| Abstract: |
The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2018a). The two-
phase mitigation strategy was informed by the results of the preceding geophysical
survey (SUMO 2018), archaeological evaluation (CA 2018b) and archaeological
watching brief (CA 2018c) and agreed by AC and Aidan Smyth (APA WDC)
Phase 1 comprised two archaeological SMS excavation areas, SMS 5A (0.91ha) and
SMS 5B (1.1ha), which were both located towards the eastern part of the
development area. SMS Area 5A lay under the footprint of the proposed
glasshouse and was investigated first in order to enable construction to proceed. The
investigation of SMS Area 5B took place following completion of the investigation in
Area 5A.
Phase 2 comprised the wider archaeological watching brief to the south and west of
the site covering approximately 9.7ha. Archaeological features exposed in this area
were subject to hand sampling by the attendant archaeologist.
Two areas at the west of the site (measuring 0.6ha and 0.7ha respectively) were
found during the previous geophysical survey and evaluation to contain dense
concentrations of archaeological features. Following consultation with Aidan Smyth
(APA WDC), AC and the client these areas were not excavated and the archaeology
within them has been preserved in situ. Cotswold Archaeology undertook a programme of archaeological investigation between July
and December 2018 at the request of Archaeology Collective (on behalf of Evesham Vale
Growers) at Rotherdale Farm, Throckmorton, Worcestershire. A total of 2.01ha was
excavated over two areas of investigation and an additional area of 9.7ha was monitored
during a watching brief.
The investigations revealed substantial evidence for Iron Age activity, including an Early Iron
Age co-axial field system, potential domestic structures and a well, which contained a
waterlogged partial wood ladder. Pollen recovered from environmental samples from the well
has enabled characterisation of the local landscape. Radiocarbon dates suggest this activity
took place during the 5th century BC. During the Middle Iron Age the site was occupied by a
large and impressive rectangular, double-ditched enclosure, containing ring-ditches
associated with several roundhouses. Middle Iron Age pottery and radiocarbon dates
suggest it was occupied during the 4th century BC and was perhaps only occupied for a few
generations, possibly going out of use by the end of the 4th century BC. Several external
enclosures were identified, possibly representing stock enclosures and/or horticultural plots.
A single human burial was found, placed within a pit. Environmental evidence suggests the
settlement had a mixed economy, and that the local landscape was largely open, with areas
of pastoral and arable land, and fields probably bounded by hedgerows. After a hiatus during
the Late Iron Age, Early Roman features include a trackway and a series of linear ditches,
which may represent horticultural ‘bedding trenches’, suggesting that the site had become
the focus for crop production by this time.
Finds include Iron Age pottery, briquetage, a glass bead and worked stone objects. A rich
environmental assemblage includes animal bone, charred and waterlogged botanical
remains and pollen from monolith samples. Bayesisan analysis of the important group of
radiocarbon dates has confirmed evidence for activity at the site during the Early to Middle
Iron Age, suggesting the main period of Iron Age activity at the site took place between the
5th and the end of the 4th centuries BC. |
