Title: |
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF & METAL DETECTING SURVEY AT FOLLY FARM, BURY LANE, WEST ILSLEY, NEWBURY |
Series: |
John Moore Heritage Services unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
johnmoor1-513275_208862.pdf (10 MB)
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Biblio Note |
This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
The spoil spreading area (Area 1) and the area to be reduced for the new building and hardstanding (Area 2), were surveyed with either a Garrett Ace 150 metal detector or a Minelab X-Terra 30 metal detector prior to the start of the groundworks. Both areas were surveyed along transects 3m apart based on the OS grid. Each transect was walked covering a wide sweep, an area of at least 1-1.5m on either side, to ensure maximum coverage along each transect. The location of each signal was plotted with GPS survey equipment, before returning to excavate and photograph the metal object where possible; the excavation process was restricted to the depth of the ploughsoil in Area 1, but was unrestricted in Area 2. The groundworks which followed consisted of ploughsoil stripping in Area 1 and more substantial ground reduction in Area 2. The excavations in Area 1 were initially planned to cover a 100m square area of one hectare; during the works the surface area of the ploughsoil strip was reduced to approximately 0.54 hectares, as much of the eastern half of the initial planned square was left unexcavated. The groundworks in this area did not exceed the depth of the subsoil.The groundworks in Area 2 proceeded to a greater depth. The ground reduction was undertaken to the depth of the archaeological horizon to allow for archaeological investigation and recording. Following this, ground reduction continued below the level of the archaeological horizon. Where archaeological horizons were encountered they were cleaned by hand and excavated appropriately. Standard John Moore Heritage Services techniques were employed throughout, involving the completion of a written record for each deposit encountered, with scale plans and section drawings compiled where appropriate. A photographic record was produced, and GPS survey was conducted. A series of natural deposits were observed across the development area, demonstrating the geological processes which formed the landscape. The metal detector survey discovered 78 metal objects, 76 of which were spot-dated to the modern period. Two iron fasteners dated to the 19th century. The detected metal finds are consistent with the agricultural use of the site over the last few centuries. The ploughsoil strip in Area 1 did not exceed the depth of the subsoil, so no further finds, features, or deposits were discovered. The ground reduction work in Area 2 uncovered three modern postholes, as well as six possible pits. The fills of all six possible pits were very similar in compaction, colour, and composition to the subsoil, and it is probable that the features actually represent natural depressions in the chalk near the flint vein, which were subsequently infilled with the developing subsoil. This possibility is reinforced by the unclear, somewhat irregular shape of the six features. Across the site, no evidence for prehistoric or Roman activity was uncovered. Finally, no evidence was found to corroborate the existence of the ditch which is seen as a cropmark. |
Author: |
Scott Gordon
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Publisher: |
John Moore Heritage Services
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Other Person/Org: |
West Berkshire HER (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2023
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Locations: |
County: |
West Berkshire |
County: |
Berkshire |
Country: |
England |
District: |
West Berkshire |
Parish: |
West Ilsley |
Grid Reference: 447999, 183099 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
PIT
(Monument Type England)
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20TH CENTURY POST HOLE
(Tag)
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20TH CENTURY NAIL
(Tag)
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WATCHING BRIEF
(Event)
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POST HOLE
(Monument Type England)
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NAIL
(Object England)
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POST MEDIEVAL NAIL
(Tag)
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UNCERTAIN PIT
(Tag)
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20TH CENTURY
(Historic England Periods)
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POST MEDIEVAL
(Historic England Periods)
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UNCERTAIN
(Historic England Periods)
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
johnmoor1-513275 |
Report id: |
4771 |
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
23 Feb 2024 |