1117133. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Clifton Meadows, Church Farm, Overy Mead, Little Wittenham Wood: Archaeological Mitigation Report

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/10.5284/1117133

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 (Casswell and Hogue 2020). DigVentures informed OCAS prior to the commencement of fieldwork. The strategy for archaeological monitoring, including the size and location of archaeological areas to be monitored was discussed in advance with Richard Oram, Planning Archaeologist, OCAS. Each area was stripped of topsoil mechanically under archaeological supervision and down to the archaeological horizon. Due to the nature of deposits and proximity to the river, there was a high probability that areas excavated would be inundated with water. Therefore, the archaeological methodology required a managed process of stripping – with enough flexibility to adapt to rising water levels – followed by immediate record and sampling of revealed archaeological features. Any presumed archaeological features were cleaned and excavated by hand to the level of natural deposits, where it was safe to do so. Due to enhanced restrictions because of Covid-19, no site monitoring visit was undertaken in person to inspect the archaeological works. Instead, weekly email updates with plans and photos were sent to Richard Oram of OCAS to facilitate remote inspection and monitoring throughout the archaeological investigations. No areas of archaeological investigation were handed back to the Client until formally signed off by OCAS. All work complied with CIfA Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation (2014). All works were undertaken in accordance with the standards set out within the WSI provided by DigVentures (Casswell and Hogue 2020) and the requirements of OCAS. The Client afforded reasonable access so that all archaeological features and deposits revealed during excavations and groundwork could be investigated and recorded appropriately. Expected depths of the archaeological horizons and the potential for encountering archaeological remains were calculated based on the evaluation results (Jago et al 2019). Archaeological potential was determined based on the results of the evaluation trial trenching and the maximum construction depth, with values assigned. In areas of high and medium potential a Strip, Map and Record was required, and where the potential is deemed to be low, a Watching Brief. Where the maximum depth of excavation was not to exceed the top of the archaeological horizon, no further archaeological work was required. If archaeological features were exposed at the level of impact, a full strip, map and record or watching brief methodology was to be undertaken as appropriate. All areas were stripped of overburden deposits with a mechanical excavator under continuous archaeological supervision from outside the exclusion zone of the excavator, down to the first archaeological horizon. All machine excavation was carried out using a ditched bucket and once each area had been stripped to depth, access was agreed with the construction contractor for archaeologists to enter the area so it could be cleaned and recorded in plan and investigated appropriately. Ground water levels were expected to be high and it was known that most areas would become inundated with water within hours of them being open. Where features were excavated down to the depth of the archaeology within one day, it was expected that there would be enough time to enable investigations to take place before the water level encroached to cover the remains in the area. However, where ponds and backwater channels would take more than one day to excavate, a staged approach to the stripping was employed.

Author:

Stephanie Duensing

Publisher:

DigVentures

Year of Publication:

2022

Locations:

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

Grid Reference: 458006, 193744 (Easting, Northing)

Grid Reference: 457292, 193050 (Easting, Northing)

Grid Reference: 456877, 194391 (Easting, Northing)

Grid Reference: 455675, 195695 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

WATCHING BRIEF (Event)

STRIP MAP AND SAMPLE (Event)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

digventu1-508071

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

19 Jan 2024