An archaeological strip, map and sample (SMS) was undertaken by ISCA Archaeology at the site of a proposed new domestic building at Land at Grid Reference 236329 096848, Clawton, Holsworthy, Devon on 23 - 24 June 2025. A total area of 607.54m� was observed, which included the entire footprint of the new dwelling, garage, access and the locations of the future services. The rest of the site will not have any below-ground works associated with this development. The site is located c. 7km to the south of Holsworthy, on the eastern side of an unnamed lane linking Ashwater and Halwill to the A388 at Blagdon Cross. The SMR was undertaken to the north east corner of a grassed pasture field. The topsoil (0.3m thick) and subsequent underlying subsoil (0.1m thick) was removed by a mechanical excavator using a toothless grading bucket under constant archaeological supervision. The underlying natural substrate was observed across the whole SMS area and showed signs of heavy plough scarring. A single, north/south aligned sinuous ditch 104 was noted to the western extent of the area. The ditch measured 16.2m long, 0.88m wide by up to 0.4m deep and extended beyond the southern extent of the SMS area. The northern terminus of the ditch had been truncated by a later north/south linear cut, interpretated as a modern field drain. No artefactual or other dating material was recovered from the single dark brown silty clay fill (103) of the ditch. Elsewhere across the site further field drains and a modern waterpipe were noted.
Simon Sworn (Wed,) studied this question.