The evaluation was undertaken as outlined in the Project Plan and followed the methodology laid out in the Location Specific Written Scheme of Investigation. A total of eight trenches were excavated to further define the extent of archaeological recording. No trenches were descoped. Two test pits into the topsoil and subsoil were excavated at each end of the trenches for finds recovery. The aims and objectives of the trenching were to confirm the presence/ absence, extent and depth of any surviving archaeological remains within the Site; determine the nature, date, condition, state of preservation including any preservation bias, complexity and significance of any archaeological remains; determine the likely range, quality and quantity of artefactual and environmental evidence present; suggest measures, if appropriate and feasible, for further archaeological investigation to mitigate identified significant impacts; contribute to the delivery of GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives as specified in the project plan. A total of eight trenches were excavated. Very limited archaeological activity was detected and there was generally poor correlation between the features detected and the geophysical anomalies with which the trenches were targeted upon. There appears to have been some evidence for truncation, probably from later ploughing which may have compromised the survival of archaeology. Overall, the amount and quality of archaeology detected was not substantial and the results of the evaluation suggest there is low potential for archaeological remains to be present within the vicinity of the trenches. No extension to the existing Archaeological Recording (excavation) areas was recommended.
Fernandes et al. (Fri,) studied this question.