| Abstract: |
In March 2017, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology of land at Marsworth Road and Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The evaluation, which was commissioned by Archaeology Collective, acting on behalf of Nicholas King Developments PLC, was carried out to inform a planning application 16/02142/PREAPP for residential development. The evaluation comprised the excavation of fourteen trial trenches, eleven measuring 30m long x 1.8m wide, one measuring 15m long x 1.8 m wide and one measuring 10m long x 1.8m wide. Two former Roman roads are recorded in close proximity to the north and east of the site. The Icknield Way passes immediately to the north of the site and the Viatores Road 169a, thought to be a predecessor to Watling Street, passes 50m to the east of the site. The purpose of the evaluation was to confirm the presence or absence of archaeological remains within the site. The site comprised two fields divided by existing field boundaries, the northern part of the site comprised an area of former allotments and the southern part of the site consisted of an area of open land to the south of Pitstone recreation ground and memorial hall. The five trenches positioned within the northern part of the site revealed deposits associated with the former allotments but no archaeological deposits or remains were revealed. The nine trenches positioned within the southern part of the site revealed a concentration of archaeological features, largely comprising ditches and gullies. Romano-British and medieval pottery was recovered from features in four (Trenches 11-14) of the nine trenches. Overall, the site is generally characterised by occupation of an agricultural nature comprising field systems and boundaries of Roman and medieval date. |
