Newark Future (Phase 1), Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Evaluation, Draft Report

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd to undertake an archaeological evaluation to inform the planning application for a housing development on land in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire (SK 8022 5145) as part of the 'Newark Future (Phase 1)' project. The evaluation comprised the excavation of thirty-nine trenches, positioned to test the results of a previous archaeological geophysical survey. The evaluation revealed a few archaeological features, comprising possible ditches, pits and a possible post-hole, but the majority of the trenches were archaeologically sterile and many of the 'ditch' features may actually be the result of natural drainage processes. The earliest possible evidence for activity on the site was the discovery of a small, possibly worked, piece of flint discovered on the western side of the site, but as the area was so waterlogged, excavation and recording were difficult in this trench and the precise context for this find is uncertain. A pit containing late 18th or early 19th century material, including industrially produced pottery, pipe stems and glass was recorded was recorded on the south-eastern edge of the site, but appears to be a rubbish pit and is of limited significance in its own right. The evaluation has produced very little evidence for the presence of any significant buried archaeological features on the eastern side of the Newark Future (Phase 1) proposed development site.