In response to a condition on the planning consent for the construction of a single storey extension to the rear of the existing building, enlargement of the existing patio and the excavation of new services following the demolition of an existing conservatory at 21 Moor End, Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, the Heritage Network was commissioned by the owner to undertake a programme of archaeological monitoring of the groundworks. The monitoring of the groundworks for the new building revealed a disturbed stratigraphy consisting of layers of foundation and bedding material overlying the natural clay beneath the pre-existing conservatory and patio. Elsewhere on the site the stratigraphy consisted of undisturbed topsoil and subsoil overlying the natural clay. Two archaeological features were revealed during the ground reduction, comprising a linear ditch running east to west at the northern edge of the site, and a shallow pit, which was cut by the ditch. Service trenches were subsequently excavated, but not monitored, as agreed with the Archaeology Officer from Central Bedfordshire Council. The ditch is likely to represent an earlier alignment of the northern boundary to the property, which appears from the cartographic evidence to have been remodelled between 1860 and 1880. The pit is likely to be of earlier post-medieval date. No features, finds or deposits predating the post-medieval period were observed during this project.
M. Sycamore (Wed,) studied this question.