An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Bonnyton, Wolverton, ahead of the erection of a new dwelling, in an area identified as potentially archaeologically significant. The area was proposed to be evaluated by means of 60m of trial trenching with each trench 30m long by 1.8m wide. However, due to the presence of two overhead services and large overhanging trees, the area was evaluation by two trenches, one measuring 12m long by 2.4m wide and the other a T-shape, with the top part measuring 12m by c.1.8m and the long part measuring 28m by c.1.8m. The work was carried out in accordance with The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Standard for archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2023). The evaluation comprised 52m of trial trench and the results suggest that significant archaeological deposits are unlikely to be impacted by the proposed development. Two features were exposed in the trenches; a small gully of 18th-19th century, or later, date and a probable tree bowl pit. It is likely both features relate to the orchard recorded from 1849 onwards. The absence of any medieval or post-medieval finds suggests the site is not close to any early settlement. The features are of negligible significance and no further archaeological work is recommended.
Harry Mason-Hodges (Mon,) studied this question.