Title: |
Enhanced Geoarchaeological Desktop Assessment and Sedimentary Modelling for Midhurst Academy, Midhurst, West Sussex |
Series: |
Archaeology South East unpublished report series
|
Downloads: |
|
Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
|
DOI |
|
Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
|
Abstract: |
An archaeological and geoarchaeological watching brief was undertaken on geotechnical trial pits and boreholes by Archaeology South-East at Midhurst Rother College, Midhurst, West Sussex during late May/early June 2010. The work was commissioned by Gifford on behalf of their client.. Underlying natural deposits of silty sand with gravel lenses were encountered at between 28.23m OD in the west of the site to 14.54m OD in the centre of the site and 28.23m OD in the east. No archaeological features or finds were identified. A colluvial deposit was recorded in the northern trial pits at the base of the hill slope. Some evidence of terracing was identified on the playing fields. The geoarchaeological watching brief suggested the site to hold moderate potential for the recovery of Pleistocene archaeology in the form of stone artefacts and palaeoenvironmental data in the form of faunal remains, and environmental indicators such as molluscs, pollen and microfauna. Substantial deposits known to preserve Palaeolithic artefacts and fauna are preserved elsewhere in the valley at the Midhurst Academy site at relatively shallow depths. In July 2010 a desktop assessment of these results and likely potential for Quaternary environmental and archaeology was produced. 3D modelling produced a zoned characterisation of the site. Made Ground is present at shallow depths across the site, overlying sandy Head Deposits which relate to slope processes. Below this, the site divides into three broad zones. A Lower Slope Zone where no indication of sedimentation is known below 1.5m but which has the potential to hold Holocene fluvial sedimentation. A Mid-Slope Zone under the current school where extensive fluvial deposits are present as part of a terrace sequence and locally found at depths of 1m below the modern land surface. An Upper Slope Zone again only investigated to depths of 1.5m but contained a localised deposit of rooted clay below apparent Holocene Head Deposits. |
Author: |
Matt Pope
|
Publisher: |
Archaeology South East
|
Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
West Sussex SMR (OASIS Reviewer)
|
Year of Publication: |
2010
|
Locations: |
Site: |
Midhurst Academy |
County: |
West Sussex |
District: |
Chichester |
Parish: |
MIDHURST |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 488630, 122126 (Easting, Northing)
|
|
Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
archaeol6-78034 |
OBIB: |
ASE Report No: 2010211 |
|
Note: |
A4 report
|
Source: |
|
Relations: |
|
Created Date: |
29 Oct 2021 |