Archaeological watching brief at Calderfields Golf Academy

A Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) was prepared by Worcestershire Archaeology (WA 2020). Fieldwork was undertaken on 25 May 2020. One area covering 76m� was excavated and observed in the location shown in Figure 2. Deposits considered not to be significant were removed under constant archaeological supervision using a 360� tracked excavator, employing a toothless bucket. Observation of the excavated area was undertaken during and after machine excavation. The exposed surfaces were sufficiently clean to observe well-differentiated archaeological deposits, though any less clear may have not been identified. Deposits were recorded according to standard Worcestershire Archaeology practice (WA 2012) and trench and feature locations were surveyed using a GNSS device with an accuracy limit set at <0.04m. In the light of the evident disturbance encountered within this area (see below) and the very shallow nature of other proposed areas of groundworks it was agreed with the Curator that no further monitoring was warranted. All fieldwork records were checked and cross-referenced. Analysis was undertaken through structural evidence, allied to the information derived from other sources. The project archive is currently held at the offices of Worcestershire Archaeology. A copy of the report will be deposited with the Archaeology Data Service (ADS) via OASIS for validation with the Worcestershire HER, in order to disseminate the results. Due to the negative results of the project no further archiving will take place. No archaeological features or deposits were identified within the confines of the area monitored during groundworks at Calderfields Golf Academy. The deposits encountered indicated recent landscaping of the area and suggest the ground level has either been built up or truncated. Due to the relatively shallow depth of the trench is it not possible to tell the extent of the landscaping. Although the site is located in an area of widespread ridge and furrow earthworks, no evidence of this was found. Additionally, no finds we recovered from any of the deposits in the trench. After excavation of Trench 1, it was agreed in consultation with the Curator that it was not necessary to observe the rest of the groundworks for this project. This decision was taken due to the similarly shallow nature of the remaining trenches, their close proximity to the monitored area, and the level of disturbance in the groundworks area. It was agreed that the deposits encountered accurately characterised those present in the area of the site to be disturbed by construction. The methods adopted allow for a high degree of confidence that the aims of the project have been achieved. Conditions were suitable in the trench to identify the presence or absence of archaeological features. It is considered that the nature, density and distribution of archaeological features provides an accurate characterisation of the development site as a whole.