Excavation of all pits were carried out using a mechanical 1.5 tonne 360� excavator fitted with a 1.0m wide toothless bucket. Each pit was dug beyond the suspected formation level of 450mm although as this was done with a machine, there was some variation in overall depth. The pits were carefully observed during the reduction process, paying particular attention to topsoil and subsoil finds, with the pits being periodically CAT scanned before, and during, the soil reduction process. The excavated pits were recorded using pro-forma trench and context sheets, whilst plans and sections were drawn at scales of 1:50, 1:20 or 1:10. Digital photographs were taken of each pit, including each excavated spit (in approximate 100mm increments), a sample of which have been reproduced in this document. All test pits were excavated to required depths, generally beyond the expected formation level for the cable installation trench. A number of finds were collected from Test Pits 2 and 3 and are all of either post medieval date or later (primarily roof tile), or of 19th and 20th century date (primarily pottery). No features or finds associated to the early medieval period, or any other periods other than those already highlighted, were observed.
Wayne Weller (Wed,) studied this question.