Wilkinson, K. N. (2022). Borehole Survey, Environmental Sampling at Shinfield Studios, Cutbush lane east, Shinfield, Reading: Geoarchaeological borehole study.. ARCA. https://doi.org/10.5284/1113560. Cite this using datacite

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Title:		 Borehole Survey, Environmental Sampling at Shinfield Studios, Cutbush lane east, Shinfield, Reading: Geoarchaeological borehole study.
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Series:		 ARCA unpublished report series
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arca1-514164_209753.pdf (3 MB) : Download
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DOI
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.5284/1113560
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Publication Type:		 Report (in Series)
Abstract
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Abstract:		 Assessment of dating, lithology and palaeobotany of borehole cores. A geoarchaeological borehole study was undertaken of land west of Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield, Reading in October 2021, while subsequent laboratory examination took place from October 2021 to February 2022. The purpose of the work was to test the Palaeolithic archaeological potential of deposits on the site that had been revealed by a previous archaeological evaluation. Six geoarchaeological boreholes were drilled, four with an Atlas Cobra TT hammer driving gouge auger heads and core samplers, and two with a Pioneer 2 rig collecting 115mm diameter core samples. Strata in the gouge auger heads were described in the field, while cores were described and sub-sampled in the laboratory for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and 14C dating, and palynological and plant macrofossil assessment. Between 4 and 5m of Quaternary (the last 2.6 million years) deposits were found overlying London Clay (Eocene) bedrock. The basal Quaternary deposits are 1.1–1.5m thick fluvial gravel strata that probably formed in the bed of the Loddon river, a south bank tributary of the Thames. Two OSL dates from sand layers within the gravels suggest deposition in Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (29–57,000 years ago) and possibly MIS 4 (71,000–82,000 years ago). Overlying the gravel in one part of the site is a c 0.4m-thick organic mud, which is also thought to be of MIS 3 age. This latter deposit contains moderate to well preserved pollen, which was mostly of aquatic and herbaceous taxa, but also included possible evidence for trees. Plant macrofossils were not, however, found in the stratum meaning that it could not be chronometrically dated by 14C measurement. Lying above the gravels and organic mud, and likely separated from them by a hiatus are 3–4m of Brickearth and Head deposits. The brickearths formed first, but later interdigitate and are therefore contemporary with the Head. While both are likely to be of MIS 2 age (11.7–29.0 thousand years ago). The organic muds are assessed as being of moderate to high Palaeolithic archaeological potential on account of their age, gentle mode of deposition, the presence of a former land surface in one record and the moderate–good pollen preservation. The remaining deposits are assessed as either low to moderate (fluvial gravels) on account of their high energy deposition or low potential (Brickearth and Head) because of their chronology and the absence of humans for the majority of MIS 2.
Author
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Author:		 Keith N Wilkinson
Publisher
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Publisher:		 ARCA
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Other Person/Org:		 Berkshire Archaeology HER (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication:		 2022
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Locations:
District: Wokingham
County: Berkshire
Country: England
County: Wokingham
Parish: Shinfield
Grid Reference: 474169, 169199 (Easting, Northing)
Subjects / Periods
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BOREHOLE SURVEY (Event)
ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING (Event)
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OASIS Id: arca1-514164
Report id: 2122-6
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Created Date
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Created Date:		 19 Oct 2023