Littleton Arms and Bridgeman House, Walsall

UCL Discovery, 2024

A geophysical survey was undertaken which included the site and two trial trenches were subsequently excavated within the boundaries of as part of a larger evaluation project by Cotswold Archaeological Trust (shown in Figure 1). A ditch dated to the post-medieval or modern period was the only feature encountered, although a single sherd of Roman pottery was also recovered (ibid.). THE EXCAVATED REMAINS 23 and 28 (Figures 1 & 2). Although it is difficult to extrapolate these features, they suggest that the Middle Iron Age agricultural landscape extended to the southwest of excavation Area I. In general the pottery groups from the evaluation trenches were also limited. However, the deposition of partiallycomplete pots in ditches in T22 and T28 was indicative of long-recognised phenomenon of deliberate burial of artefacts, for ritual or ceremonial purposes (cf. Hill 1995), and may suggest more intensive Middle Iron Age activity in the vicinity than was suggested by the recorded deposits.

2016

An archaeological excavation was undertaken at Marton Road, Long Itchington, Warwickshire (NGR SP 41626 65548). The excavation centred around a burnt mound that was discovered during initial archaeological evaluation of the site. An area measuring 30m x 30m was opened around the burnt mound, with a smaller 5m x 5m area targeting an area of possible activity to the south-east. The burnt mound was found to consist of two large pits and a spread of fire-cracked stone and charcoal, with a number of associated smaller pits. To the north was a hand-dug pond and an unlined trough with a posthole in each corner. To the east of the mound was a stone-lined track that ran north to south, and terminated at the southern extent of the excavation area. Whilst it remained undated, it was possibly associated with the burnt mound. The mound dated to 1410–1220calBC to 1390–1110calBC, suggesting a period of use spanning approximately 100 years. Environmental evidence showed that the majority of charcoal present on the site came from trees that give off a scent when burnt. A number of flints were recovered from the site and, though small in number, provided an assemblage noticeably larger than most burnt mound sites in the region.

Wealden Iron Second Series, 2022

2014

This report presents the results of a programme of archaeological excavation of 30 1m2 ‘test pits’ in the Leicestershire village of Great Bowden carried out in summer 2013 and 2014. The programme was funded by the Heritage Lottery with the aim of engaging the local community in their heritage. Scores of people from the local area took part in the excavations which provided new evidence for the development of the area now occupied by the village from the prehistoric period onwards. This appears to have lightly used by humans in the prehistoric period, but in the Roman period two sites, one (near the later church) considerably larger than the other, were present underneath the present village footprint. No evidence was found for activity in the 5th –9th centuries AD, but finds of late Anglo-Saxon pottery, especially Stamford Ware, indicate a thriving settlement newly founded between the mid 9 th - mid 11th centuries. The test pit data clearly show the settlement to have grown rapidly ...

2019

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in April 2019 on land at Plot B, Belmont Works, Eastside Locks, Birmingham. Three trenches were excavated. A wall and cobbled surfaces were identified, probably dating to the 19th century, correlating to structures shown on historic mapping. Evidence for modern disturbance and levelling was also recorded throughout the evaluation trenches

2019

In the summer of 2002 a ‘rescue’ excavation took place at Westwood, University of Warwick, after a significant late Iron Age occupation site was discovered during ground reduction for a new all-weather football pitch. The remains of 14 roundhouses were uncovered, their spatial arrangement signifying at least two phases of occupation. The excavation produced a reasonable quantity of well-preserved pottery and animal bone, its occurrence suggesting ‘structured’ deposition (i.e. deliberately-placed with ritual nuance). A crucible found at the site has since been the subject of independent study, revealing the first evidence for late Iron Age silver-working in the Midlands. Following wide media coverage, the discoveries attracted the attention of scholars and public alike. The excavation work was carried out for the University of Warwick (the Developer) by the university’s Centre for Life Long Learning, under the direction of Stephen Hill PhD, FSA. It followed on from a pre-determinative evaluation and a watching brief, in accordance with advice from the archaeological planning advisor for the Local Planning Authority (Coventry City Council). Somewhat astonishingly, the post-excavation programme of this major discovery managed to slip through the planning net. In the subsequent grant of planning consent (2003), the local planning authority placed no requirement on the developer to undertake analysis and publication of the results. At some time after the excavation the physical archive and the documentary archive became separated and entered different repositories; the documentary archive having become much depleted. This report, prepared in 2018, presents a quantification of the surviving archive and an assessment of its research potential. An addendum has been added in 2019 which clarifies the decision of the local planning authority, the position of the developer, and the likely reason for the termination of post-excavation research.

Souterrain Report SOU12-217, 2012

In May 2012, an archaeological excavation was undertaken by Souterrain Archaeological Services Ltd in advance of proposed development at Colley Hill Farm, Colmworth, Bedfordshire (NGR TL 106 582). The work was preceded an evaluation by trial trenching in November 2011 which revealed a substantial ditch and pottery attesting to settlement during the middle Iron Age (c.400‐c.100BC) and the late Iron Age (c.100BC to 43AD). In view of the lacunae in present knowledge about the character and extent of Iron Age settlement beyond the valley and gravel areas of Bedfordshire, the discovery is considered to be both locally and regionally significant. The open area excavation was ultimately limited to the proposed footprints of a hay barn and a stables block, with about 265sq.m of the Iron Age site being investigated. The Late Iron Age ditch proved to share characteristics of the ‘Wooton‐Hill–style’ of enclosure and it is understood to have defined a sub‐rectangular site of about 0.2 hectares. A second phase of Late Iron Age activity was also present. The ceramics evidence suggests that the settlement was abandoned before the Roman conquest. The excavation also revealed that during the medieval period the application site was within the open field system of Colmworth. The report combines the results of the excavation and the evaluation. It gives an illustrative, descriptive, quantitative and interpretative account of the results of the investigations, which is followed by assessment of further analytical potential.

