John Moore Heritage Services unpublished report series

This evaluation identified archaeological remains and investigated previously noted cropmarks. The site covered the western edge of an 'island' of first terrace gravel surrounded by alluvium that reflected the courses of former river channels. A channel was present along the western and southern parts of the site. A suspected late Roman trackway was identified, which appeared to be associated with a change in land use from arable to pasture when alluviation of the area had occurred (due to the rising water table). An undated ditch was located, possibly linked with the Roman arable phase of land use. A small pit containing burnt bone was probably a human cremation, suggesting the presence of a possible funerary monument. Undated pits and a posthole along with burnt-out tree throw pits on the southern edge of the island indicated prehistoric activity. Woodland clearance perhaps occurred during the Roman period. [Au(adp)]

Archaeological investigation took place in two areas within the grounds of Mill Cottage, which occupies part of the former extent of the Augustinian Nunnery of St Mary. As expected the area between the Millstream and the Thames was subject to flooding during the medieval period and appeared to be used for some rubbish disposal. Parts of four buildings were found in the southernmost area of garden adjacent to the present churchyard. Three of these buildings are thought to be the guest house, hospitium and necessaria.

John Moore Heritage Services conducted an archaeological watching brief following groundworks at the site. No remains of archaeological interest were present.

The evaluation carried out on the proposed area of development to the rear of the White Hart Hotel, Chipping Norton, found the remains of two stone built buildings. One of the buildings included a possible basemented lean-to attached to its southern side. In addition to this, there was a large linear cut feature and evidence of terracing. Artefacts recovered from the site dated the remains to a period between the 12th and 14th centuries.

An evaluation was undertaken to determine the suitability of the area for future development. One possible Roman inhumation was recovered. [Au(abr)]

Historic building recording was carried out on a series of farm buildings at Manor Farm Barns, Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire. The work was carried out in advance of plans to convert the buildings involving changes to and limited demolition of the original building fabric. The survey results provide a picture of mixed farming activity within the development area in association with a 17th century farmhouse. Activity on the site appears to have been continuous and the modifications and reorganisation of the buildings reflect agricultural development over time in response to changes in productivity and advances in farming technology.

A trenching sample equivalent to eight 30.0 x 1.50m trenches was specified within the brief. Site constraints prevented the excavation of one such trench in the northeast corner of the site and thus, in agreement with Oxfordshire County Archaeological Services, a further two trenches equivalent to 30.0 metres were excavated in the southwest corner of the site. All trenches were 1.55 m wide and were excavated by a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket. The resultant surfaces were cleaned by hand prior to limited hand excavation of any identified archaeological deposits The investigation of this site has produced somewhat scant evidence of archaeological activity. Both the lack of archaeological features and the generally low levels of finds present within the top- and subsoil is entirely consistent with the purported agricultural usage of the site – a premise further supported by the nature of the features that were identified. This is most clearly demonstrated by the plough scars revealed in Trenches 1 and 2, though the potential boundary ditch [7/06] encountered on the western side of the site is also likely to form part of the agricultural landscape. It is difficult however, to fully understand the nature of the potential terracing cut [6/08] within this essentially agrarian topography. Given the gentle slope into which the feature is cut it is unlikely to have functioned as a cultivation terrace. It is perhaps more appropriate, therefore, to view the feature either as representative of small scale quarrying of the underlying clay or limestone, or possibly a house platform. Without any greater exposure of the feature it is impossible to reach a more detailed understanding of the purpose of such a feature.

The evaluation of the proposed development area revealed archaeological features dating from the Roman period. These were thought to be consistent with a farmstead or similar occupation. Pottery recovered suggested that this occupation may have stemmed the entire Roman period, with the later 2nd century the most strongly represented and perhaps the main period of settlement. [Au(adp)]

The evaluation was carried out in advance of the demolition of old extensions and the construction of new ones. The site was located over the infilled city ditch, and a considerable depth of deposits was noted. In addition to this, a rubble built stone culvert was located adjacent to and disturbed by an existing building extension. This culvert was believed to have contained the "Crowel", a well depicted in Agas' 1578 map. [Au(abr)]