Abingdon Abbey Buildings Abingdon, Oxfordshire

The trenches were laid out as shown in Figure 2 by measuring from the existing buildings. Following the removal of modern floor surfaces, the exposed ground in each test pit was sufficiently cleaned to establish the presence/absence of archaeological remains. In all but Trenches 1 and 7 overburden and any layers of demolition or redeposited debris were then excavated by hand, in reverse stratigraphic order. Any complex or fragile remains were left in situ, and were protected by a layer of sand and geotextile prior to the backfilling and reinstatement of the trenches. 2.2.2 The initial excavation of Trenches 1 and 7 was undertaken using a mechanical excavator under close archaeological supervision until structural or other significant archaeological remains were encountered, following which these remains were cleaned and excavated by hand. 2.2.3 Trench 1 was reduced slightly in plan from the intended 3x2m in order to safely maintain public access to the Unicorn Theatre. The resulting trench measured 1.1 x 3.3m, with a small extension to the south-west to investigate the extent of a later truncation. 2.2.4 Trench 3 was found to coincide with a suspended wooden floor, which once lifted revealed the original stone floor. This lay at a depth sufficient to waive the need for further hand excavation. Due to the restricted access below the wooden floor, a photographic record of the earlier floor was made. 2.2.5 Within Trench 7 an unexpected ceramic drain was revealed running diagonally across the trench. As it was unclear whether this was still live, the HE IAM and the architect from Purcell wished to preserve this in situ, and therefore agreed that a 1x1m test pit excavated at the south-east end of the trench would be sufficient to meet the aims of the investigation. 2.2.6 Trench 5 was not excavated during these works in order to minimise disruption to the site and preserve the tile flooring within the Long Gallery, given the pre-application stage of the works. 2.2.7 All exposed structural and potentially structural remains were cleaned and left for inspection by the HE IAM so that she could determine whether they should be left in situ or removed for further investigation within the trenches. Oxford Archaeology was commissioned by Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings to undertake a test pit evaluation on the site of a group of buildings known as Abingdon Abbey Buildings. The works were undertaken to inform a proposed enhancement project to create an accessible community centre for the visual and performing arts. The work comprised the excavation of six trenches and took place between the 8th and 19th July 2024. The investigation produced a small assemblage of residual finds including two worked flints and some 224g of Roman pottery from across the site. Although no in situ Roman remains were identified, this material represents approximately half of the total pottery assemblage recovered. Although the wider area is known to include several extensive sites of this date, the proportion of material excavated during this project strongly suggests that it also extended across this site. Medieval activity on the site, contemporary with the use of Abingdon Abbey, was evident through various surfaces and associated deposits dating from the 12th to 13th centuries and later. In Trench 1, adjacent to the Checker Hall (Unicorn Theatre), the partial remains of several stone structures were also revealed. Although not securely dated, and only a small portion was revealed during these works, these structures provide evidence for previously unknown structures that either pre-date the adjacent Checker Hall or were associated with its use through the medieval and post-medieval periods.