An archaeological evaluation, comprising 7 trenches measuring 30m long by 1.8m wide in plan, were excavated within the confines of the proposed 5530m� development. The 7 trenches covered a total of 378m�, representing a 7% sample of the Site. The trenches were excavated by a 360� tracked 15- tonne excavator, fitted with a toothless ditching bucket to the top of the natural substrate. All intrusive works were supervised by a suitably experienced archaeologist. Archaeological deposits and features were recorded according to accepted professional standards. Sufficient data was recorded to allow for a full characterisation of contexts and their relationships to be made and allow for future studies to query and compare the dataset with confidence. Archaeological contexts were recorded and numbered individually on pro-forma context sheets with all relevant data such as drawings, photographic images, finds, environmental samples, height values and any other information cross-referenced. A further, more general record of the work comprising descriptions and discussions of the archaeology was maintained as appropriate. A complete digital photographic record of the work was kept. All images were taken using a camera with a suitable megapixel resolution. The photographic record is regarded as part of the site archive and digital files will be appropriately filed, saved, labelled and cross-referenced in relation to a site-specific photography register The archaeological trenching evaluation comprised the machine excavation of seven trenches, covering an area approximately 5530m�, representing a c.7% sample of the proposed works area. The fieldwork was undertaken from the 23rd January 2024 to 24th January 2024. A relatively consistent stratigraphic sequence was recorded across the 7 trenches. The earliest recorded deposit comprised a loose glacial gravel substrate, with sand and degraded mudstone lenses, taken to be superficial Devensian Till diamicton deposits from a depth of 0.5mbgl (132.698mAOD). The natural geology was overlain by 0.3m - 0.5m of loose, dark greyish brown, loam topsoil. Some variation to the geology was noted in Trench 3, attributed to the Site's location within a geological basin and the loose, poorly sorted nature of the deposits. There was no variation to the topsoil across the Site. The works did not record any archaeological features or deposits.
Ruth Tipton (Mon,) studied this question.