Abstract: |
The proposed scope of works defined in the WSI comprised the excavation of 128 trenches (measuring 30m long by 1.8m wide), four further trenches (individually measuring 16m long by 1.8m wide, 10m long by 1.8m wide, 9m long by 1.8m wide, and 12m long by 1.8m wide), were excavated in addition following discussion on site with the client and the PAWCC. It was not possible to excavate trenches 1-4, 6, 9, 13, 15, 18, 22, 26-28, 31, 38, 44, 46, 55, 56, 58, 59, 65, 70, 124, and 128, due to existing access and safety constraints comprising the locations of buried services, former concrete anchor footings, security fences, and access roads, and prevailing ecological restrictions. An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology between May and June 2019 at the former Radio Station Rugby; the proposed site of Houlton Secondary School, an element of the of the wider Houlton Meadows development. One hundred and seven trenches were excavated. The majority of trenches excavated contained no archaeological remains. Archaeological remains or potential remains were recorded in five trenches. Despite the archaeological potential of the wider development site the evaluation identified very little of archaeological significance. The ceramic evidence, comprising one sherd of Late Prehistoric pottery and two sherds of Late Iron Age/Early Roman period pottery indicates the features were located away from settlement activity, potentially on the outer limits of the agricultural hinterland. On the basis of this absence of archaeological evidence it is very probable that settlement remains and associated field systems identified in previous phases of archaeological investigation in the wider area, either did not extend into the present site, or that they may have been removed during later agricultural activity associated with ridge and furrow agricultural practices, and the rather intensive above |