NHER 68128 (Monument record) - Roman field system and other, undated and post-medieval remains

April 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
This survey identified a concentration of linear and rectilinear anomalies along the western edge of the site. These appear to represent a complex of enclosures with internal divisions, within which are numerous discrete, pit-type positive anomalies. It is likely these responses represent remains associated with an area of former settlement adjacent to Langley Road, with the complex, overlapping nature of the anomalies indicative of multiple phases of activity. A series of more extensive, east-north-east to west-south-west aligned linear anomalies extend eastwards from the probable roadside enclosures, several of which turn onto perpendicular alignments at their eastern end. Most are probably ditches associated with former field boundaries, although two pairs of adjacent examples potentially bounded trackways. As with the remains close to the road the intersecting nature of a number of these linear anomalies suggests several phases of activity are represented.
A number of weaker, more fragmentary linear anomalies may also represent archaeologically-significant remains. These include a roughly circular arrangement of short curvilinear anomalies in the central part of the site that could potentially represent the remains of some form of ring-ditch.
Various other anomalies were most likely the result of either modern agricultural activity or natural variations in the underlying soils and geology.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 27 February 2024.

September 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The 20 trenches excavated revealed numerous ditches and a number of discrete features, with many of the former corresponding with linear anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. There was clear evidence for at least limited Roman-period activity at this location, with pottery of this date recovered in small quantities from a number of the excavated ditches. Although none of these features can be regarded as convincingly dated it seems reasonably likely many of the east-north-east to west-south-east and north-north-west to south-south-east aligned ditches represent elements of a Roman field system. Samples taken from several of these ditches did though produce only small assemblages of charred macrofossils likely to represent a background scatter of refuse from the surrounding area.
The probable enclosures identified by the geophysical survey at the western edge of the site are though still of uncertain date, with no finds recovered from any of the corresponding ditches. This lack of cultural material does cast some doubt on the suggestion these features were associated with an area of former settlement, although it should be noted that many of the anomalies were not investigated.
Two linear features potentially correspond with the roughly circular arrangement of fragmentary linear anomalies identified in the central part of the site, although theirs forms and orientations suggest these were unlikely to represent a ring-ditch. One of these features contained two fragments of fired clay with a highly fired outer surface (suggesting they might represent part of a mould).
The small number of linear features that had not been identified by the geophysical survey included a curvilinear ditch with a steep sides and a ‘V'-shaped profile that potentially represented part of a small ring-ditch. No finds were recovered from this ditch.
Although a number of scattered probable pits were identified these were all undated and largely unremarkable features with sterile fills. The most notable exception was a fairly substantial circular pit with a dark fill containing frequent fragments of burnt flint. A sample from this deposit produced a large volume of charcoal and fragments of legumes.
Two particularly large features encountered close to the western edge of the site were interpreted as possible ponds. The small number of finds recovered from their fills were all post-medieval. There is no sign of these features on the available late 19th-century maps so they had presumably been infilled by this time.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 February 2024.