ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION - Mike Griffiths and Associates

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also evident.
F2 was defined approximately 13.0m to the north of F1, and shared several characteristics. F2 had poorly
defined edges but was visible as a sub-circular feature measuring 0.20m in diameter (see Figure 38). Upon
excavation, this feature was found to contain a single backfill deposit (C1112) which consisted of a dark
yellowish-brown fine clayey-silt with frequent flecks of charcoal and moderate inclusions of gravel and pebbles.
A single fire-cracked pebble and a flint flake with edge use were recovered from C1112. F2 proved to be no
more than 0.05m deep, with gently sloping sides and concave base, and was interpreted as a small heavily
truncated pit.
A large irregular feature was identified at the northern end of Intervention 7 (F3). This feature continued
beyond both the eastern and western edges of excavation and where visible varied in width between 1.40m and
5.35m. A 1.0m sample of F3 was excavated at its widest point against the eastern edge of excavation. F3 was
found to contain a yellowish-brown silt with frequent gravel inclusions which became gradually darker with a
greater clay component at depth (C1113). C1113 shared a fairly clear interface with the surrounding gravel
subsoil, but was very sterile containing only mixed gravel inclusions. The sample excavation of F3 revealed
a shallow ‘v’-shaped profile with a maximum depth of c.0.70m (Figure 39). F3 was interpreted as a geological
anomaly, possibly a sink hole.
8.2.2 Intervention 8
Intervention 8 was located next to the northern edge of Zone D
in the southeastern part of the site and was positioned in order
to contact an anomaly identified during the soil resistance area
survey (Intervention 5, F45) (see Figure 36). This machine
excavated trench measured 50m x 4m and was orientated northsouth
(Plate 7). The ground surface within the area of the
trench was fairly level at c.41.10m AOD. The dark yellowishbrown
gravel and clayey silt ploughsoil (C1123) was found to
be c.0.35m deep overlying an orangish-brown gravel and silt
natural subsoil. The subsoil contained bands and areas of clean
grey mixed gravel.
Plate 7 Intervention 8 looking south (scale
2m)
A single feature was defined at the northern end of the trench (F4) (Figure 40). This feature was initially
defined as an amorphous deposit of brown silt which continued beneath the western edge of the intervention.
Upon excavation, F4 was found to be possibly sub-oval, containing a sterile deposit of light grey clayey silt with
lenses of oxidised silt immediately under the ploughsoil interface, and moderate inclusions of gravel and pebbles
throughout the deposit. F4 was approximately 0.35m deep with gently sloping sides and a fairly flat base
(Figures 41 and 42). F4 was interpreted as a possible sink hole and corresponds with the geophysical anomaly
F45. Areas of subsoil variation in the base of the trench also coincided with those suggested by the soil
resistance survey (including Intervention 5, F46).
FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY SPECIALISTS