| Abstract: |
A Palaeolithic Test Pit evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology and Southampton University in November 2015 at Highland's Farm, Henley-Upon-Thames, Oxfordshire. Eight test pits were excavated as a preliminary investigation of the nature of Pleistocene deposits surviving at the site, and their Palaeolithic artefact content. The results from these test pits were combined with the results from previous geo-technical and geoarchaeological investigations to create a preliminary Palaeolithic deposit model for the site. Six areas were defined, 1-5, and 2a. Area 1 and 3 are areas of higher potential, where undisturbed deposits of Black Park Gravel are present. These deposits were shown to contain moderately common flint artefacts in places, and at certain horizons; although parts of the deposit did not contain abundant artefacts. The artefacts were mostly moderately-abraded, suggesting some history of disturbance. Nonetheless, these remains are of moderately high Palaeolithic importance due (a) to their great antiquity, and (b) because, despite not reflecting entirely-undisturbed activity horizons, they do however reflect activity in the area of the site contemporary with the Black Park Gravel formation. No handaxes were found in the fieldwork, despite their reported abundance in previous work at the site. This suggests there may be horizons at the site, not as-yet investigated, where handaxes may be present (and perhaps abundant). Areas 2 and 2a were previously-quarried areas where basal remnants of Black Park Gravel remained in situ in places, and also occasional patches of deeper unquarried deposits. Areas 4 and 5 seemed to be dominated by re-worked deposits of Black Park Gravel, and are regarded on present evidence as of lesser Palaeolithic importance/potential. |
