Land at the Science and Innovation Park, Wroughton, Wiltshire

A total five trenches were excavated within the proposed development area. The trenches were located in order to provide a representative 4% sample of the development area. Non-significant overburden was removed, under constant archaeological supervision, to the top of archaeological remains, or the underlying natural deposits, whichever was encountered first. This was achieved through use of a 360� mechanical excavator, equipped with a toothless grading bucket. Features and spoil tips were visually scanned for finds and they were subject to a metal detector survey. Where potential archaeological features were present, these were subject to appropriate levels of investigation. The evaluation revealed the presence of natural chalk beneath subsoil and make-up layers. A single probable agricultural ditch was present in Trench 4, at the east of the site. This remained undated, but it was likely to have been of some antiquity. Part of a former airfield road or track was revealed in Trench 1, at the north of the site; this was probably related to a nearby extant asphalt track. No other features or finds were present within the trenches and the site is considered to have a low archaeological potential.