| Abstract: |
The evaluation was required as part of Condition 24 of the grant of outline planning permission (Planning Reference 15/04164/OUTMAJ). A total of five evaluation trenches were excavated in this phase, each measuring 50m by 2m at
the modern ground surface. These trenches were placed to investigate apparently blank areas as defined by the geophysical survey. Archaeological mitigation for this site was conducted in various stages. Initially, two areas of
strip and record were excavated to target geophysical anomalies and archaeological features found during the evaluation phases (Figure 2). The eastern area of the site, where geophysical survey and trial trenching indicated a concentration of archaeology was excavated as Area A.
The expansion of the area previously investigated by trench 5 during the second phase of evaluation was recorded as Area B. In the areas of the site that were not to be
developed, but were to be retained as public open spaces, the archaeology was to be preserved in-situ, with
the existing topsoil and subsoil remaining in place. These areas were located within the northeast and southeast corners of the site and included a corridor along the eastern boundary of the site. The other parts of the site, which did not contain significant archaeological remains, were developed without the need for archaeological mitigation as had been agreed upon within the Mitigation Method Statement (OSA, January 2018).
The second phase of works was undertaken outside the main development site along the line of a proposed surface water outfall pipe (Areas C and D) (Figure 2). The field where the pipe trench was proposed lay partially within the registered battlefield site of the Battle of Boroughbridge. Therefore, discussions were held with Dr Keith Emerick, Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Historic England regarding the scale and scope of archaeological investigations required. Following an archaeological investigation by geophysical survey and metal detector survey, further archaeological mitigation was carried out during the
construction of the outfall trench to preserve by record any archaeological remains that may be disturbed by the development. This comprised of an archaeologically monitored topsoil strip of the proposed pipeline route, followed, as appropriate, by archaeological hand
excavation and recording of any features identified. archaeological features dating to
two main phases of occupation and activity; the middle to late Iron Age period and the late 1st
to mid 2nd century Roman period.
The earliest phase of activity largely comprised an enclosed Iron Age settlement. Numerous
internal features were identified consisting of several probable former roundhouses and
associated ditches, pits and postholes. A small area of probable associated settlement
activity, comprising poorly preserved structures comparable with the features within the
enclosure, was also located to the northwest of the enclosure. Only Iron Age, hand-made
pottery, was recovered from the internal features of the principal enclosure indicating
abandonment or disuse of the internal area after the Iron Age period.
Activity during the Roman period appears to be represented by the shallower redefinition and
extension of the existing principal enclosure and the creation of additional land division. The
lack of domestic features associated with the Roman ditches appears to reflect a change of
use, from settlement to agricultural land use during the early Roman period. |
