Archaeological Observation and Recording Report: Land adjacent to 7 St Mary's Lane, Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire

The methods used were as follows: " The archaeological monitoring of all groundworks related to the development, including foundation trenches, service trenches, ground reduction, landscaping and any other ground impact. This included a contingency for preservation or further excavation of any remains encountered. " The analysis of the results of the archaeological work with provisions for subsequent production of a report(s) and/or publication(s) of these results & an archive. " Provisions necessary to protect the archaeological interests of the site. The Archaeological programme of Observation and Recording at Land adjacent to 7 St Mary's Lane, Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire revealed two pits. The later of the two pits, [04], contained a single sherd of Saxon pottery. The artefact is believed to be securely stratified; however, it is not enough to suggest the true date of this feature. Pit [04] was used for the disposal of animal waste. Butchery marks and the skeletal elements found within the pit suggest these animals were utilized for their meat. No remains were recovered from the earlier pit, [06], and its function could not be fully understood. No other archaeological features were uncovered during the programme of works. The subsoil was absent to the southeast end of the new houses footprint, suggesting that truncation had occurred in antiquity. It is possible that this truncation is related to the construction of the nearby houses, or quite possibly, the church which is located to the southwest of the site. This truncation may have seriously damaged or even destroyed sensitive and shallow archaeological features. In addition, it is possible that more archaeological remains are present on site, but they are widely dispersed and located outside excavated trenches.