| Abstract: |
Two 10m by 1.6m trenches were opened to the archaeological horizon across the
proposed site. Trenches were accurately set out using a GPS system prior to their
excavation. This was particularly important as the projected location of trenches were
positioned to maximise chances of investigating post-medieval and Saxon remains on
site. However, Trench 1 was moved slightly to accommodate space for the machine to
dig the trench on site, bending slightly east on at the northern end of the trench.
The removal of topsoil and other overburden was undertaken by a 360o tracked 7-ton
machine, using a toothless bucket. The exposed surfaces were cleaned. There are three phases of activity that have been identified on this site; medieval, post
medieval, and modern.
Medieval
The only evidence for medieval activity on this site rests upon a two sherds of pottery.
One of these was identified as Brill/Boarstall Ware which dates from the AD1200 – 1600,
while it was only possible to date the second piece of pottery to the medieval period
gernerally. Both shards were discovered within a fill of the large feature in Trench 1, (1/05).
That is not to say that this deposit can be dated to the medieval period, as another find dating
to the post-medieval period was also found within this context; however, it does indicate
medieval activity in the area. Also due to the size of the feature, it is likely that it may have
been open for a significant amount of time, and the presence of this sherd indicates a
possibility of medieval activity and might suggest an earlier date for the cut of the feature.
Having said this, it is also entirely possible that this piece of medieval pottery is simply
residual. An environmental sample was taken from this deposit, which included a shard of
medieval pottery, animal bone, and burnt matiral, the levels of which are all consistant with
what one might expect through the slow process of the infilling of the feature through in wash
from inbourn particles, including the occational piece of contempory refuse.
Although the size of the feature precludes definite classification of this feature as either a
linear or discrete feature, the shape of the feature exposed in the trench looks is suggestive of
a large linear feature. This combined with the size and location of this feature might indicate that this is a large boundary ditch associated with the manor house. It appears to be parallel
with Barton Vilage Road.
While the sherd of pottery mentioned above is the only apparent evidence of medieval
activity on the site, the stratigraphic relationship between the larger feature and the gully in
Trench 1 indicates that the gully must be of an earlier date than the larger feature, thus this
small gully is likely to be of medieval date.
Post-Medieval
Most of the rest of the contexts have been identified as post-medieval in date. The
large probable ditch in Trench 1, although it may originate in the medieval period,
was in use in the post-medieval period through the finding of a sherd of pottery on
that period in its fill.
Ceramic building material that was dated to the post-medieval period was found
within the fill of the curving guley in Trench 2, (2/05), thus indicating a likely date for
both the gully, 2/04, and its fill (2/05). Its function is unknown. As this ditch was cut
by another ditch, 2/02, ditch 2/04 clearly precedes ditch 2/02. Thus ditch 2/02, as well
as its fill, 2/03, is likely to be either post-medieval or modern in date. This ditch is
likely to be associated with drainage, although there is a possibility it may be a
construction cut for a structure, which has since disappeared. As the fill of this ditch
contained moderate amounts of charcoal inclusions it has been suggested that context
(2/03) is a deliberate dump fill associated with the deposition of refuse as well as the
disuse of the ditch. |
