Archaeological Evaluation on land at Allesborough Farm, Rebecca Road, Pershore, Worcestershire

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Worcestershire Archaeology (WA) in October 2025 on land at Allesborough Farm, Rebecca Road, Pershore, Worcestershire (NGR SO 93649 46346). The project comprised the excavation of 23 trenches across one field. The project was commissioned by Lioncourt Homes, in advance of a proposed residential development. Planning permission for the development was granted subject to a programme of archaeological works. A desk-based assessment and geophysical survey were undertaken in support of the application, which indicated the potential for early prehistoric, Iron Age, and Roman activity, with medieval and later land management and farming practices present. The archaeological evaluation confirmed the results of the initial geophysical survey. This survey identified few significant anomalies, most of which were interpreted as the result of agricultural activity, with a small number of features of uncertain origin that may reflect geological formations or arboreal remnants. The current fieldwork corroborated these findings, demonstrating that the majority of the site is archaeologically sterile and lacks substantial buried features or deposits. Evidence of post-medieval and modern landscaping was observed in the central part of the site, where trees within the field had been removed to facilitate agricultural use. Ploughing activity in the southwestern area provided further evidence of horizontal truncation. While such activity has impacted upon the survival of earlier deposits in localised areas, it does not fully account for the overall low density of features across the site. It is more likely that prolonged agricultural exploitation has contributed to widespread truncation and the removal of earlier archaeological deposits. Despite the presence of extensive prehistoric and Romano-British activity in the wider area, there is no evidence that settlement or associated activity extended into this part of the site. The generally sterile nature of deposits, consistent across the field, indicates long-term agricultural use. Two deeper sondages were dug into the gravels which did not yield any prehistoric artefacts or deposits suitable for environmental analysis. However, the gravel deposits identified are significant in providing data on the depth and extent of the upper gravels, contributing to an understanding of the 'Allesborough Beds' within the 5th Avon gravel terrace. The Allesborough Beds are important because they bridge the temperate and full-glacial phases of the 5th terrace, preserving early megafauna evidence that is largely absent in the overlying full-glacial Pershore Member, and they provide a key chronological and environmental context for understanding the Pleistocene ecology of the Avon valley. The methodologies employed during the evaluation allow a high degree of confidence in the results. Site conditions were suitable throughout, enabling accurate assessment of the presence or absence of archaeological features. Consequently, the distribution and character of remains can be considered representative of the development area.