The Derbyshire Archaeological Journal 128

Archaeological investigations of land at Otterhole Farm, St John's Road, Buxton, involving trial-trenching, test-pitting and sieving, open area excavation and metal detector survey were carried out during 2003, prior to a decision on an application for planning permission for a proposed residential development. Evidence for human activity during the prehistoric period was recorded in the form of worked flint and chert recovered during the sieving of spoil from test pits. Most of the worked flint or chert appeared to be consistent with a Late Mesolithic date with the exception of a large scraper, of possible Neolithic date. In one field a relatively high concentration of flint/chert was recorded and the test-pitting was extended to include other parts of the site. Another concentration of flint/chert was identified in the same field as the first concentration. The two concentrations suggested the existence of two potential foci of activity during the Late Mesolithic period. These two areas were hand excavated and sample sieved in order to locate any archaeological features associated with the flint/chert concentrations and to recover a larger assemblage of finds. No archaeological features were identified; however a regionally important assemblage of worked flint and chert was recovered. The tools comprised discoidal scrapers, end scrapers, serrated flakes, bladelets, retouched pieces and microliths. The technology appeared to be geared to bladelet production with crested blades, bladelet core trimming flakes and bladelet cores much in evidence. The content of the lithic assemblage suggests the presence of a Late Mesolithic (6500--3500 BC) base or winter camp used by people following a hunter--gatherer way of life. Separately authored contributions include

A programme of archaeological work was undertaken at Littleover, Derby, on land adjacent to the site of the former Post House Hotel, in advance of development. A desk-based assessment and geophysical survey was followed by an archaeological evaluation. An area was then targeted for excavation, together with a watching brief maintained during development groundworks. The earliest excavated features was the cremation of a juvenile, contained within a Cordoned Urn of later Early Bronze Age date. Further cremations, possibly of this date, were recorded but not excavated. Also recorded was a line of pits, tentatively interpreted as part of a pit alignment. A length of Roman road, Ryknield Street, surfaced with gravel and flanked by drainage ditches, was also recorded. Separately authored contributions include

skeletal material from context F511 identifiable to skeletal element or age category

Brief, separately authored notes on fieldwork carried out at Scallywags Nursery, Castle Lane, Melbourne, and on the course of the River Trent Left Bank Flood Alleviation Scheme, Sawley--Long Eaton.

transcripts of the lists referred to in the paper

Account of the history, site description and discussion of the canal basin, house and coke store on the Erewash Canal consructed in 1840 to service the Midland Counties Railway at the point where it crossed the canal in Long Eaton. Includes