1117130. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Clifton Meadows Long Whittenham, Oxfordshire: Written Scheme of Investigation

Series:

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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/10.5284/1117130

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

Archaeological work was undertaken on the commencement of groundwork. All work was undertaken with prior written approval of the scope of works and methodology employed via submission of an area specific WSIs to the Planning Archaeologist, Oxfordshire County Council. DigVentures informed OCAS prior to the commencement of fieldwork. The strategy for archaeological evaluation, including the size, number and location of archaeological trenches was discussed in advance with Richard Oram, Planning Archaeologist, and OCAS. Each trench was stripped of topsoil mechanically under archaeological supervision and down to the archaeological horizon. Trenches were cleaned by hand and any archaeological features were excavated by context to the level of natural deposits, where it is safe to do so. No trenches were handed back to the Client until written confirmation that they were signed off was obtained from OCAS. All GIS files of the final site plans will be submitted to OCAS once completed. A site visit was undertaken to monitor the archaeological evaluation during works on Thursday 18 July. Richard Oram of OCAS visited the site of Clifton Meadows to inspect and monitor the archaeological investigation as it progressed. No areas of archaeological investigation were handed back to the Client until formally signed off by OCAS. Fifteen trenches were excavated at Clifton Meadows, totalling 520m of linear trenching. Trenching was positioned over geophysical anomalies and to establish the nature, character and survival of a Roman trackway and viable bridging point across the River Thames. Archaeological features were revealed in Trenches 12, 13, 14, 17, 20 and 25. In Trenches 13 and 14, a couple of ditches likely bounding the edges of a former trackway were identified. A couple of potsherds were recovered from the trackway ditches indicating that it dated from the C1st – C2nd AD. None of the other features revealed in the other trenches were datable, although were likely contemporary. No evidence of the bridge point was encountered. Twenty trenches were excavated at Church Farm, totalling 700m of linear trenching. Trenching was located to target poorly defined geophysical anomalies. Archaeological features were revealed in Trenches 26 – 29, 32, 37, 38, 40 and 45. In Trenches 26 – 29, 32, 38 and 45, a couple of ditches were identified that likely bounded the edges of a north – south aligned trackway. The trackway may have potentially been part of this Roman series of trackways identified to the west of the site and was superficially comparable with the Roman trackway uncovered at Clifton Meadows. In Trench 26, intercutting linear and circular features were also identified. None of these features could be excavated due to wet conditions, although appeared likely to be drainage ditches cutting through earlier pits. In Trenches 37 and 40, linear features were identified that likely served as drainage ditches, neither corresponded with anomalies identified on the geophysical survey. No finds were recovered from any of the features in Church Farm, as such the chronological phasing for the archaeological features is unclear. However, the intercutting nature of the features suggested at least two phases of activity. Four trenches were excavated at Overy Mead, totalling 100m of linear trenching. Trenching was located principally to investigate the potential for continuation of the roadside settlement identified to the east of the site and projected to run along the southern side of Henley Road across the northern boundary of the Overy Mead.

Author:

Stuart Noon

Joshua Hogue
Chris Casswell

Manda Forster

Publisher:

DigVentures

Year of Publication:

2019

Locations:

District:	South Oxfordshire
Parish:	Long Wittenham
Parish:	Little Wittenham
Country:	England
Parish:	Dorchester
County:	Oxfordshire

Grid Reference: 458006, 193744 (Easting, Northing)

Grid Reference: 456877, 194391 (Easting, Northing)

Grid Reference: 455675, 195695 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

DITCH (Monument Type England)

ROAD (Monument Type England)

ROMAN TRACKWAY (Tag)

TRACKWAY (Monument Type England)

POST (Object England)

UNCERTAIN POST (Tag)

UNCERTAIN DRAINAGE DITCH (Tag)

ROMAN DITCH (Tag)

EVALUATION (Event)

ROMAN ROAD (Tag)

DRAINAGE DITCH (Monument Type England)

ROMAN SETTLEMENT (Tag)

SETTLEMENT (Monument Type England)

ROMAN (Historic England Periods)

UNCERTAIN (Historic England Periods)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

digventu1-508065

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

19 Jan 2024