Evaluation at Villa Farm, Norton Disney: Archaeological Evaluation

The aims of the evaluation were to gather information about any below ground surviving heritage assets within the redline site boundary, record the location, extent, date, character, condition, significance and quality of any archaeological remains encountered that will be threatened by proposed development. These results will be used to determine the significance of the archaeological remains within the impact area, and to inform and design any further archaeological investigation and/or mitigation that may be required in association with the project. The evaluation consisted of four trenches, one measuring 20m x 2m, one 15m x 2m and two 10m x 2m. The size and placement of these trenches was largely dictated by the available space on site and were set out using GPS. Of the four trenches excavated, two contained archaeological features, with the other two proving to be archaeologically sterile. The ditch seen in Tr. 3 appeared to correspond with the field boundary to the south, hinting it may have been a continuation of that. Whilst the two pits seen in Tr. 2 produced no finds and their form failed to provide any clues of their usage. The trenching suggests that archaeological activity on site is sparse, indicating that it most likely lay in the agricultural area surrounding the villa to the north. The lack of finds from any of the trenches, including from the topsoil, further corroborates this.