A Geophysical Survey was carried out across the site which identified ditches associated with a wider field system. Anomalies likely to represent former agricultural practices were also identified (ASWYAS. 2020). A programme of Trial Trenching was carried out across the site in 2021. Seventy-seven trenches were excavated, within which linear features were identified, interpreted as being associated with late prehistoric or Romano-British activity (MAP. 2021). Dating evidence was scant, although a beehive quern of 1st to 2nd century date was recovered from a large ditch (Ibid). Four areas were excavated measuring a total of 1.12ha, the areas were located using a Trimble GPS rover and stripped of topsoil and subsoil using a 360� tracked mechanical excavator, fitted with a wide toothless bucket, operating under close archaeological supervision. Machining ceased at the top of either archaeological or naturally formed deposits, depending upon which was located soonest. The exposed surfaces were cleaned by shovel, hoe, or trowel as appropriate. The areas were selected in order to fully assess Archaeological features identified during the Evaluation by Trial Trenching including ditches believed to date to the Romano-British Period. A sufficient sample of archaeological features and deposits were hand excavated, in order to address the aims of the Archaeological Excavation. All excavation and recording was carried out in line with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation A previous Geophysical Survey and Trial Trenching had identified archaeological features including ditches and pits which were assigned to the Romano-British and Medieval periods. The Excavation identified features of late prehistoric to Romano-British date, with three phases of probable agricultural enclosures identified, with evidence of livestock management and low level likely seasonal domestic activity dating from the Late Iron Age to the 3rd century AD. The domestic activity was represented by a series of very shallow intercutting drip gullies and associated postholes. Evidence for medieval activity on the site is limited to ridge and furrow present within all areas and a small section of ditch within area 1 and post-medieval evidence to a single ditch within area 4.
Matthew Reeves (Mon,) studied this question.