1116103. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Oxford, Land to the Rear of Building 70, BMW Mini Plant, Archaeological Controlled Strip Report

Series:

Oxford Archaeological Unit unpublished report series

Downloads:

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Biblio Note

This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has not been reviewed by the relevant HER. 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/10.5284/1116103

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

The excavation was undertaken in accordance with the WSI and Oxford City Council brief (OA 2022), which refer to Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (2014a) Standard and guidance for archaeological excavation. The scope of works and method were defined in the brief and WSI as follows: The definition of an archaeological watching brief is a formal programme of observation and investigation conducted during any operation carried out for nonarchaeological reasons. This will be within a specified area or site on land, or underwater, where there is a possibility that archaeological deposits may be disturbed or destroyed. The programme will result in the preparation of a report and ordered archive (CIfA 2020). A ‘controlled strip’ is a type of ‘watching brief’ which incorporates most of the recording methods and standards applicable to formal ‘excavation’. As in a standard watching brief the archaeological work in this case was carried out as a preliminary stage in the construction project, with plant and other attendances provided by the construction contractor. Unlike a standard watching brief, the archaeological site supervisor had control over the depth and method of mechanical excavation, rather than simply observing the excavation. The work was completed in a 1-week programme (29/08/2022 to 02/09/2022). No contingencies for further work were required as the range and quantity of archaeology found was broadly as expected. The excavation footprint was mechanically stripped using a wide, toothless ditching bucket to a depth at which any archaeological features could be mapped and investigated by hand excavation, in this case c 700mm below ground level. The comparatively thick soil sequence is probably explained by colluvium and/or alluvium accumulated in the valley of the small stream which lies adjacent to the site to the east. The controlled strip was limited to the deepest part of the new drainage swale. The sides of the swale will be battered at a shallow angle of slope and no features could be seen in plan in the battered parts. As per the brief and WSI, while the work was technically a watching brief, recording standards were the same as for a formal excavation. Features were recorded in plan at an appropriate scale and accurately located in relation to the National Grid. The archaeological features were mapped using GPS survey. Each context was recorded on pro-forma records. Sections were drawn through all significant cut features and levelled to ordnance datum. The primary photographic archive comprises digital photographs, which will be submitted to the Archaeology Data Service as part of the permanent digital archive. Digital imaging guidelines require that only cameras of ten mega pixel specification (or greater) should be used. OA site digital cameras have a minimum specification of 12 mega pixels. Digital Image capture and file storage will be compliant with Historic England’s guidelines (2015c). No human remains were found. All stratified finds were collected by context. Oxford Archaeology (OA) was commissioned by David Lock Associates, on behalf of BMW UK Manufacturing Ltd, to undertake an archaeological watching brief (controlled strip) in relation the development of a new vehicular test track and associated works on land to the rear of Building 70 within the BMW plant at Garsington Road, Oxford. The controlled strip produced useful information regarding late Iron Age and/or early Roman activity along the line of the Dorchester-Alchester Roman road, located on the Corallian ridge to the south-west of Oxford. This part of the city is recognised for its nationally important Roman pottery industry, evidence for which has been found in the past at dispersed locations broadly along the line of the Roman road.

Author:

Stuart Foreman

Publisher:

Oxford Archaeology

Year of Publication:

2023

Locations:

Parish:	Oxford, unparished area
Country:	England
County:	Oxfordshire
District:	Oxford

Grid Reference: 456159, 204129 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

DITCH (Monument Type England)

PIT (Monument Type England)

LATE IRON AGE SHERD (Tag)

LATE IRON AGE PIT (Tag)

WATCHING BRIEF (Event)

SHERD (Object England)

UNCERTAIN DITCH (Tag)

NAIL (Object England)

LATE IRON AGE DITCH (Tag)

UNCERTAIN NAIL (Tag)

LATE IRON AGE (Historic England Periods)

UNCERTAIN (Historic England Periods)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

oxfordar1-514359

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

30 Nov 2023