Originally intended to be undertaken in two phases of 78 trenches each but ultimately undertaken in a single mobilisation, a total of 156 trenches, each measuring 50m long by 2m wide, were excavated across the Site The trench locations were chosen to target anomalies identified by a previous geophysical survey (AOC 2022), areas of suggested higher potential on the roddons within the Site, well as to test apparently blank areas in the survey as a means of prospection for remains of a type or period that may not typically respond to geophysical survey (CA 2024). Trenches were set out on OS National Grid co-ordinates using Leica GPS. Overburden was stripped from the trenches by two mechanical excavators fitted with toothless grading buckets. All machining was conducted under archaeological supervision either to the level at which archaeological features were first encountered where present, or to the natural substrate. In trenches where the alluvial layers proved too thick to enable the safe excavation of the entire trench, sondages were excavated by machine in order to assess the full deposit sequence (e.g. in Trenches 23 and 34). Archaeological features/deposits were investigated, planned and recorded in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual. Deposits were assessed for their palaeo-environmental potential, and samples were taken in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites. Artefacts were processed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation. CA has made arrangements with The Collection Museum (Lincolnshire County Council) for the deposition of the project archive and artefact collection (Accession Number: LCNCC: 2023.211). A digital archive will also be prepared and deposited with the Archaeology Data Service (ADS). The archives will be prepared and deposited in accordance with Standard and guidance for the creation, compilation, transfer and deposition of archaeological archives (CIfA 2014; updated October 2020) and The Collection Museum guidelines (LCC 2019). In September and October 2024, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Little Hale Fen, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire, in connection with proposals for the construction of a solar farm. A total of 156 trenches, all measuring 50m long by 2m wide, were excavated, equivalent to a 2% sample of the proposed development area. The correlation between features encountered within the trenches and anomalies identified by a preceding geophysical survey was poor. Many of the anomalies recorded by the geophysical survey were shown to have a natural/ geological origin, predominantly as naturally silt-filled water erosion channels, or to be the result of post-medieval and more-recent agricultural and drainage operations. In Trenches 23 and 30, preserved probable peat deposits were encountered overlain by a lithostratigraphic sequence revealing consistent episodes of floodplain accumulation. The presence of micaceous minerals and upper horizonal oxidisation mottling is a likely indicator of the presence of tidal flats deposit, underlying the post medieval to present agricultural soil, which developed following drainage/ reclamation of the land in the 18th century. A bulk environmental sample taken from the peat-like deposit in trench 23 produced no charcoal or charred plants material, while a sample taken from the deposit in trench 30 produced moderate quantities of charcoal and charred plant material, mainly cereal stems and other chaff-like material. Several small, waterlogged wood fragments and small animal bones were also recovered. The presence of human activity in the vicinity is therefore inferred but no clearly associated archaeological features were identified in any of the surrounding trenches.
Foley et al. (Wed,) studied this question.