| Abstract: |
The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 14 trenches, eleven measuring 30m long x 1.8m wide, two measuring 15m long x 1.8 m wide and one measuring 10m long x 1.8m wide, in the locations shown on Figure 2. The trenches were positioned to provide a generally even distribution across the site, allowing for overhead cables, underground services, areas of woodland (as shown on Fig. 2) and other obstructions. Trenches 8 and 9 were moved to allow for a concentration of thorn bushes. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (CA 2009). All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (CA 2007). Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (CA 2003) and, no deposits were identified that were suitable for sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (CA 2010). The archive and artefacts from the evaluation, which are currently held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes, will be deposited with Buckinghamshire County Museum. A summary of information from this project, as set out within Appendix D, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain. In March 2017, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology of land at Marsworth Road and Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The evaluation, which was commissioned by Archaeology Collective, acting on behalf of Nicholas King Developments PLC, was carried out to inform a planning application 16/02142/PREAPP for residential development. The evaluation comprised the excavation of fourteen trial trenches, eleven measuring 30m long x 1.8m wide, one measuring 15m long x 1.8 m wide and one measuring 10m long x 1.8m wide. Two former Roman roads are recorded in close proximity to the north and east of the site. The Icknield Way passes immediately to the north of the site and the Viatores Road 169a, thought to be a predecessor to Watling Street, passes 50m to the east of the site. The purpose of the evaluation was to confirm the presence or absence of archaeological remains within the site. The site comprised two fields divided by existing field boundaries, the northern part of the site comprised an area of former allotments and the southern part of the site consisted of an area of open land to the south of Pitstone recreation ground and memorial hall. The five trenches positioned within the northern part of the site revealed deposits associated with the former allotments but no archaeological deposits or remains were revealed. The nine trenches positioned within the southern part of the site revealed a concentration of archaeological features, largely comprising ditches and gullies. Romano-British and medieval pottery was recovered from features in four (Trenches 11-14) of the nine trenches. Overall, the site is generally characterised by occupation of an agricultural nature comprising field systems and boundaries of Roman and medieval date. |
