Berkshire Archaeological Journal 81

An archaeological evaluation on Childrey Hill, a high chalk spur on the northern edge of the Wessex Downs, identified a prehistoric cross dyke. The dating evidence is inconclusive but suggests a final cleaning in the Late Bronze or Early Iron Ages. It was also noted that the dyke follows a fault line in the chalk. Field observations on a number of other cross-dykes in Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire suggest that this may be a significant feature common to cross dykes in Wessex. Tilley (2010) has suggested that these dykes may have a spiritual purpose. A second parallel ditch was probably constructed later and had a different territorial purpose. There is evidence of possible re-use and further but unfinished development of the associated earthworks.

A small area excavation at St Peter’s Hill, Caversham, revealed a limited number of cut features including a medieval ditch. It also uncovered a moderately dense spread of Late Bronze Age pottery and flints within the subsoil.

Excavation at AWE Burghfield revealed scattered residual Mesolithic to Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age flintwork and two Middle Bronze Age features. Iron Age features included a substantial ditched enclosure. Some features were recut in the Roman period when a new enclosure was also built. Later there was extensive post-medieval disturbance around what was probably a medieval farm site. High status pottery, including amphora fragments, were associated with the Late Iron Age and Roman features.

A small area excavation took place at The Rectory, Church Road, Caversham, prior to redevelopment. It revealed features of medieval and later date. These comprised a small group of pits and parallel linear features, one of which was replaced by a flint-built wall. These are thought to be successive boundaries for properties fronting Church Road and add modestly to our knowledge of the topography of medieval and early post-medieval Caversham. A single struck flint of Mesolithic or earlier Neolithic date and three sherds of Bronze Age pottery were also found. Previous phases of investigation on the site had encountered only 19th- and 20th-century (or undated) features, but residual finds of medieval pottery and further prehistoric flints add to the evidence from the more recent work.

Little is known about the Leper Hospital in Windsor as the buildings have disappeared unrecorded and its own archive was lost in the 14th century. Nevertheless it has left evidence of its existence in local place-names and more evidence can be retrieved from the national documentary record.

"Strip and record exercises at Kennetholme Farm, Midgham revealed late prehistoric land divisions, the Roman road from Silchester to Cirencester and undated field systems. Prehistoric flint artefacts were recovered, however, no definite features of this date were identified.Watching briefs and a strip and record exercise have revealed portions of Late Bronze Age, Late Iron Age/Early Romano-British and medieval ditched trackways and a field system at Lower Farm, Greenham. Prehistoric flint artefacts were recovered during the stripping of topsoil but no features of this date were identified.An excavation at the west end of Newbury Racecourse, revealed a Late Bronze Age ditch and the superimposed foundations of two buildings, the post-medieval Greenham Farm and its 19th century replacement, Round Oak."

This paper explains how geophysics surveying can become an effective way of boosting the archaeological capabilities of individuals and groups with an interest in archaeology. The paper has three parts. The first part positions geophysics amongst the many areas of knowledge and skills exploited by archaeologists. The second part provides a case study of how a team in the Berkshire Archaeology Research Group have developed their ability to carry out geophysics surveys, while the last part summarises seven years of geophysics work in and around Berkshire.