Avon College Durrington,

Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation

Ref: 115250.03 January 2017

wessexarchaeology

Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire

Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Prepared for: AECOM 6th floor, 2 Charlotte Place Southampton SO14 0TB

On behalf of: Business Service PO Box 4385 Trowbridge BA14 4DS

Prepared by: Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park Wiltshire SP4 6EB

www.wessexarch.co.uk

January 2017

Report Ref 115250.03

© Wessex Archaeology Ltd 2017, all rights reserved Wessex Archaeology Ltd is a Registered Charity No. 287786 ( & Wales) and SC042630 (Scotland) Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Quality Assurance

Project Code 115250 Accession Client Code Ref. Planning n/a Ordnance Survey 416165 144920 Application (OS) national grid Ref. reference (NGR)

Version Status* Prepared by Checked and Approver’s Signature Date Approved By v01 E GLW RAP 13/01/2017

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* I = Internal Draft; E = External Draft; F = Final

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THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT WAS DESIGNED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A REPORT TO AN INDIVIDUAL CLIENT AND WAS PREPARED SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THAT CLIENT. THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT DOES NOT NECESSARILY STAND ON ITS OWN AND IS NOT INTENDED TO NOR SHOULD IT BE RELIED UPON BY ANY THIRD PARTY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY WILL NOT BE LIABLE BY REASON OF BREACH OF CONTRACT NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE (WHETHER DIRECT INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL) OCCASIONED TO ANY PERSON ACTING OR OMITTING TO ACT OR REFRAINING FROM ACTING IN RELIANCE UPON THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ARISING FROM OR CONNECTED WITH ANY ERROR OR OMISSION IN THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THE REPORT. LOSS OR DAMAGE AS REFERRED TO ABOVE SHALL BE DEEMED TO INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS DAMAGE TO REPUTATION OR GOODWILL LOSS OF BUSINESS OR ANTICIPATED BUSINESS DAMAGES COSTS EXPENSES INCURRED OR PAYABLE TO ANY THIRD PARTY (IN ALL CASES WHETHER DIRECT INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL) OR ANY OTHER DIRECT INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE.

Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire

Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Contents

Summary ...... iii Acknowledgements ...... iv

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Project background ...... 1 1.2 Scope of document ...... 2 1.3 Site location, topography and geology ...... 2

2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 2 2.1 Introduction ...... 2 2.2 Designated assets ...... 2 2.3 Previous archaeological investigations ...... 3 2.4 Chronological summary ...... 4 Introduction ...... 4 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic (500,000 BC – 4, 000 BC)...... 4 Neolithic (4,000 BC – 2,200 BC) ...... 4 Beaker and Bronze Age (2,200 BC – 700 BC) ...... 5 Iron Age (700 BC – AD 43) ...... 5 Romano-British (AD 43 – 410) ...... 5 Saxon and medieval (AD 410 –1500) ...... 5 Post-medieval to modern (AD1500 – present day) ...... 6

3 EVALUATION AIMS ...... 6

4 METHODOLOGY ...... 7

5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESULTS ...... 7 Introduction ...... 7 Soil sequence and modern disturbance ...... 7 Features and deposits ...... 8

6 ARTEFACTUAL EVIDENCE ...... 8

7 ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 9

8 DISCUSSION ...... 9

9 STORAGE AND CURATION ...... 9 9.1 Archive preparation ...... 9 9.2 Museum ...... 9 i 115250.03

Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

9.3 Discard policy ...... 9 9.4 OASIS ...... 10 9.5 Security copy ...... 10 9.6 Copyright ...... 10

10 REFERENCES ...... 10

11 APPENDICES ...... 12 11.1 Appendix 1: context summary table ...... 12

Figures Figure 1 Site location and evaluation areas in relation to potential development plans Figure 2 Plan of phase 1 evaluation trenches

