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Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd
Office 8, Roewood Courtyard
Winkburn
Newark
Nottinghamshire
NG22 8PG
England
An archaeological evaluation was carried out by Pre-Construct Archaeology at Foxlow Farm, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire (NGR SK 0681 7136). The evaluation was undertaken between the 9th of October and the 6th of November 2017. The archaeological work was commissioned by CgMs Consulting Ltd (now RPS group), on behalf of Keepmoat Homes Ltd, and the evaluation took place under the requirements of a condition attached to outline planning permission. The aim of the work was to characterise the archaeological potential of the proposed development area and to investigate the anomalies identified on the geophysical surveys and also earthworks possibly relating to the Roman road from Buxton to Carsington/Derby which crosses north-west to south-east through the eastern part of the site running parallel to Ashbourne Road.
The evaluation confirmed the geophysical anomalies to be associated with the underlying limestone geology of the site and no archaeological remains were identified in these areas. Examination of the putative line of the Roman road uncovered ditches, a probable limestone wall footing and a gravel surface. The ditches and wall footing were in proximity to each other and appear to be a sequence of land boundaries. These are undated but previous investigations and cartographic evidence from the early 17th century suggest they represent a manorial boundary. It is likely that this had its origins in the medieval period but its broad alignment was maintained through the post-medieval period to the present standing field wall. The gravel surface was immediately below the extant drystone field boundary wall and the topsoil and would appear to be relatively recent. However, no dating evidence was recovered.