Excavations at Brassington Lane, Old Tupton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

The following methodologies apply to all stages of the works at Brassington Lane, Old Tupton. Topsoil and subsoil were removed by a mechanical excavator, with a toothless ditching bucket, in level spits, to the first archaeological horizon under continuous archaeological supervision, in all phases of excavation works. All excavation areas were hand cleaned to expose the full nature and extent of archaeological features. Linear features such as ditches and gullies were sampled to a minimum of 10% of their length in hand excavated sections away from intersections and terminals. Discreet features such as pits and post holes were sampled to a minimum of 50%. Industrial features associated with production were excavated in their entirety once identified in sample excavation. Linear structural features, such as wall trenches, robber trenches, beam slots, were excavated, on a judgement basis, up to a sample size of 50%. Recording consisted of several aspects. The site was recorded using a Leica survey grade GPS, completion of drawings including sections and plans, and the compilation of a full record including written, graphic on on pre-printed record sheets. A full photographic record of the excavations was compiled using a digital camera, including any archaeological entities encountered and working shots. Environmental sampling was targeted, on a judgement basis, toward those deposits which were sealed and stratigraphically secure that also had the potential to provide environmental evidence relating to diet and economy, dating evidence, human health or land use regime. Here, either a minimum sample size of of 40 litres was taken or the entire deposit was collected as a bulk sample if smaller in volume than 40L. Deposits which offered the potential to obtain dating, associated with primary construction or use, use life, or final use, and which were adjudged to demonstrate primary relationships between artefact/environmental content and context of deposition, were sampled with a view to obtaining scientific dating. The archaeological trial trenching identified the preserved remains of settlement and field enclosures within the northern half of the site. The southern part of the site had suffered extensive truncation in the 20th century through the creation of water features and associated infrastructure. The strip, map and record excavation uncovered further evidence of the features within the trial trenching and demonstrated the preservation of coherent archaeological remains attesting to the medieval occupation of the site. The multi-phased programme of archaeological works has revealed evidence of occupation and other activities on the site spanning the eleventh - eighteenth century. A series of enclosures were identified on the fringe of a medieval settlement or house platform which appear to form part of a homestead and toft associated with the deserted medieval village of Tupton. Ceramic evidence suggests an 11th century origin with continued use until approximately the 16th century. The later reworking of the landscape carried out from the 16th century is likely associated with the rebuilding of neighbouring Egstow Hall and the creation of Old Tupton Hall.