An archaeological trial trench evaluation was undertaken by Network Archaeology on land at Land at Oxford House, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, during April and May 2023. The evaluation took place in advance of the proposed redevelopment of the site for residential dwellings. A total of 17 archaeological trenches were excavated across the planning application site (AS). The evaluation was successful in identifying a small amount of archaeology across the application site (AS), in the form of ditches and small pits. This activity was noted in all three sub-areas (red, green and blue) of the AS. The archaeological activity was largely undated, except for a single feature which contained finds of 19th to 20th century date. The fills of the remaining features were similar to that of the dated example, and it is therefore likely that they represent activity of a similar date. The area of the AS was previously in use as agricultural land into the 20th century and the archaeological features probably relate to this activity. The evaluation was also successful in highlight the considerable extent of previous groundworks on the site. Evidence from all the trenches indicated that the site had previously been excavated down to the level of the natural substrate, then reinstated and levelled with made ground probably comprising the previously-excavated soils, mixed with rubble, hardcore and building debris. Most likely, this took place during the construction of the existing Oxford House building, its ancillary buildings and the associated grounds and landscaping. The low level of findings did not offer the potential to contribute to regional research agendas.
Nigel Andrew Cavanagh (Sun,) studied this question.