Series: DigVentures unpublished report series

Fieldwork was undertaken in April 2022 to address a series of research questions which focused on an extant series of earthworks observed in the LIDAR and subsequent walkover survey (Brightman 2020). The area investigated was located to the west of Smeathorns road, and comprised of a series of earthworks, ditches and banks, and enclosures. The investigations involved a programme of targeted excavation. In total, five trenches were opened over the course of the excavation, each investigated specific targets determined by the NYMNPA. The overall aim of the fieldwork carried out in 2022 was to explore what had been discovered firstly in the LIDAR study and the following walkover survey by carrying out a programme of intrusive excavation. From the excavations it was hoped to determine a chronology and function of the site and to determine its preservation. Prior to this investigation, the earthworks at the site were thought to be late Iron Age or Romano-British. Whilst there was a handful of fragments of Roman pottery, these were highly degraded and likely to have washed in from elsewhere. It is probable the Roman pottery didn’t travel far, and so there is likely a Roman presence on the site. Most of the artefacts recovered were worked lithics (n:200), these indicate that there were people living at the site in the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The results of the assessment of the lithics concluded that the material principally derives from the later Neolithic and early Bronze Age but includes some residual Mesolithic activity. From the 42 fragments of pottery recovered on site, over half of them are potentially handmade early prehistoric fragments (N:22), the rest have been dated predominantly to the late Roman period. It is recommended that further excavation is carried out at the site, this would involve opening larger trenches over enclosures to find more evidence pointing towards a settlement rather than a transient camp. It would also be pertinent to look at the potential round barrows that are on the site, to investigate whether these are related to the settlement, and to attempt to date these features. It would be relatively safe to assume that they are of the same the date as the enclosures given that other round barrows in the area are from the Neolithic or early Bronze Age. Finally, as excavation of late Neolithic sites is fairly rare this gives a brilliant opportunity to learn more about the people living at the site. What we have recovered so far is just a glimpse into what we may have.

An archaeological watching brief during the installation of a Tree House and Climbing Forest at High Lodge, situated within an area where Iron Age and Roman finds and occupation features were recorded, failed to detect any remains or finds of archaeological interest.

DigVentures, in partnership with Durham University, was commissioned by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to undertake a crowdfunded community-based archaeological research project at a recently discovered Bronze Age Burial monument at Bolton le Sands, Lancashire. The 'Barrowed Time' project was structured as a two-year long community engagement project, with fieldwork designed to help contextualise the unexpected discovery of a Late Bronze Age tanged chisel and knife blade by a local metal detectorist. During 2016 three small-scale evaluation trenches were excavated over the course of two weeks across the Bronze Age burial monument at Bolton le Sands, located to address specific questions. Trenches 1 and 2 comprised two hand dug trenches laid out in a north to south and east to west orientation They intersected in a cruciform pattern and measured 2m x 35m (N-S) and 2m x 25m (E-W) respectively. Remains of a Bronze Age ring cairn enclosing the upper contour of the hill were exposed in the eastern, western and southern part of the trenches. The northern part of the cairn was not identified and presumed to have been damaged by later ploughing. Further features comprised a post-medieval field boundary with well stratified post-medieval pottery in the overlying deposit in Trench 1, and in Trench 2 a pit that may have been dug in the Neolithic before being subsequently filled with cobbles, as well as an early modern backfilled clay pit. Trench 3 was a hand dug trench measuring 4m x 4m and located to target the evaluation trench excavated by UCLan in 2013. It was designed to further investigate the original deposition of the Treasure and to complete the excavation of a possible cremation burial. Excavation identified several features, including the former UCLan trench, a Bronze Age pit and a second pit with an inverted cremation urn that contained the remains of at least one young adult who was probably male. Later strontium isotope analysis of this individual’s remains suggest that they did not live in the local area during he early months of their life. Additional finds comprised abraded pot fragments, worked lithic material, burnt stone and cremated bone fragments. During 2017 two further small-scale evaluation trenches were excavated over the course of two weeks across the Bronze Age burial monument at Bolton le Sands. Trench 6 was a hand dug trench measuring 11m by 11m, located to unify the results of the 2016 excavations with those of the evaluation trench excavated by UCLan in 2013. A further urned cremation burial was excavated in this trench, recorded within an inverted cremation urn that was accompanied by an accessory vessel. Additionally four pits were identified which contained deposits dating to the Neolithic Period including a deliberately fragmented polished Langdale Axe. This trench also confirmed the level of disturbance at the site through more recent ploughing by identifying clear ridge and furrows marks across the trench. Trench 7 was a square trench measuring 5m by 5m with the aim of identifying a geophysical anomaly identified during the 2016 magnetometry survey. No features were found that related to this anomaly while the finds from this trench indicated that there had been a degree of mixing between prehistoric and modern material probably during the ploughing of the field.

