The SCCAS brief required a programme of linear trial trenching to sample the site ahead of the construction of housing. This was achieved by excavating 11, 30.00m x 1.80m trenches and a single 20.00m x 1.80m trench. A 360� mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket was used to machine down to the first archaeological horizon, thereafter all excavation work was undertaken by hand. The archaeology was recorded using pro-forma record sheets, drawn plans and section drawings and appropriate photographs were also be taken. The site had a moderate to high potential for features and finds relating to the medieval period and post-medieval periods. The potential for features and finds from all other periods was low. The archaeological evaluation successfully revealed several undated features across the site, namely ditches and pits. Significantly, the ditch alignments are not depicted on any known historical maps, including tithe documents which describes the land as "arable". However, later mapping distinctly shows the assessment site being utilized as allotment gardens, in the early 20th century leading to the plausible interpretation that these features, particularly the ditches, may be associated with the layout, boundaries, or drainage systems of those allotments. However, earlier origins for these archaeological features cannot be entirely discarded.
Rory Coduri (Wed,) studied this question.