| Abstract: |
The evaluation fieldwork comprised the
excavation of 94 trenches, each measuring 50m in length and 2m in width. The WSI
also included for the provision of contingency trenching (equivalent of up to 1% of
the proposed development area) to be used if requested by the archaeological
advisor to SDC. In the event, 23 contingency trenches, ranging between 10m and
50m in length, with all being 2m in width, were excavated following discussions
between representatives from PG and the archaeological advisor to SDC. The
trenches were targeted to test the identified geophysical anomalies and also to
provide a representative sample of the remainder of the site. Between April and June 2021 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological
evaluation on two land parcels at Moreton Valence, Gloucestershire (centred at NGR:
377627 209863). This evaluation was undertaken for Pegasus Group (PG), who are acting
on behalf of JBM Solar Projects 7 Ltd. A total of 117 trenches was excavated.
The evaluation identified eight distinct areas of archaeological activity, all of which correlated
with the evidence from a preceding geophysical survey. Only a limited number of additional
features, predominantly shallow pits, gullies, postholes and treethrows, were revealed during
the trenching that had not previously been identified by the geophysical survey.
In seven of these identified archaeological areas, the activity comprised Later
prehistoric/Roman enclosures, some of which appeared to have subdivisions, and
contemporary trackways. This activity appears to have commenced during the Late Iron
Age/Early Roman period, with evidence for later enclosures and/or remodelling in the 2nd to
4th centuries. No definitive evidence for associated contemporary occupation was identified
either within, or in close proximity to, the enclosures, although the recovery of Roman
ceramic tile in the southern land parcel hints at a later Roman structure.
Medieval activity, comprising a series of probable enclosure ditches, was revealed at the
southern extent of the southern land parcel. Its location in close proximity to earthworks
indicative of medieval settlement immediately east of Wheatenhurst Church, hints that this
may be settlement rather than agricultural activity. |