Plates Plate 1 Soil sequence trench 1 (1 m scale) Plate 2 General view of trench 1 from western end with machine sondage through probable geological deposit 104 (1 m and 2 m scales) Plate 3 North facing section through deposit 104 (1m scale) Plate 4 West facing section through postholes 105, 107 and 109 (0.5 m scale) Plate 5 North facing section through postholes 126 and 128 (0.2 m scale) Plate 6 General view of trench 2 from south (1 m and 2 m scales) Plate 7 General view of trench 3 from north-west (1 m and 2 m scales)

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Avon College,

Durrington, Wiltshire

Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Summary Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by AECOM on behalf of Wiltshire Council to undertake a phase 1 archaeological evaluation comprising three machine-excavated trial trenches on land to the north and east of the existing Avon College buildings, Durrington, Wiltshire (NGR 416165 144920).

Although no formal planning application has yet been submitted regarding developing the site, the phase 1 archaeological evaluation was undertaken, following a geophysical gradiometer survey, in order to provide further information for the potential redevelopment of the College site, whereby the existing buildings would be replaced by new ones.

The phase 1 evaluation was undertaken over two days (21nd – 22st December 2016).

A concentration of possible post-hole features, of unknown date, was uncovered in one of the three excavated trenches (trench 1), with the other two trenches devoid of archaeological features. In the same trench, a homogenous, well sorted, mid reddish brown sandy clay deposit was uncovered, that is currently considered a probable geological deposit, perhaps lying within a periglacial solution hollow. Although, there is a possibility that this deposit could be the upper fill of a large linear archaeological ditch, as the edge with the natural shows some similarity to the stepped upper edge of a substantial Late Iron Age ditch excavated at the MOD headquarters site (Thompson and Powell forthcoming), located some 500 m west of the site. However, the deposit revealed on this site is almost inclusion-free and sterile (although it contained burnt and worked flint) appears very different from the stony tertiary ploughed-in fill which contained many finds that infilled the ditch at the MOD headquarters site.

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Avon College,

Durrington, Wiltshire

Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Acknowledgements Wessex Archaeology would like to thank Matthew Surgeon of AECOM for commissioning the project and Clare King, Assistant County Archaeologist, Wiltshire Council, for her helpful advice and for monitoring the evaluation.

The evaluation was undertaken by Tom Blencowe, assisted by Alin Fuior and James Osborn. This report was compiled by Gail Wakeham. The finds were assessed by Matt Leivers. The graphics were prepared by Nancy Dixon. The project was managed on behalf of Wessex Archaeology by Ruth Panes.

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Avon College,

Durrington, Wiltshire

Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project background 1.1.1 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by AECOM on behalf of Wiltshire Council (‘the Client’) to undertake a Phase 1 archaeological evaluation on land at Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire SP4 8HH, centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 416165 144920 (hereafter ‘the Site’, Figure 1).

1.1.2 No planning application has yet been made regarding developing the Site. However, an architect’s scoping document has been produced outlining options to increase the capacity of the specialist sports college (Darnton B3 Architecture 2016).

1.1.3 The preferred option (an enhancement of option 3 from the architect’s report) includes the replacement of existing college buildings with new ones to the north and east of the present main building, on land that is presently occupied by hard standing and a grassed recreation area (phase 1, Figure 1). This option also includes informal hard play areas, car parking and landscaping including external sports pitches. Furthermore, it also includes the potential option to construct a new primary school in the west of the Site on land currently occupied by a grassed recreation area (phase 2, Figure 1).

1.1.4 Following consultation with the Assistant County Archaeologist for Wiltshire Council Archaeology Service (WCAS), it was agreed that:

 A geophysical gradiometer survey of undeveloped grassed areas of the proposed development area of both the new college building and the potential primary school option (totalling 1.8 ha); and  A 2% sample archaeological trial trench evaluation of undeveloped areas of the proposed new buildings (targeted on the results of the geophysical survey as well as ‘blank areas’) should be undertaken. 1.1.5 The geophysical survey was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology immediately prior to the phase 1 evaluation and did not identify any potential anomalies of archaeological interest within either of the two survey areas. However, the phase 1 area contained strong magnetic responses that could potentially mask weaker archaeological anomalies (Wessex Archaeology 2017).

