Zouch Manor Tidworth, Wiltshire: post-excavation report

The locations of the five excavation areas were agreed with Clare King (WC), informed by the results of the archaeological evaluation (CA 2012). The excavation areas were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2012). 4.2 The excavation areas were scanned for live services by trained Cotswold Archaeology staff using CAT and Genny equipment in accordance with the Cotswold Archaeology Safe System of Work for avoiding underground services. Underground services were detected in Areas A, C and E, restricting the available area for excavation (see Fig. 2). Overhead services were observed inside the southern edge of Area E and machining was halted at a safe distance. 4.3 Fieldwork commenced with the removal of topsoil and subsoil from the excavation area by mechanical excavator with a toothless grading bucket, under archaeological supervision. 4.4 The archaeological features thus exposed were hand-excavated to the bottom of archaeological stratigraphy. Palaeoenvironmental samples were taken from five features considered to have potential for characterising the earlier phases of activity on the site. All features were planned and recorded in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (CA 1996). Deposits were assessed for their environmental potential and sampled appropriately in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The taking of samples for paleoenvironmental and palaeoeconomic analysis from archaeological sites (CA 2003). All artefacts recovered from the excavation were retained in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of finds immediately after excavation (CA 1995). A programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in January and February 2014 at the request of Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties at Zouch Manor, Tidworth, Wiltshire. The area is being developed for new housing. Five areas were excavated across the development area, targeted on the results of a previous evaluation of the site (CA 2012). The excavation identified evidence for small-scale prehistoric activity. An alignment of four small pits contained worked flint, and one contained a single sherd of pottery of probable Middle or Later Iron Age (c. 4th to 1st centuries BC) date. Residual worked flint was also recovered from later features. There is documentary evidence for a manor house at the site since at least the 13th century, and the excavation has revealed evidence of land boundaries associated with the medieval manor. In the post-medieval period the manor was rebuilt, with an outbuilding and formal walled gardens to the front and a farmyard to the rear, with ranges of farm buildings enclosing a courtyard. In the early modern period the formal gardens were demolished and the land at the front of the manor was levelled. The farmyard behind was renovated; the original courtyard bisected by a wall and a secondary courtyard was added to the north. Artefacts recovered during the excavation include a small assemblage of worked flint, local and regional medieval pottery, post-medieval pottery and ceramic building material. Amongst a few metal objects is a silver British War Medal (1914-1920), in very good condition, found in made ground.