Site and Post-Excavation Data from Evaluation and Mitigation of Outseats Farm, Alfreton, Derbyshire Area E 2018
Wessex Archaeology, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5284/1088086. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Wessex Archaeology unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Primary contact
Thomas
Burt
Archives Officer
Wessex Archaeology
Portway House
Old Sarum Park
Salisbury
SP4 6EB
UK
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4054
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1088086
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
In 2018 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by The Wheeldon Group, to carry out additional archaeological strip, map and record excavation (204890, Wessex Archaeology 2018c wessexar1-332833) at Outseats Farm, Alfreton, Derbyshire. This work was the latest stage in a programme of archaeological works in Area E, which has included geophysical survey (Wardell Armstrong 2017), trial trench evaluation (86562, Wessex Archaeology 2017b wessexar1-289327), strip map and record excavation (T23726, Wessex Archaeology 2018a wessexar1-309865) and two phases of additional evaluation trial trenching (86563, Wessex Archaeology 2018b wessexar1-319253). This followed previous evaluations at Outseats Farm in Areas A-C (86560, Wessex Archaeology 2012 wessexar1-152336) and in Area D (86561, Wessex Archaeology 2017a wessexar1-275158) deposited separately. These evaluations can be found in 'Images and Reports from Evaluations of Outseats Farm, Alfreton, Derbyshire Areas A-D 2012-2017'.
The investigations in Area E revealed a series of medieval enclosures and concluded that the enclosures were likely used for livestock containment. It was suggested that Outseats Farm may have begun life as a fold or shieling associated with a manorial estate that may have been a precursor to Carnfield Hall. These results have been expanded spatially and thematically as a result of the mitigation undertaken. It is now possible to say that the irregular curvilinear Enclosure 4 pre-dated the well-planned sub-rectangular Enclosures 1-3. A corn-drying kiln and environmental results provide evidence for arable activity, indicating mixed farming when combined with the livestock enclosure system. The earliest surviving remains in the post-medieval Outseats Farm complex were in the north-east. The probable farmhouse was retained from at least the 19th century until the late 20th century. Barns were developed and adapted piecemeal throughout the early and mid-20th century. Water management appears to have been a consistent theme in all periods. At least one unambiguous well was present, alongside several other features that could be wells or drains. The project archive has been deposited with Derby Museum and Art Gallery under Accession code: DBYMU 2012-181. A publication is available in the Derbyshire Archaeological Journal, Volume 141, 2021.
