Church of St Giles, Costock, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Recording of Groundworks within the Churchyard

The groundwork was carried out under archaeological observation. All deposits were inspected in order to identify any archaeological remains of interest in particular those medieval or earlier in date, (including church foundations). Where possible these were cleaned by hand, examined and recorded. Recording of all groundworks included the position and depths of the excavations and the deposits exposed, by drawing (both in section and plan where applicable) and photograph. Prior to backfilling spoil heaps were inspected for any datable or significant archaeological artefacts. All identifiable deposits were given unique individual four-digit context numbers e.g. 0001, 0002 etc. starting at 0001. All saved artefacts were to be given individual three letter finds codes e.g. AAA, AAB. Disarticulated human remains found in the confines of the work were to be recorded appropriately and left on site for reburial. Advice from the Diocese Archaeological Advisor would be sought if articulated remains were present The archaeological work has identified the fourteenth century foundations of the nave which have been repaired, almost certainly during the restoration of 1862 when the west end of the church was rebuilt. The complete absence of in-situ burials or other significant archaeological remains encountered during the trenching through the churchyard is likely to be due to the limited scope of the work carried out which ensured that the destructive impact on the archaeology was minimal.