Land North of Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: cotswold2-251473)
Cotswold Archaeology, 2016. https://doi.org/10.5284/1039963. How to cite using this DOI
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Hazel
O'Neill
Cotswold Archaeology
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 2386
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1039963
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
In October 2015, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology at land north of Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire. The work was carried out in order to inform a planning application for the development of the land for employment use. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of fifty-six trenches.
Cropmarks of a ditched enclosure, previously interpreted as the remains of a marching camp, are located within the site. Previous trial trench evaluation targeted on the cropmark enclosure and geophysical anomalies contained within it confirmed the presence of a ditched enclosure, measuring at least 70m by 70m and enclosing an area of c.0.49 hectares.
Where archaeological features were encountered during the current trenching there was a variable correlation with the results of the geophysical surveys. Archaeological features encountered comprised ditches, furrows and pits, generally dated to one of three broad periods; Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval/modern.
Ditches were identified within the western part of the site during the evaluation and these corresponded to cropmarks identified through aerial photography. The cropmarks appeared to represent a sub-rectangular feature measuring 70m in length and 82m in width. Pottery dating from the Late Iron Age to the Early Roman period onwards was recovered from the fill of these ditches. A number of ditches dating from the Romano-British period, representing elements of what appears to be a north-east/south-west orientated field/enclosure system, were identified in the north-western part of the site.
In addition medieval plough furrows were identified across the site on an east to west axis. These are interpreted as the remains of the former open field system associated with the settlement of Alcester.
Further ditches corresponding to a north, north-east/south, south-west orientated field system were identified, which although undated artefactually are considered to date to the post-medieval/modern period.