2007

During 2004–2005 Oxford Archaeology carried out a series of archaeological excavations along the proposed route of the A421 Great Barford Bypass, Bedfordshire (NGR TL 102 513–TL 159 554). The route extends from the Black Cat roundabout on the A1 and runs to the north and west of Great Barford linking up at its western end to the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass near Water End. A total of nine sites (Sites 1–9) were investigated in detail revealing evidence of activity from early prehistoric times through to the post-medieval period. Earlier prehistoric activity was sparse and largely evidenced through a light flint scatter over the entire route and a single early Neolithic pit on Site 2. Isolated early Bronze Age pits were located at Sites 2 and 6. Following an apparent hiatus in the middle Bronze Age small-scale activity reappeared at Site 2 in the later Bronze Age-early Iron Age. More widespread occupation and associated activities were apparent from the middle Iron Age and have been documented at Sites 2, 4, 6 and 7. Three of these sites (2, 4 and 6) continued to be occupied into the later Iron Age. By the early Roman period Site 6 had become abandoned shortly followed by Site 2, but activity was still evident at Sites 1, 4, 7 and 8. Of these only Site 8 continued to be inhabited into the later Roman period, although a late Roman cemetery was excavated at Site 4, suggesting continued occupation nearby. Site 8 also saw some post-Roman activity as did the adjacent site at Site 9 where a small hamlet was established in the late Saxon/early medieval period possibly over an earlier mid-late Saxon settlement. Two new sites (Sites 3 and 5) saw small settlements established dating to the 10th–13th and 12th centuries respectively.

Archaeological Evaluation Report, 2019

John Moore Heritage Services carried out an archaeological evaluation to establish the quality of any archaeological preservation in advance of proposed developments to the land surrounding the main house located on the Bletchingdon Park estate in Bletchingdon, Oxfordshire (NGR SP 50533 18026). A total of 42 trenches ranging from 3m to 30m in length and 1.9m in width were strategically placed in five areas across the estate. Areas 1 &2 were in the northern field systems which were thought to be of low archaeological potential based on historic maps and records. However, due to the long-standing nature of the use of the land for agriculture associated with the estate, and the limited amount of archaeological testing in the immediate area, it was determined to be prudent to produce a sample of the area. Of the 42 total trenches, 24 were placed between these two areas, but only three of these contained evidence of activity earlier than that associated with modern agricultural use. The archaeological evidence showed a series of three separate ditches, two running on a N-S alignment and one on a E-W alignment, were present prior to the modern layout of the fields and tracks. Area 3 was located to the northwest of the main house directly south of the fish ponds which were being heavily renovated. The topsoil had been previously removed prior to monitoring of the excavation of the seven trenches, but the natural clay was immediately present below the removed topsoil. No archaeological preservation was observed in this area. Areas 4 & 5 were to the south of the main house and were determined to be of greater archaeological potential. Of the 11 remaining trenches in these two areas, all but two contained archaeological preservation. Evidence of the earlier medieval road leading from the village to Saint Giles Church was seen in TR2 and TR36. There was evidence of previous garden landscaping including level formation deposits and spatial division methods (i.e. walls and ditches), a garden boundary wall running parallel to the road, multiple ditches and pits which were likely to predate the current main house, and a substantial foundation wall which could have associated with a fairly substantial structure. Material recovered dates predominantly to the medieval period. Should it be deemed necessary a strip, map and sample exercise could be carried out in Areas 1 and 2 to record the agricultural features. The archaeology encountered in Area 4 could be preserved by record during excavation of the proposed area of underground car parking, access road and tunnel. This would give an understanding of the type of activity and its duration occurring in this location during the medieval period. The diffuse archaeological remains in Area 5 could be recorded and further investigated by a watching brief conducted during the groundworks in this area. All of the recording work over Areas 1-5 can be addressed by appropriate planning condition and the recording work carried through implementation.

An evaluation was carried out by John Moore Heritage Services on behalf of CgMs on land south of Whittington Way, Bishop’s Stortford. Trenching was targeted on the results of a geophysical survey. The results of the trenching revealed a Bronze Age ring-ditch, which had been reused in the Romano-British period, a Bronze Age trackway apparently to a field-system or droveway for animal pens. There were extensive remains of a Romano-British farmstead and associated agricultural activity, which probably comprised a vineyard, recovered on the western side of the site. A Roman enclosure, which may have had its origins in the Bronze Age, was sampled on the northern side of the site. To the west of this enclosure were further remains of Roman enclosures, and possible structures. A number of cremations were also observed across the site, some of which could assuredly be dated to the Roman period while others were undated. No further work is anticipated at the site at present.