1.1.6 The phase 1 evaluation was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI; Wessex Archaeology 2016) that was approved by WCAS prior to the commencement of fieldwork. The evaluation was completed over two days (21st–22nd December 2016).

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1.2 Scope of document 1.2.1 This report presents a summary of the methodology that was employed by Wessex Archaeology, and the full results of the phase 1 archaeological evaluation.

1.2.2 In format and content this document conforms with current best practice and to the guidance outlined in Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE; Historic England 2015) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standard and guidance for archaeological evaluation (CIfA 2014a).

1.3 Site location, topography and geology 1.3.1 Avon College occupies an irregularly-shaped parcel of land of approximately 9.6 ha located at the north-eastern edge of the village of Durrington, Wiltshire (Figure 1). Durrington lies approximately 3 km north of the town of Amesbury and between the military camps of Larkhill (to the west) and Bulford (to the east) on .

1.3.2 The Site is currently occupied by the present Avon College, with the main school buildings positioned in the centre of the Site. There is an access road with adjacent car parking from The Ham in the north-west of the Site. Hard standing play areas lie to the north of the main school buildings, as well as to the south-east. Another access road into the Site extends from Recreation Road in the south with adjacent small parking areas. Three large grassed recreation areas/sports pitches are located in the west, east and south of the Site. Durrington Swimming & Fitness Centre is located within a building to the east of the access road from Recreation Road, with an adjacent car park.

1.3.3 The Site is relatively flat, with a gentle slope from west to east, approximately 78 m to 75 m above Ordnance Datum (aOD). This reflects the local topography and hydrology with land falling towards the River Avon, which flows just east of the Site, beyond Avon Spring Fishing Lakes.

1.3.4 The underlying bedrock geology throughout the Site is mapped as Sedimentary White Chalk Subgroup – Chalk. Superficial Quaternary deposits of River Terrace Deposits (undifferentiated) – Sand and Gravel are also mapped (British Geological Survey, Geology of Britain Viewer).

2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 The Site is located within the archaeologically rich landscape of Salisbury Plain, 1.2 km to the north-east of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site (WHS), and a number of archaeological investigations have been carried out within the local area, with only the most significant summarised below.

2.1.2 A search of the Wiltshire Historic Environment Record (HER) and the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) was undertaken within a 1 km radius study area of the Site in order to provide information regarding the recorded archaeological and historical resource within the vicinity of the Site. The results of this search are fully detailed in the WSI (Wessex Archaeology 2016), and so are only précised below.

2.2 Designated assets 2.2.1 The Site is located 1.2 km to the north-east of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites WHS (Leivers and Powell 2016).

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2.2.2 The nationally significant Scheduled Monument (SM) of Durrington Walls (NHLE no. 1009133) lies 1.6 km south-west of the Site. Within the Study Area there are two Scheduled Monuments: Milston Farm enclosure (NHLE no. 1009653) located 280 m to the north-east of the Site is a undated possible settlement site with extant U-shaped earthworks. Secondly, Knighton Farm deserted medieval settlement and moat SM (NHLE no. 1010021) lies 830 m to the north-west of the Site.

2.2.3 There are a number of listed buildings in the study area but none of these are situated within or directly adjacent to the Site. The Site lies adjacent and to the east of the Durrington Conservation Area.

2.3 Previous archaeological investigations 2.3.1 The gradiometer survey undertaken in relation to this potential development did not identify any anomalies of archaeological interest within either of the two survey areas. Both the phase 1 and phase 2 areas contained strong ferrous magnetic responses likely related to the modern buildings and landscaping, however these have the potential to mask weaker archaeological anomalies (Wessex Archaeology 2017).

