Evaluation at Land south of Leeds Road, Thorpe Willoughby

Forty-three trenches were located and levelled using a Trimble GPS Rover ), all of which measured 25m in length. The trenches were positioned in order to assess anomalies highlighted in the results of the Geophysical Survey and areas thought to be devoid of archaeological activity were also examined. Once positioned the trenches were excavated using a tracked mechanical excavator, fitted with a wide toothless bucket operating under close archaeological supervision. In each trench, soils were removed down to perceived archaeological horizon, making sure to separate topsoil and subsoil deposits. The exposed surfaces were cleaned appropriately, and any subsequent excavation was carried out by hand. A sufficient sample of archaeological features and deposits were hand excavated, in order to address the aims of the Archaeological Evaluation by Trial Trenching. All excavation and recording was carried out in line with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation The Trial Trenching, which followed a Geophysical Survey, identified features highlighted in the results of the survey, which predominantly represent field boundaries present on Ordnance Survey mapping from the 19th century through to the latter half of the 20th century. It is considered that development within the site boundary is unlikely to encounter hitherto unknown archaeological features or deposits.