Berkshire Archaeological Journal 76

Valley sediments on chalkland provide a rich archive of archaeological information, however their distribution has proved difficult to predict in the field. This project was conducted on the Berkshire Downs and uses the presence of ancient fields as the source of prehistoric soil loss together with some simple soil and topographic factors in order to predict the location of these valley sediments. The trial uses a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approach. A programme of field-testing proved the model to be 71% accurate. Observations about the age and distribution of archaeo-colluvium allow a review of the archaeological history of the Berkshire Downs. An evaluation of some of the assumptions of the model provided feedback and a revised method found some preliminary correlation on landscapes at Stonehenge, Maiden Castle and the South Downs.

This evaluation at East Park Farm, Charvil, Berkshire found a small number of Palaeolithic flints and what appeared to be a large, natural, sub-circular scoop measuring l7m across, a possible old land surface and a discrete mound of distinctive `chocolate brown' soil. Neolithic pottery in the mound soil suggested an area protected from ploughing, and the possible survival of a prehistoric earthwork. A ditch and gully of probable Iron Age date were also recorded.

Finds of Early to Mid Saxon pottery are unusual in southern England. The pottery found at Padworth, Berkshire is particularly important because some of the pottery is made from clay that came from the Abingdon area over twenty miles away. This suggests that pottery was being traded between communities at a period when it is usually assumed that pottery was only made for very local use.