Drayton Sewage Treatment Works (STW) Trial Trenching: An Archaeological Evaluation Report

The archaeological evaluation comprised six trenches dug in horizontal spits in precise areas of the Site (Figures 3-8) affected by the AMP 7 improvements using a toothless bucket to ascertain whether archaeological features were present or not. The on-site procedures adhered to the methodology defined by the Written Scheme of Investigation (AOC Archaeology 2023a). To establish the proximity of possible services narrower trenches were dug using a vacuum excavator around the proposed location of trial trenches, which were subsequently dug using a mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless bucket. During the evaluation, two furrows, 206 and 503, were identified, one in Trench 2 and the other in Trench 5. While no finds were recovered from 503, a small assemblage was uncovered in 206. This assemblage, together with the stratigraphic evidence, demonstrated that the furrow was likely post-medieval in date but it also contained very occasional Roman pottery fragments interpreted as residual material. Given the proximity of the site to cropmarks reflecting the presence of a possible Roman settlement, it might be that furrow 206 cut a Roman archaeological feature along its route. This might explain the small number of Roman finds present within its fill. The archaeological evaluation built on the results of the previous watching brief by demonstrating the frequent modern disturbances of the site. The natural sandy gravel substrate was identified below the modern topsoil. As such, the project could determine that there was an almost complete absence of significant stratified archaeological features or paleoenvironmental deposits within the investigation of Drayton Sewage Treatment Works.