Watching Brief at Natural Flood Management Works in the Upper South Forty Foot Catchment at Dembleby, Lincolnshire

A single, long, sub-rectangular area was excavated, measuring c. 527m2. Topsoil and other recent deposits were removed by a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket. Representative samples of the trench side were subsequently recorded, and all cut features were photographed and planned using a GPS. No features were excavated as the depth of the ground reduction was did not warrant it. Observed features were recorded through drawn plans and sections at a scale of 1:20. This record was augmented by digital colour photographs and written context records on pro forma recording sheets. The trench and all reference points used were located by survey grade GPS. During the ground reduction, multiple possible pit or tree throw features were partially exposed along the south-western edge of the excavation area. As the groundworks associated with this project were relatively shallow, these features were not excavated. A narrow ditch was seen towards the north-west of the site which may denote a former boundary. Finds recovered from the surface of the features consist of residual medieval pottery and tile, as well as post-medieval brick, iron and roof slate.