2.3.2 A number of previous archaeological investigations have been undertaken nearby to the Site; only the most significant will be discussed here.

2.3.3 The Site lies approximately 500 m east of an excavation undertaken by Wessex Archaeology at the former MOD headquarters site, on the north-west side of Durrington, which revealed evidence spanning the post-glacial to the post-medieval periods. A Late Glacial soil deposit from the warmer Windermere (Allerød oscillation) Interstadial (c.12, 000–9,500 BC) was recorded in the sides of a large Late Iron Age ditch. The first archaeological evidence dates to the Late Neolithic with two intersecting timber post alignments, together with a group of pits containing Grooved Ware, worked flints and other material, and two large natural hollows, one of which contained an adult cremation burial at its base. The only evidence of Bronze Age activity was an Early Bronze Age cremation burial that was preserved in situ. A small number of cremation and inhumation burials were uncovered from the Middle Iron Age. A very substantial Late Iron Age defensive ditch that may have defined an enclosure or formed another landscape boundary on the valley floor was also found. It was infilled in the Romano-British period and finds of painted plaster and stone roof tiles indicate a substantial building of this period located close-by. A metalled trackway post-dated the ditch and led to a series of field or plot boundaries defining a number of activity zones with ovens and pottery kilns separated from quarry pits. Finds suggest a very late Romano-British or even early post-Romano-British date for this settlement (Thompson and Powell forthcoming).

2.3.4 An small-scale evaluation at Willow Drive, Durrington completed in 2012, yielded two struck flints of Neolithic date, but revealed remains that were otherwise low in archaeological potential (Wessex Archaeology 2012).

2.3.5 There have been numerous archaeological works within military camps and the surrounding area relating to the current Army Basing Programme (ABP). Works in and around Bulford Camp have revealed that this is an area that is replete with prehistoric archaeological remains. Both Bulford Camp and Larkhill Camp are located within an Area of Special Archaeological Significance, as defined within the Salisbury District Local Plan (2011), with a potential for the presence of buried remains relating to prehistoric funerary and ceremonial monuments, settlement and agricultural practices (Wessex Archaeology 2015).

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2.3.6 Extensive geophysical surveys were undertaken at Bulford Camp 1.6 km east of the Site between 2014 and 2016, which located World War II military evidence. At Larkhill Camp, 1.5km west of the Site, Wessex Archaeology completed geophysical surveys and watching briefs that revealed evidence of prehistoric and Romano-British remains, together with World War II practice trenches (Wessex Archaeology 2015).

2.3.7 An archaeological monument condition survey was completed at ‘DTE Salisbury Plain’ by Wessex Archaeology in 2009–10 (EW18133). This was on land surrounding the Site to the north and east, bounded by the River Avon.

2.3.8 A watching brief at Milston Farm buildings 600 m north-east of the Site completed by M. Heaton of Archaeological Site Investigations in 1997 (EW14752), located archaeological features relating to ring ditches and linear ditches observed from aerial photographs.

2.3.9 In the wider area, the Stonehenge Riverside Project (which ran for several seasons from 2003) investigated a number of nationally important archaeological monuments with the WHS, including excavations at the SM of Durrington Walls. The massive ditch and bank of the henge were found to be at the end of the sequence of mid-3rd millennium BC activity, being preceded by the building of a substantial avenue (with a metalled surface) running some 170 m from the River Avon into the Southern Circle, a 40 m-diameter monument of six concentric rings of timber posts. A previously unknown Neolithic settlement was uncovered at this ceremonial complex, with the remains of small sub-rectangular timber houses within and outside the Durrington Walls henge1.

2.4 Chronological summary Introduction 2.4.1 There is considerable evidence for prehistoric activity across much of Salisbury Plain, including funerary monuments, settlements and field systems. The Avon Valley represents a key north-south transit route across the Plain, and is consequently a focus of this activity.