Geophysical survey ahead of community archaeology project at the site of Middleham Castle, Bishop Middleham, County Durham,. Fieldwork was undertaken between the 5th to 25th of August 2019, following on from desk-based research, earlier geophysical and topographical surveys (Francis 1998, 1999) and a new geophysical magnetic survey (Phase Site Investigations 2019). Documentary evidence suggests an elite status for Middleham Castle with phases of structural development and alterations by successive Bishops. Remote sensing has provided a detailed account of the extent, layout and complexity of the site, but its development, nature and chronology remain elusive. Therefore, a programme of excavation was designed to investigate the castle layout (Forster and Brightman 2019). Significant structural remains were uncovered in the excavations suggestive of high-status buildings within both trenches indicative of the elite status of the Middleham Castle as a whole. The fieldwork recovered details of the form, character, chronology and function of structures retrieving an assemblage of artefacts and ecofacts providing insight into the decoration of the buildings, the daily life and material culture of the inhabitants. This will aid in the exploration of the relationship of the remains to nearby sites, including similar episcopal sites and how these settlements played a role in the wider environs. All data was recorded by project archaeologists using a web accessible relational database. This is housed on the project microsite, which can be explored by following the links shown in green font throughout the report.

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.

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.

DigVentures was appointed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to undertake a community-based archaeological investigation at Loversall Carr, Potteric Carr nature reserve, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (NGR: SK 59162 99791), consisting of small-scale archaeological interventions. Fieldwork took place between the 1st and 2nd April 2023 investigating the extent, nature and significance of the surviving archaeological remains through a programme of small-scale targeted trial-trenching. The overarching aim of this fieldwork was to provide baseline information to contribute to the future management and presentation of the site, whilst creating multiple educational and participatory learning experiences for community participants. Three test pits were excavated in a community focussed archaeological investigation at Loversall Carr, Potteric Carr nature reserve (NGR: SK 59162 99791), targeting features interpreted from aerial photograph and geophysical surveys indicative of a potential tri-vallate late Iron Age or early Romano-British enclosed settlement. Test Pit 1, internal to the settlement enclosure, revealed evidence of probable domestic occupation in the form of a number of small refuse and storage pits as well as a possible linear ditch or drainage gully. The cut marks present on animal bone recovered from these features suggests that at least one of the functions of the site was as a place for living, as evidenced by activities such as processing food, cooking, eating and the discarding of resulting waste products. Test Pits 2 and 3 focused on two of the three parallel boundary ditches enclosing the settlement itself. Both ditches were confirmed to contain waterlogged deposits of high paleoenvironmental potential. The presence of waterlogged deposits within the enclosure ditches of the settlement itself is particularly intriguing and suggests that the immediate surrounding landscape in the Iron Age was almost certainly a marsh environment. Such a large tri-vallate enclosure (at least 2.6 hectares) set within a low-lying marshland landscape draws parallels with the poorly understood site-type of Iron Age marsh forts, with the nearby nationally important site of Sutton Common just north of Doncaster being at present the only excavated and best understood example in the country. In total, the project welcomed 17 participants who joined the archaeological team in the trenches and succeeded in attracting a new audience for archaeology, with 59% of participants having never taken part in archaeology activities before. The Potteric Carr community archaeology project offered excavation training and experience to a diverse community of people from the local area, and evidence was collected for 94% of participants. DigVentures’ fieldschool training activities have been independently endorsed by CIfA. The insights gained from this evaluation has established a clear community need and demand for more archaeological work at Potteric Carr.

The work was undertaken on 5th May 2021 by Ben Swain on behalf of DigVentures. An archaeological presence was maintained during all groundwork on the Site. Minor works, comprising the excavation of a system of channels for the laying of drainage pipes, was completed using a mechanical excavator under archaeological supervision. These channels measured between 1.80m and 8.00m in length and between 0.30m and 0.50m in depth. All channels were constructed to a width of 0.40m, according to the size of the bucket used by the mechanical excavator. All work was completed under strict archaeological observation, with regular stops to enable examination of the exposed deposits. The methodology was designed to allow a sufficient sample of each feature type/deposit to be examined in order to establish the nature, extent and condition of the archaeological remains. All recording was undertaken using DigVentures pro forma recording system, supported by a digital photographic record conforming to standards outlined by Historic England (2015b). Monitoring of the groundworks revealed no significant archaeological finds or features. A shallow deposit of small-to-medium sized rounded stones was observed near to the chapel walls positioned below the lead waterspouts built into the walls above. This likely represented a modern drainage feature. The site yielded a common stratigraphic sequence of topsoil, subsoil and the natural horizon was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.50m. Finds of plastic wrappers, shards of glass, a roof tile, animal bone and sherds of pottery were present in some of the observed deposits. All of which are considered to be post-medieval or modern in date. No archaeological features were identified linked to the medieval chapel. The absence of any significant features may be because of the limited extent and depth of the excavations themselves. No evidence of the medieval chapel or associated activity was encountered but this does not discount the possibility that features associated with medieval occupation are located in the area. No further works are recommended, subject to approval by Historic England and Durham County Council Archaeology Section.

