Parcel H4, Land at Millfields, Cam, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Excavation

Two SMS areas (Area 1 and Area 2) were opened within the Parcel H4 (see fig. 2 for location and extent). These excavation areas were located to investigate features recorded by the previous geophysical survey and archaeological evaluation. A single SMS excavation area was originally proposed within the WSI (CA 2022). However, due to the presence of overhead services, the original excavation areas was split in two, with the agreement of GCCAS. In August and September 2025, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological Strip, Map and Sample excavation of Parcel H4, land at Millfields, Cam, Gloucestershire. Two areas (Areas 1 and 2), measuring a total of 0.92ha in extent, were excavated. The SMS excavation identified a small number of archaeological features within the stripped areas. A pit containing a flint blade of Mesolithic or Early Neolithic date was identified in the southwestern half of Area1, however the abraded nature of this blade suggest that it is residual in a later feature. A pit identified in the south-western part of Area 1, contained pottery representing parts of a single bucket urn of Middle Bronze Age date. However no evidence of human bone, or of associated funerary monuments, were identified during the current excavation. Two ditches, identified in Areas 1 and 2, contained small quantities of locally produced coarse ware pottery of a mid 1st to 2nd-century AD date, and appear to represent drainage or boundary features or be associated with other agricultural activities. Two further, albeit artefactually undated ditches, were also identified in Area 2 and these features may similarly be associated with agricultural activity of a Roman date. A single fragment of CBM, typical of roof tile, of medieval or post-medieval date was recovered from the subsoil. However, no further structural evidence of this date was identified during the current works. A number of undated pits and postholes were identified within the stripped areas, with the majority being identified in Area 1. Where postholes were identified, no clear evidence of structures could be determined in plan, with the possible exception of a group of potholes identified in the south-eastern corner of Area 1, which may form part of possible small circular or sub-circular structure of indeterminate function. The function of the pits identified during the current works remains similarly unclear due to their scattered and relatively isolated nature within the stripped areas.