Palaeolithic and Mesolithic (500,000 BC – 4, 000 BC) 2.4.2 Though there are no entries from the HER specifically of this date within the defined study area, within the wider area of the Avon Valley activity is well known. A long-lived Mesolithic settlement site, visited over a period of nearly 3000 years, has been recently discovered at Blick Mead, Vespasian’s Camp, focused on a natural spring in the valley floor near Amesbury and when considered with nearby Mesolithic sites at West Amesbury and Countess Farm suggests particularly dense Later Mesolithic occupation (Jacques and Phillips 2014). In the 8th millennium BC there is also evidence that people erected large pine posts in the immediate vicinity of Stonehenge (Cleal et al 1995; Allen and Gardiner 2002).

Neolithic (4,000 BC – 2,200 BC) 2.4.3 Nationally significant Neolithic remains have been discovered at the henge monument of Durrington Walls and are discussed above (para 2.3.9). Evidence of contemporary activity including flint mining and worked flint and Late Neolithic pottery is recorded in the HER near the periphery of the study area, and a cropmark of ditches from a ploughed-out long barrow is known in the north-east of the Study Area near Milston Farm (MWI73372).

1 Parker Pearson Stonehenge Riverside Project: New Approaches to Durrington Walls (accessed Jan 2017) https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/archaeology/research/2.4329/intro 4 115250.03

Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

2.4.4 Previous investigations by Wessex Archaeology identified Late Neolithic timber post alignments and other remains at the MOD headquarters on the west side of Durrington (para 2.3.3 above).

Beaker and Bronze Age (2,200 BC – 700 BC) 2.4.5 The finding of an oval polished flint knife is recorded within the Site at the Secondary Modern School (MWI11916). A number of Bronze Age round barrows recorded in the HER are located in the north-east of the study area, including west of Knighton Farm, Brigmerston Corner, and East of Milston Farm. Further Bronze Age evidence in the form of a ring ditch from a ploughed-out barrow and a large enclosure ditch, and other remains, including crouched inhumations and worked flint finds, is recorded from investigations for a gas main between Figheldean and the Packway Enclosure to the south-west and north-west of the study area respectively (Graham and Newman 1993). Further cropmarks of ring and linear ditches near Milston Farm may also be of this date.

2.4.6 The MOD headquarters site at Durrington revealed an Early Bronze Age cremation burial in a collared urn (Thompson and Powell forthcoming).

Iron Age (700 BC – AD 43) 2.4.7 The Packway Enclosure, a kite-shaped enclosure of Iron Age, is the only entry of this date from the HER, it lies just outside the south-west extent of the study area by the roundabout junction of Netheravon Rd, Larkhill Rd and The Packway. It was first excavated in 1968 and the enclosure ditch was re-examined by Wessex Archaeology during works associated with a gas main though scarse features were found internally (Graham and Newman 1993). During the same investigations, an enclosed Late Iron Age/Early Romano-British settlement was located, predating the later Roman phase, at Figheldean, on the north-west edge of the study area (ibid).

2.4.8 A substantial defensive ditch located at the MOD headquarters site on the western side of Durrington was dated to the Late Iron Age, apparently enclosing a large area of valley floor, with the only other evidence of this period were earlier Middle Iron Age inhumations (Thompson and Powell forthcoming).

Romano-British (AD 43 – 410) 2.4.9 Approximately, 100 m to the north-east of the Site, a Romano-British cremation burial accompanied by artefacts including a bone pin, a knife blade, a clay object and pottery sherds was discovered south-east of Milston Farm House (MWI11403). Two phases of Romano-British settlement is recorded from investigations at Figheldean (Graham and Newman 1993). Other chance finds are also known from the western part of Durrington.

2.4.10 At the MOD headquarters excavation, Late Romano-British settlement evidence was uncovered (para 2.3.3 above).

Saxon and medieval (AD 410 –1500) 2.4.11 The HER records three findspots of Saxon date, including a copper alloy brooch and a iron- riveted bronze bookend, to the north of the Site near Milston Farm, Knighton Farm and Brigimerston Farm.