Community excavation on the inner bailey gatehouse at Pontefract Castle, involving targeted excavation, photogrammetric survey and a programme of public engagement. Significant remains were uncovered during the investigation, enabling a reinterpretation of the building and surrounding landscape during the medieval and post-medieval periods. The excavation area was an irregular shape in plan, measuring approximately 15m long and 10m wide between the existing footpath in front of the visitor centre and the base of the steps into the inner bailey. Seven distinct phases of activity were observed within the trench. The earliest represented by a casing wall which predated the construction of the gatehouse in the 14th or 15th century. The gatehouse structure is now understood to have been aligned north to south, forming a barbican passage bridge over the moat, within which was a large drawbridge pit. Mason’s marks found inside this pit and on the surviving external elevations of the building indicate it was likely constructed as part of a larger scheme of castle renovation commissioned in the 14th century. Layers investigated from within the drawbridge pit demonstrated a gradual accumulation of deposits from as early as the 14th through to the 17th century. Masonry of a different construction technique was found abutting one of the gatehouse towers. This structure has tentatively been interpreted as part of a redans built prior to the Civil War sieges in the 1640s. Further evidence for the sieges was found within the drawbridge pit where significant layers consisting of large stone rubble fragments indicated the castle’s demolition. Numerous lead musket balls dating to this period were also found from these deposits. Later episodes of robbing activity were evident around many of the walls, dating from the demolition of the gatehouse in 1649 through to the mid 19th century. By the 1880s much of the castle was subject to archaeological recording before the entire area was landscaped. At this time much of the upstanding gatehouse remains were remodelled to fit the aesthetic of a late Victorian romantic ruin. Public engagement was a key part of the success of the project, providing a range of opportunities for local community members, school children and visitors to the area to learn more about the archaeology of Pontefract Castle. A significant impact was made on participants and visitors alike, attracting a diverse community of people from an area of high deprivation to explore their heritage in new and different ways. The project succeeded in changing people’s perception of archaeology and local history while giving the opportunity to improve their skills and understanding of the discipline. Insights gained from this evaluation have established a clear community need and demand for more archaeological work at Pontefract Castle, and should assist with the impactful design and funding applications for any future activities.

Community excavation on the inner bailey gatehouse at Pontefract Castle, involving targeted excavation, photogrammetric survey and a programme of public engagement. Significant remains were uncovered during the investigation, enabling a reinterpretation of the building and surrounding landscape during the medieval and post-medieval periods. The excavation area was an irregular shape in plan, measuring approximately 15m long and 10m wide between the existing footpath in front of the visitor centre and the base of the steps into the inner bailey. Seven distinct phases of activity were observed within the trench. The earliest represented by a casing wall which predated the construction of the gatehouse in the 14th or 15th century. The gatehouse structure is now understood to have been aligned north to south, forming a barbican passage bridge over the moat, within which was a large drawbridge pit. Mason’s marks found inside this pit and on the surviving external elevations of the building indicate it was likely constructed as part of a larger scheme of castle renovation commissioned in the 14th century. Layers investigated from within the drawbridge pit demonstrated a gradual accumulation of deposits from as early as the 14th through to the 17th century. Masonry of a different construction technique was found abutting one of the gatehouse towers. This structure has tentatively been interpreted as part of a redans built prior to the Civil War sieges in the 1640s. Further evidence for the sieges was found within the drawbridge pit where significant layers consisting of large stone rubble fragments indicated the castle’s demolition. Numerous lead musket balls dating to this period were also found from these deposits. Later episodes of robbing activity were evident around many of the walls, dating from the demolition of the gatehouse in 1649 through to the mid 19th century. By the 1880s much of the castle was subject to archaeological recording before the entire area was landscaped. At this time much of the upstanding gatehouse remains were remodelled to fit the aesthetic of a late Victorian romantic ruin. Public engagement was a key part of the success of the project, providing a range of opportunities for local community members, school children and visitors to the area to learn more about the archaeology of Pontefract Castle. A significant impact was made on participants and visitors alike, attracting a diverse community of people from an area of high deprivation to explore their heritage in new and different ways. The project succeeded in changing people’s perception of archaeology and local history while giving the opportunity to improve their skills and understanding of the discipline. Insights gained from this evaluation have established a clear community need and demand for more archaeological work at Pontefract Castle, and should assist with the impactful design and funding applications for any future activities.