Data copyright © Wessex Archaeology unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Wessex Archaeology
Portway House
Old Sarum Park
Salisbury
SP4 6EB
UK
Tel: 01722 326867
Fax: 01722 337562
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Salisbury City Council to undertake a Watching Brief during enhancement works at Hudson's Field, Salisbury. These works include refurbishment of the entrance road to the public car park, creation of a new access road and creation of new parking spaces. The Site is located 2km north of Salisbury on the A345 road to Amesbury, 750m south of the multi-period hillfort of Old Sarum. The Site is currently under use as recreational playing fields. A study of the archaeological background of the Site indicated the proposed development lies within an area of archaeological significance. However, a recent geophysical survey did not identify any anomalies which of archaeological significance within the survey area. All construction activities which had the potential to expose archaeological remains were subject to monitoring. The ground works were carried out using a 360 degrees tracked mechanical excavator equipped with a flat ditching bucket in order to maximise archaeological visibility. Where archaeological deposits were encountered, excavation was undertaken by hand. Nine features were revealed and excavated. One pit was recorded at the north-eastern end of the access road and a further pit and postholes were recorded at the south-western extremity of the car park. The north eastern pit contained large amounts of burnt flint, the other to the south west contained struck flint and two sherds of late prehistoric pottery. One of the three postholes contained struck flint. Four further possible postholes/pits were excavated and recorded but were interpreted as root hollows or geological features. The work confirmed the findings of the geophysical survey that the Site lies on the periphery of the postulated extents of the Roman town of Old Sarum.