2.4.12 The settlement of Durrington has medieval origins and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Derintone, King’s land formerly Earl Aubrey’ 2. It remained as part of the King’s

2 http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/wiltshire1.html accessed 13/12/2016 5 115250.03

Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Phase 1 Archaeological Evaluation Report

estate of Amesbury until the 1120, when it became a separate manor3. A number of medieval farmsteads are known within the study area, the closest to the Site is East End Manor (Grade II listed, NHLE no. 1318507) located to the immediate west of the Site, on the east side of Bulford Road, dates from the 15th century and altered in the 17th century.

Post-medieval to modern (AD1500 – present day) 2.4.13 Post medieval water meadows (MWI11436) existed along the north and east banks of the River Avon, to the immediate north and east of the Site. There are several other entries in the HER of this date, including the possible site of a mill at Eastend Manor Farm (MWI12066) to the immediate north of the Site, and a number of 18–19th century farmsteads in the wider study area.

2.4.14 The first edition OS map of 1880 indicates that farmland (East End Manor Farm) occupied the Site and it is likely that this was the land use from at least the 15th century until the present school was built in the 1960s, as the Site was within the land holding of the medieval East End Manor. The 1880 map indicates small enclosures within the western part of the Site, bordered to the east by a tree-lined north–south field boundary (in the same approximate locality as the present access road to the Site from Recreation Road). To the east of this boundary, were two large fields, separated by an east–west track, heading towards the River Avon.

2.4.15 By 1924, the southernmost large field had been subdivided, though the northern field remained unchanged. To the immediate west of the Site, rows of houses and a school had been built along what now forms School Road and Milston View, and a gravel pit is shown within the easternmost part of the Site. The 1937 OS map indicates allotments within the southern part of the Site between Milston View and the aforementioned gravel pit.

2.4.16 The Site remained largely unchanged until the County Secondary Modern School was built between 1961 and 1971, with the addition of school buildings to the north of Milston View occupying the western part of the Site, though the former field in the east of the Site remains largely undeveloped as a playing field.

3 EVALUATION AIMS

3.1.1 With due regard to the CIfA’s Standard and guidance for an archaeological evaluation (CIfA 2014a), the aims of the trial trench evaluation were to:

 Clarify the presence/absence and extent of any buried archaeological remains within the Site that may be impacted by development;  Identify, within the constraints of the evaluation, the date, character and condition of any surviving remains within the Site;  Assess the degree of pre-existing impacts to sub-surface horizons and to document the extent of archaeological survival of buried deposits; and  Produce a report, which will present the results of the evaluation in sufficient detail to allow an informed decision to be made concerning the Site’s archaeological potential.

3 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol15/pp93-105 accessed 13/12/2016 6 115250.03

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4 METHODOLOGY

4.1.1 The detailed methodology of the archaeological evaluation was set out in the approved WSI (Wessex Archaeology 2016) and therefore will not repeated here in full. All works were carried out in compliance with the standards outlined in the CIfA’s Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014a).

4.1.2 The phase 1 evaluation consisted of the excavation of three trial trenches, each measuring 30 m x 1.5 m (Figure 2).

4.1.3 The trial trenches were located by GPS survey equipment and excavated using a mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless bucket under constant supervision by Wessex Archaeology personnel. Machine excavation proceeded in spits to a depth at which the top of archaeological levels or the top of natural deposits were exposed, whichever was the higher. All excavated spoil was visually scanned for artefacts.

4.1.4 Where appropriate, hand cleaning of the trenches was undertaken to establish the nature of the deposits, and an appropriate sample of archaeological features were manually excavated, sufficient to meet the aims and objectives of the evaluation.

4.1.5 All exposed archaeological deposits were recorded using Wessex Archaeology's pro forma recording system. All excavated trenches and features were accurately located using GNSS survey equipment.

