Backbridge Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire: Archaeological Excavation

Based on the findings of the preliminary investigations detailed above and the impact of the proposed development, the WC Archaeologist required excavation of two areas: Area 1 (0.6ha): located in the north-west of the site along a proposed access road to investigate Roman ditched enclosures and pits identified during the evaluation; however, it was not a continuous area as it was bisected by several service constraints. " Area 2 (0.5ha): located in the centre of the site within an area of proposed attenuation ponds and LEAP (Locally Equipped Area of Play) to investigate a Late prehistoric ditch uncovered during the evaluation. Following machining, the exposed excavation areas, deposits and spoil heaps were subject to metal detector survey undertaken by Lee Squires, an experienced metal detectorist who regularly volunteers with CA. Between June and August 2021, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological excavation on land at Backbridge Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire for Persimmon Homes (Wessex) Ltd, with RPS Consulting Services Ltd providing advice. Two areas (1 and 2) totalling 1.1ha were excavated. A very small number of worked flints including a Mesolithic/Neolithic retouched blade were found, mostly redeposited within later features, and provides slight evidence for earlier prehistoric activity in the area. A ditch in the centre of the site (Area 2), originally identified during the earlier evaluation, contained a small assemblage of Late prehistoric pottery and is suggested to be of broad Iron Age date (Period 1). This ditch was apparently an isolated landscape feature, however, a few undated postholes were found nearby, though no structure was discernible, could also be contemporary. Evidence of Middle Roman (Period 2) activity was found across the narrow Area 1 excavation in the north-west of the site and comprised three sub-phases of Roman ditched enclosures that all contained pottery of c.2nd-3rd century AD date, with some indications that this occupation might have extended into the 4th century albeit at a less intensive level, along with a scattering of pits and postholes. These enclosures, which correlated well with anomalies from the preceding geophysical survey, indicated a continuation of the remains excavated to the east of Area 1 as part of an unrelated development at Tetbury Hill, though Roman activity there was focused in the 2nd century AD. Together they are probably parts of the same farmstead that exploited the advantages of a well-drained plateau at a short distance from the River Avon. The overall associated small pottery assemblage was consistent with that of other low status farmsteads in the local area. Locally sourced ceramics were initially the most frequently represented with a later shift in preference towards South Gloucestershire sources in the 3rd century. The animal bone assemblage was small and fragmentary suggesting the waste may have been originally middened and then reincorporated into the ditches, while the domesticated species are typical for the Roman period, with sheep/goat and cattle most numerous. Similarly, palaeoenvironmental evidence was scarce, with an indication of crop processing activity in one pit. A large piece of an upper rotary quern of Old Red Sandstone (from the Forest of Dean/Wye Valley) is also of note. The remains probably lay away from the main focus of rural settlement and it is probable that a mixed farming regime was followed. The land appears to have been used as agricultural fields during the subsequent medieval and post-medieval periods as indicated by extensive ridge and furrow and a probable postmedieval/modern field boundary in Area 2.