Images and GIS from an Evaluation West of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Cotswold Archaeology, 2022. https://doi.org/10.5284/1101227. How to cite using this DOI
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4875
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1101227
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images and GIS data from an archaeological evaluation carried out by Cotswold Archaeology on land west of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (centred at NGR: 391100, 223230) between September and December 2021 for BWB Consulting (BWB). A total of 248 trenches were excavated. The evaluation identified nine distinct areas of archaeological activity, primarily within the central and north-eastern extent of the proposed development area, all of which correlated with the evidence from a preceding geophysical survey. Only a limited number of additional features, predominantly shallow pits, gullies, postholes and treethrows, were revealed during the trenching that had not previously been identified by the geophysical survey. In seven of these identified archaeological areas, the activity comprised Roman enclosures, many of which displayed evidence for sub-division, with evidence for contemporary trackways. This activity appears to have commenced during the 1st and 2nd centuries, with later remodelling in the 2nd to 4th centuries. No definitive evidence for associated contemporary occupation was identified either within, or in close proximity to, the enclosures. Medieval activity was revealed in two of the areas and included a series of ditches/enclosures located in close proximity to a (now) demolished post-medieval farmstead. A possible trackway, comprising two parallel ditches, was identified adjacent to this medieval activity. Geophysical evidence for a sub-circular enclosure in the southeast of the site was confirmed during the current works. It measured approximately 40m in diameter, with the associated ditch being in excess of 4m in width, over 1.5m in depth and contained 12th to 14th-century medieval pottery. Evidence for broadly contemporary walls and both interior and exterior surfacing, as well as medieval ceramic roof tile, was identified within the interior of the enclosure. Such evidence is indicative of medieval occupation and may suggest that the enclosure is representative of a circular moat.
