Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Footstep Active Living Ltd, to undertake an archaeological excavation of approximately 0.1 ha off Westside Close, Old Sarum, Salisbury, SP4 6BX. This was carried out in association with a proposed residential development (planning application ref. PL/2021/09567) comprising the construction of 46 dwellings and associated works, on a site of 1.47, centred on NGR 415205 133780. The scope of the excavation was established through consultation between Wessex Archaeology, on behalf of the client, and the WCAS. An approximately triangular area (Area 1) of 750 m2 was targeted on the principal area of archaeological interest (centred on Trench 3 of the evaluation). A further two areas (Areas 2 and 3), each measuring 30 m by 4 m (120 m2), were intended to examine the potential for the continuation of archaeological remains to the north and east. The excavation was undertaken in accordance with a written scheme of investigation (WSI), which detailed the aims, methods and standards to be employed for the fieldwork and post-excavation work (Wessex Archaeology 2022). The WCAS approved the WSI, on behalf of the Local Planning Authority (LPA), prior to the fieldwork. The excavation was undertaken between 28 February and 8 March 2022. Prior trial trenching conducted in November 2021 had identified an area of archaeological interest within the proposed development site. This had focussed on a single small pit that contained Beaker pottery, animal bone, worked flint, burnt flint, a 'ball flint', charred hazel nut shell fragments, cereal grains and charcoal. The excavation, undertaken between 28 February and 8 March 2022, revealed two more pits of potentially contemporary date in close proximity to the previously excavated pit, although they contained smaller quantities of finds. A tiny, residual sherd of Beaker pottery was also retrieved from one of two postholes during the evaluation. These features were resolved, during the excavation, to have formed part of a ring, approximately 4.5 m in diameter, of seven postholes. The post-ring was probably the remains of a small, late prehistoric (e.g., later Bronze Age/earlier Iron Age) roundhouse. Small amounts of chronologically uindiagnostic late prehistoric pottery, worked flint, animal bone, sparse and poorly preserved charred cereal grains, charcoal and hazel nut shell fragments also came from the postholes. Other features encountered during the excavation included three small pits/postholes of uncertain date and function. Three larger, undated features, one of which (recorded during the evaluation) lay within the space described by the post-ring, were possibly quarry pits or tree-throw holes. Numerous natural features, mainly tree-throw holes, were also identified; none produced finds. The results provide a relatively minor, yet valuable contribution to current understanding of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and later prehistoric occupation of the landscape north and east of Old Sarum - as revealed by other, more extensive investigations in the local area. There is little potential to gain further information through analysis of the stratigraphic records and finds. However, selective analysis of the environmental remains and scientific dating could inform on wild and domestic plant exploitation practices during the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and help to refine the regional chronology of domestic Beaker pottery. Accordingly, it is proposed that, following a limited programme of analysis, the results of the project are reported in the form of a short, illustrated article, to be submitted for publication in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine.
Fitzpatrick et al. (Sat,) studied this question.