Land east of Park Dale and north of Madeley Square, Fryston, West Yorkshire. Archaeological Evaluation by Trial Trenching

An Archaeological Evaluation by Trial Trenching was carried out by MAP Archaeological Practice Ltd., on land east of Park Dale Road and north of Madeley Square, Fryston, West Yorkshire in March 2025. The evaluation was undertaken to inform the Archaeologist at West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service, advising Wakefield Council, of the archaeological potential of the site and to allow a reasoned decision to be made regarding the need for further archaeological work, in advance of housing development. The work was undertaken on behalf of Taylor Wimpey. The site is located within an area of recognised archaeological activity, dating predominantly to the late prehistoric and Roman periods, including cropmarks recorded some 300m to the west, where a series of field systems and possible trackways have been identified. The site is not suitable for Geophysical Survey. Prior to the trenching being undertaken, the vegetation had been cleared and the site had been partially topsoil stripped by bulldozer and the topsoil placed in three large bunds. Ten trenches were excavated. The trench positions had been with the agreement of the Archaeologist at West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service. Trench 1 was shortened to 25m dur to the presence of a topsoil bund and Trench 10 was excavated either side of a topsoil bund (7m to the east and 37m to the west. Trenches 2-9 measured 50m by 2m. Ten trenches were located and levelled by Taylor Wimpey's surveyor. Once positioned the trenches were excavated using a mechanical excavator, fitted with a wide toothless bucket operating under close archaeological supervision. In each trench, soils were removed down to perceived archaeological/geological horizon. The exposed surfaces were cleaned appropriately. The trenches were photographed using a high resolution digital camera with appropriate scale. The trenches, deposits and trench photographs were recorded digitally on Diggit recording software, in line with the approved Specification Ten trenches were excavated. No archaeological deposits, finds or features were found.