Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) undertook a programme of Strip, Map and Sample excavation and archaeological monitoring on the Maiden Green Link Road, Truro, between July and September 2024. This work was carried out to satisfy Condition 39 (Application B) of the outline consent PA20/09631 in relation to the reserved matters application PA23/07445 granted by Cornwall Council. Initial soil stripping was carried out by machine, with archaeological features exposed, cleaned by hand, recorded and sampled in accordance with the WSI and CIfA standards and guidance. An archive level report was produced, from which further assessment and analysis will be determined. Significant features identified by the works included multi-phased rectilinear ditched features possibly representing a system of enclosures dating from the medieval period onwards, five large oval pits likely to have been associated with medieval small-scale industry/prospection and several shallower pits of uncertain date and function. In addition, post-medieval ditches and pits and an intriguing and extensive scatter of amethyst and quartz crystal ranging in size from large blocks to small points and fragments, potentially of pre-medieval origin were recorded.
Carolyn Royall (Wed,) studied this question.