Title: |
Ashton Middle School, Dunstable, Bedfordshire: Archaeological Trial Trenching |
Series: |
Albion Archaeology unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
albionar1-252912_1.pdf (2 MB)
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Download
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
A pre-application planning enquiry was submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council for residential development on land at the former Ashton Middle School, High Street North, Dunstable, Bedfordshire. As the proposed development area lies just outside the Roman town Durocobrivis and medieval core of Dunstable, the Central Bedfordshire Council Archaeologist advised that an archaeological trial trench evaluation be undertaken comprising the excavation of six trenches t The investigations revealed archaeological features in four of the six evaluation trenches. All the features are likely to date to the 19th or 20th centuries. No evidence for Roman or medieval occupation was found. Three elements of probably the same modern feature were revealed They had near vertical profiles and contained two parallel lines of reinforced concrete slabs that were c. 1.5m apart. Conversations with the former school caretaker, trustees and locals indicate that a WW2 air-raid shelter was located in this part of the school. It is likely, therefore, that the remains uncovered form part of that structure. A N-S aligned ditch revealed had a near vertical profile with a flat base and its only fill produced no dating evidence. However, it is thought to be of a recent date as it was cut from the top of buried subsoil that produced small amount of brick/tile of late post-medieval or modern date. A possible soak-away structure was revealed . The structural cut continued beyond the limits of the trench at its NW end and contained a 'dome'-like round brick structure bonded with sandy mortar with a ceramic pipe at its apex indicating it collected water from a NW direction. This, in turn, suggests the soak-away was not associated with the school and likely pre-dates its establishment in 1887. |
Editor: |
Karen Hardy
Caroline R Wickham-Jones
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Publisher: |
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
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Other Person/Org: |
Ann MacSween (Author contributing)
Mike Cressey (Author contributing)
James H Barrett (Author contributing)
Kevin J Edwards (Author contributing)
Patrick J Ashmore (Author contributing)
Andrew Heald (Author contributing)
Nyree Finlay (Author contributing)
Nicky Milner (Author contributing)
Rick J Schulting (Author contributing)
Robert Shiel (Author contributing)
Alastair G Dawson (Author contributing)
Susan Dawson (Author contributing)
Phil Austin (Author contributing)
Stuart D Campbell (Author contributing)
Anthony Newton (Author contributing)
Rachel Parks (Author contributing)
A Isbister (Author contributing)
L McAllan (Author contributing)
Fraser Green (Author contributing)
Ann Clarke (Author contributing)
Fraser Hunter (Author contributing)
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Year of Publication: |
2016
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Locations: |
Site: |
Ashton Middle School |
County: |
Bedfordshire |
District: |
Central Bedfordshire |
Parish: |
DUNSTABLE |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 501610, 222330 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
albionar1-252912 |
OBIB: |
2016/163 |
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
29 Oct 2021 |