Land west of Heritage Close, Cawston, Warwickshire: Archaeological evaluation

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken ahead of housing development on behalf in an area of possible prehistoric activity. The work was carried out in accordance with The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Standard for archaeological field evaluation (2023a) and Universal guidance for archaeological field evaluation (2023b). An undated ditch and three pits or postholes were recorded in the northern part of the site. The absence of modern material within the ditch tends to suggest it was not open in the recent past when it might be expected to have included ceramic building material or roots from a recent hedge line. Its fills were generally leached of colour and more typical of pre-medieval features in Dunsmore gravel. The ditch appears to align with the projected continuation of a field boundary to the east and west of the site known from historic mapping. The long length of this boundary may suggest an early, even prehistoric, origin. The shallow depth of the pits/postholes and the lack of medieval and post-medieval ploughsoils suggest they pre-date the medieval period and may be broadly contemporary with the ditch. It therefore remains possible that the site contains some archaeological remains of local or regional evidential significance.