Tag)

MEDIEVAL SHERD (Tag)

NAIL (Object England)

WALL (Monument Type England)

WHETSTONE (Object England)

ROMAN GRAVE (Tag)

ROMAN PIN (Tag)

ROMAN WALL (Tag)

PIN (Object England)

LATE BRONZE AGE SHERD (Tag)

BOUNDARY DITCH (Monument Type England)

UNCERTAIN WHETSTONE (Tag)

ROMAN CERAMIC (Tag)

GRAVE (Monument Type England)

ROMAN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT (Tag)

MEDIEVAL DITCH (Tag)

PIT (Monument Type England)

KNIFE (Object England)

POST MEDIEVAL SHERD (Tag)

LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Object England)

ROMAN BEAD (Tag)

UNCERTAIN NAIL (Tag)

ROMAN DITCH (Tag)

LATE MESOLITHIC LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Tag)

IRON AGE SHERD (Tag)

MEDIEVAL KEY (LOCKING) (Tag)

BEAM SLOT (Monument Type England)

ROMAN TREE THROW (Tag)

SHERD (Object England)

ROMAN ANIMAL REMAINS (Tag)

EARLY IRON AGE DITCH (Tag)

BEAD (Object England)

KEY (LOCKING) (Object England)

ROMAN OYSTER SHELL (Tag)

POST MEDIEVAL TILE (Tag)

IRON AGE (Historic England Periods)

LATE BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)

LATE IRON AGE (Historic England Periods)

ROMAN (Historic England Periods)

MIDDLE BRONZE AGE (Historic England Periods)

MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)

EARLY NEOLITHIC (Historic England Periods)

POST MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)

EARLY IRON AGE (Historic England Periods)

LATE MESOLITHIC (Historic England Periods)

UNCERTAIN (Historic England Periods)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

oxfordar1-513968

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

30 Nov 2023