PCAS Archaeology Ltd was commissioned to undertake archaeological monitoring and recording during groundworks for the construction of a new bungalow with attached garage. Foundation trenches were excavated under archaeological supervision using an excavator with a 0.75m wide bucket to a depth of 0.90m. All deposits observed were recorded using standard PCAS context recording sheets, and the progress of the groundworks were noted on a standard PCAS site diary sheet. Features were recorded in plan at scale 1:100 and two sections were drawn at a scale of 1:20. A digital photographic record was maintained. Archaeological monitoring and recording during groundworks for the construction of a new dwelling revealed a sequence of modern topsoil and subsoil directly overlying the natural geology. The latter comprised mottled orange-yellow, compact, gritty clay with grey veining. Despite the site's archaeological potential, no features were exposed and no artefacts were recovered, aside from a small quantity of modern pottery found within the topsoil, which was not retained. Traces of tree throws and root disturbance were observed across the site, which refer to the past use of the area as an orchard.
Elisa Vecchi (Wed,) studied this question.