Report Upon Geophysical Survey and Project Design for Further Archaeological Evaluation at Cold Eaton Farm, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire

A planning application has been made by Messrs Hadfield for the construction of an agricultural workers dwelling at Cold Eaton Farm, Alsop en le Dale, Derbyshire. An archaeological evaluation has been required to assess the potential impact of the development on any archaeology. ARCUS were appointed as the archaeological contractors. A two stage process of evaluation has been undertaken. Stage I was a desk-top assessment and geophysical survey, this identified a circular feature within the evaluation area, which appeared to coincide with a pond marked on the 1955 O.S. map. Stage II involved the excavation of three trial trenches. The evaluation confirmed the presence of a pond as identified by the geophysical survey. The pond was a substantial feature constructed of layers of stone, clay and crushed limestone with a surrounding band of small compacted stones acting as an area of hard standing. North of the pond was an area where limestone rubble had been laid down, possibly acting as a route or trackway between the two entrances to the field.