| Abstract: |
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by ISCA Archaeology at the site of a proposed new residential
dwelling at Court Farm, Cullompton, Devon. A total of three trenches were excavated. The works were
commissioned by Robinson Jary Architecture, on behalf of Maggie Harri The proposed site is located within the grounds of Court Farm, Cullompton, Devon and is accessed via an
unclassified road leading off the southern extent of Willand Road (B3181) in the north-east area of Cullompton.
The site consists of an area measuring approximately 20m by 15m (300m²), with scrubland to the north, and the
concrete slab of a demolished barn to the south.
The three trenches (measuring 15.5m, 15m and 10.55m) were all excavated to the underlying sand and gravel
geology. To the south, the site had been truncated, with the natural substrate directly overlain by bedding for the
concrete floor slab of the former barn. To the north of the site, the natural substrate was sealed by a 0.3m thick
layer of mid-brown silty clay. This layer likely represents an early buried soil horizon and was only visible to the
north. Cutting through the earlier soil horizon was a partially exposed pit to the north-west. This pit measured
2.4m long and at least 0.7m wide containing a large quantity of brick and slate fragments. To the north-east, a
small, square, brick structure was uncovered. The bricks forming this structure measured 235 x 110 x 73mm and
were laid over a mortared, rubble footing. The structure appears to have been robbed in the north-west corner.
Sealing the earlier buried soil horizon, the brick filled pit, and the brick structure was a 0.28m thick layer of black
ash, clinker, modern rubbish and bricks. This in turn was sealed by a 0.42m thick layer of mixed topsoil, rubbish,
bricks, and concrete.
The brick structure is of a post-medieval date and may have been a small outbuilding, although its full extent was
not revealed. No archaeological features or deposits that may have been associated with a possible Roman road
in this location were noted during the evaluation. The potential road may be located beyond the boundary of the
development site, should it exist. No pre-modern finds were exposed |
