Two excavation areas were opened within the site: Area 1 (0.04ha): located to investigate prehistoric and Saxon occupation. Area 2 (0.0.98ha): located to investigate a Neolithic pit identified in Trench 22. The excavation areas were located to investigate features recorded by the previous geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation. A programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in May and July 2021 at the request of David Wilson Homes Southern. Two areas were excavated targeted on previous evaluation results. The excavation revealed features of Neolithic, and Middle Bonze Age to Early Iron Age date. The earliest activity consisted of a single isolated Neolithic Pit in Area 2. In the south-west corner of Area 1 was a series of intercutting features dating to the Middle Bronze Age, including a small number of ditches and a tree-throw hole. The tree-throw hole contained Middle Bronze Age urns and was cut buy a partial cattle burial, which may have been associated with the urns. To the north-east of the tree-throw hole was an undated sub-oval grave, which may also be contemporary; it was cut by the later enclosure. These earlier features were cut by the foundation trench of a Middle to Late Bronze Age palisade enclosure. Only the southern and eastern sides of the possible rectangular enclosure was revealed within the excavation. On the eastern side of the enclosure there was an entrance way with associated postholes that may have formed a gate or other structure. In the north-east corner of site was a dispersed cluster of Late Bronze Age pits, which were generally small shallow subcircular scoops. However, they may have been centred on one larger rectangular pit within this group. A single small rectangular shallow pit on the south-central side of the earlier enclosure produced a large amount of Late Bronze Age/ Early Iron Age pottery and a grinding stone.
A Howard (Sat,) studied this question.