Swindon Long Rising Main, Archaeological Watching Brief

The work primarily involved the monitoring of five machine excavated trenches, measuring 0.50m wide by between 2.40m and 3.00m long. All trenches were excavated by a mechanical excavator under archaeological supervision. Monitoring ceased at the contractor's required depth which was between 2.20m to 3.60m below the existing ground surface. All recording followed the Headland Manual, CIfA Standards and Guidance (CIfA, 2020) and the associated Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for the works (AECOM 2023). All contexts, small finds and environmental samples were given unique numbers. All recording was undertaken on pro forma record sheets. Where stratified deposits were encountered, a 'Harris' matrix was compiled. Digital photographs on a minimum 10mp camera were taken as the site photographic archive. The results of the watching brief showed that deposits underlying the grass verges along sections of Merlin Way, Dorcan Way, and Covingham Drive, were predominantly made ground overlaying natural geology. All trenches demonstrated previously disturbed ground containing modern building materials such as brick, CBM, and stone. These deposits showed a clear and sharp interface with the geological deposits suggesting that the original topsoil had been removed, presumably relating to different phases of the surrounding residential development and associated infrastructure. No archaeological finds or features were identified during archaeological monitoring, though the narrowness of the trench and limited intrusive investigation hinders the complete ruling out of archaeology in the vicinity. In conclusion, the works predominantly identified re-deposited material relating to previous phases of modern development. Nothing of archaeological note was identified during the works, though the results should be considered when further works are carried out in the vicinity.