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Report Title
Land at Canon's Close Wootton Bedfordshire - Archaeological Field Evaluation
Publisher and Publication Year
Albion Archaeology - 2005
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Summary
Non-Technical Summary Martin Grant Homes Ltd have been granted planning permission for a residential development on land off Canon's Close, Wootton. Acting on behalf of the local planning authority, Bedfordshire County Council's County Archaeological Officer advised that the area of the development was archaeologically sensitive. A condition was placed on the planning permission to secure a programme of archaeological investigation. To address the condition, Albion Archaeology was commissioned by Martin Grant Homes Ltd to undertake an archaeological evaluation of the site, with the aim of establishing its archaeological potential. The development area lies on the north-western edge of Wootton village, immediately adjacent to the local cemetery. It comprises an area c.0.69ha in extent and is centred on OS grid reference TL 0045 4558. There is evidence that the land surrounding Wootton village has been a focus of human activity and settlement from the Palaeolithic period to the modern day. The evaluation succeeded in recording the presence of, and demonstrating the relatively low importance of, the limited quantity of archaeological remains within the development area. A series of damaged, medieval ridge and furrow earthworks were present on part of the development area. The sub-surface archaeological remains consisted of a single posthole and a drainage ditch. Both contained residual artefactual material, which did not provide a firm date for either feature. Their stratigraphic position below subsoil suggests they are post-medieval or earlier in date. The ditch may represent a field boundary associated with the ridge and furrow. A series of artefact-bearing colluvial layers were recorded in the northern, lowest lying part of the site. These deposits demonstrate that human activity (possibly manuring) has taken place, probably over several centuries, within, and/or close to, the development area. However, they are considered to be of only low archaeological significance. Albion Archaeology Land at Canon's Close, Wootton, Bedfordshire Archaeological Field Evaluation 6 1. INTRODUCTION-----------------------------
5.2 Summary
The evaluation has succeeded in recording the presence of limited archaeological
remains within the development area. It has also successfully characterised them
as being of relatively low significance.
The remnant medieval ridge and furrow earthworks are in a damaged state and
cover only part of the development area. The sub-surface archaeological remains
consist of a single posthole and drainage ditch. Both contained residual
artefactual material which could not refine the post-medieval or earlier date,
derived from their stratigraphic position.
A series of artefact-bearing colluvial layers were recorded in the lowest lying part
of the site. These deposits demonstrate that (possibly over the course of several
centuries) human activity (possibly manuring) has taken place within, and/or in
the vicinity of, the development area. However, this evidence is considered to be
of only local archaeological significance.
Albion Archaeology
Land at Canon's Close, Wootton, Bedfordshire
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY-----------------------------
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 6 1.1 Planning Background 6 1.2 Site Location and Description 6 1.3 Archaeological Background 6 1.4 Aims and Objectives 7 2. EARTHWORK SURVEY 8 2.1 Introduction 8 2.2 Methodology 8 2.4 Results 8 3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF AMPHIBIAN FENCE 9 3.1 Introduction 9 3.2 Methodology 9 3.3 Extent and Nature of Groundworks 9 4. TRIAL TRENCHING 10 4.1 Introduction 10 4.2 Methodology 10 4.3 Results 11 5. SYNTHESIS 13 5.1 Discussion 13 5.2 Summary 13 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY 14 7. APPENDICES 15 7.1 Appendix 1, Context Summary 15 7.2 Appendix 2, Artefact Summary 23Headings
PrefaceStructure of the Report
Key Terms
Non-Technical Summary
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Planning Background
1.2 Site Location and Description
1.3 Archaeological Background
1.4 Aims and Objectives
2. EARTHWORK SURVEY
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Methodology
2.3 Results
3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF AMPHIBIAN FENCE
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Methodology
3.3 Extent and Nature of Groundworks
4. TRIAL TRENCHING
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Methodology
4.3 Results
4.3.1 Topsoil and undisturbed geological deposits
4.3.2 Trench 1 (Figures 7, 8 and 10)
4.3.3 Trench 2 (Figures 7, 8 and 10)
4.3.4 Trench 3 (Figures 7, 8 and 10)
4.3.5 Trench 4 (Figures 7, 8 and 10)
4.3.6 Trench 5 (Figures 7 and 8)
4.3.7 Trench 6 (Figures 7 and 8)
5. SYNTHESIS
5.1 Discussion
5.2 Summary
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
7.2 Appendix 2, Artefact Summary
7.2.1 Introduction
7.2.2 Pottery
7.2.3 Flint
7.2.4 Animal bone
Archaeological Feature
Layer
Manhole