| Abstract: |
The proposed scheme consists of works to install approximately 355m of 315mm HPPE main pipeline between NGR TR 20209 66195 (SW) and NGR TR 20587 66306 (NE). The engineering methodology for this scheme is intended to be open-cut trenching. It is proposed that AO should be undertaken of the entirety of the route. Topsoil within a standard pipeline easement will be removed under archaeological supervision by machine and toothless bucket, with removed material stored along the easement. Where natural geological strata are not attained during the course of the topsoil strip, observation of subsequent trenching operations will be carried out wherever discovery so determines. Sufficient time will be allowed for the supervising archaeologist to record any features or deposits identified within the pipe-trench.Should any archaeological deposits, structures or features be revealed, excavation will cease to allow reasonable time and resources to undertake any inspection or recording required. If significant, BA will inform the SAOKCC immediately of the find. Should there be a need to be intensify the archaeological work, an on-site meeting will be arranged attended by SEW, the SAOKCC and Neil Shurety of BA. Additionally, it should be noted that, where breaching of historic field boundaries is unavoidable, BA will produce a record in section of any bank-and-ditch features (or note the absence of such) and recover any associated finds. Archaeological monitoring of the groundworks undertaken on the Oxenden Corner Marshside DMA Mains Replacement Scheme (13-1323) between May and June 2019 yielded evidence of possible Roman and Prehistoric activity, in the form of ditched features, some of which are visible in the landscape as cropmark features. Linear [002009] may represent a road-side ditch of Roman date which runs parallel to the present-day Ford Hill Road, known to follow the line of the earlier Roman road. Linear [002011] correlates with the wide linear depression observed on the 1m DTM LiDAR survey and is likely associated with the large rectilinear enclosure lying to the immediate SW and S of Field 002. Whilst linear [002011] may represent an internal feature to the rectilinear enclosure, its function could not be ascertained, although it does indicate there is at least some survival of below ground remains of these cropmark features, despite continuous ploughing activity here since the early post-medieval period. [002004] likely represents an agricultural ditch – possibly a boundary or drainage feature. The terminus might suggest the latter interpretation. Although a fragment of probable Iron Age pottery was recovered from the fill of the ditch, this appears more than likely to be residual and the feature therefore remains undated. Ditch [002006] appears to represent the truncated remains of a late 19th – early 20th century field boundary.
The palaeoenvironmental sampling undertaken produced no evidence for any environmental indicators of human activity or occupation within close proximity of these features.
Although the AO did not answer any of the research themes identified through the SERF, the fieldwork did confirm the presence of a large number of linear features some of which have been previously only identified through aerial photography and satellite imagery. It is hoped that the findings of this scheme may contribute to other archaeological investigations in the locality, in particular to any future investigations within the study area, more specifically within the fields lying to the W of Ford Hill Road. |
