Title: |
Vale Cemetery, Luton, Bedfordshire: Archaeological Field Evaluation |
Series: |
Albion Archaeology unpublished report series
|
Downloads: |
|
Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
|
DOI |
|
Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
|
Abstract: |
In March and April 2005 Albion Archaeology undertook non-intrusive archaeological field evaluation (fieldwalking and geophysical survey) and trial trenching on land at Butterfield Green, near Luton, Bedfordshire. The work was occasioned by a proposed extension to the Vale Cemetery and Crematorium. The c.4ha proposed cemetery extension lies on the north-eastern fringes of Luton. The Icknield Way and the Edeway run to the north of the proposed development and a number of early prehistoric ritual and burial monuments are present on the chalk downland. The area also demonstrates significant medieval activity in the form of manors and associated earthworks. The evaluation demonstrated the presence of Iron Age, Roman and medieval remains within the proposed development area. On the evidence of the trial trenching, the western part of the site has the highest archaeological potential, a conclusion supported by the distribution of artefacts recovered during fieldwalking. Artefacts recovered from the fills of ditches representing field systems, hint at likely settlement activity to the west of the development area. This is particularly the case for the early middle Iron Age and medieval periods, the remains of which are likely to be of regional significance. Although the geophysical survey demonstrated limited archaeological potential throughout the entire site, both the trial trenching and fieldwalking suggested that the eastern part of the site is unlikely to contain significant archaeological remains. |
Author: |
J Pixley
Joe Abrams
|
Publisher: |
Albion Archaeology
|
Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Central Bedfordshire HER (OASIS Reviewer)
|
Year of Publication: |
2005
|
Locations: |
Site: |
Vale Cemetery Extension, Luton |
Parish: |
LUTON |
District: |
Luton |
County: |
Bedfordshire |
Country: |
England |
|
Subjects / Periods: |
|
Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
albionar1-15191 |
OBIB: |
2005/25 |
|
Note: |
A4 bound report
|
Source: |
|
Relations: |
|
Created Date: |
23 Nov 2016 |