4.1.6 A complete drawn record of the excavation was compiled including both plans and sections, drawn to appropriate scales (1:20 for plans, 1:10 for sections), and with reference to the Ordnance Survey National Grid. The Ordnance Datum (OD) height of all principal features and levels was calculated and plans/sections annotated with OD heights. A representative section of the deposits recorded within each trench was drawn.

4.1.7 A full photographic record was maintained during the evaluation using digital cameras equipped with an image sensor of not less than 10 megapixels. Digital images will be subject to managed quality control and curation processes which will embed appropriate metadata within the image and ensure long term accessibility of the image set.

4.1.8 A unique Wessex Archaeology project code (115250) was allocated to all archive elements.

5 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESULTS

Introduction 5.1.1 Archaeological features and deposits were only uncovered in one of the three excavated trenches (trench 1, Figure 2) comprising a number of undated possible post-hole features. At the western end of trench 1, a large deposit was uncovered that, from the gathered evidence is presently considered to be of geological origin, although there is a possibility that it also may be archaeological in origin (further discussed below).

Soil sequence and modern disturbance 5.1.2 The recorded overlying soil sequence was generally consistent across the evaluated area (Plate 1), with a grassed topsoil of mid greyish brown sandy clay loam that contained occasional flint and rare small chalk pieces (0.10 m thick), with an underlying subsoil consisting of a mid greyish brown sandy clay with sub-rounded flints >0.04 m (0.15–0.20 m thick). A small quantity of worked flint, burnt flint and an animal bone were retrieved from the subsoil.

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5.1.3 The underlying natural geology consisted of mid orange/reddish brown clay with common sub-rounded flints gravel with sparse calcareous fine inclusions. Some small periglacial solution hollows were also present (trench 3), infilled with mid brown clay giving the natural a mottled appearance. The natural was reached at 0.3–0.35 m below the existing ground surface (Plates 1-7). The possible geological deposit at the west end of trench 1 is described and discussed below.

5.1.4 Minimal disturbance was recorded in all three trenches consisting of plastic water pipes, and a modern service in trench 3, as well as concrete footings along the southern edge of trench 1 (Figure 2).

Features and deposits 5.1.5 In trench 1, deposit 104 was revealed, underlying the subsoil, extending for some 12.5 m from the western end of the trench. A machine sondage (approximately 0.3 m deep) excavated through this deposit revealed a well sorted, homogenous, mid reddish brown slightly sandy clay (Plate 2). A hand-excavated intervention measuring 1.2 m by 0.7 m and 1.2 m deep at the eastern end of this deposit showed that deposit 104 was homogenous with worm/root holes evident and very rare small flint inclusions (Plate 3). The interface with the natural geology 103 to the east was clear and showed a slightly irregular stepped profile that suggests this could be a cut archaeological feature. However, the homogenous, well sorted, almost inclusion-free nature of this deposit suggests that this is also a geological deposit, rather than a ploughed-in tertiary fill within a large linear archaeological feature (see discussion below). A small quantity of worked flint was retrieved from the upper part of deposit 104, though this does not negate the present interpretation, as archaeological finds and remains are known from other sites within the local area to accumulate in the top of periglacial solution hollows.

5.1.6 A concentration of possible post-holes was recorded in the eastern end of trench 1; they do not form a discernible pattern within the confines of the trench (Figure 2). A large sample of these were hand-excavated (inset, Figure 2) and these varied in dimensions from 0.1– 0.3 m in diameter, and in depth (0.10–0.29 m). Some were more convincing as post-holes features than others. Some appeared more likely to be natural features as they had undercutting sides and irregular bases (animal/root disturbance or small solution holes), . However none of these features yielded any finds and therefore they remain undated. All were filled with a mid reddish brown or mid greyish brown slightly sandy clay or silt clay (Plates 4–5).

6 ARTEFACTUAL EVIDENCE

6.1.1 Animal bone was limited to a single radius from an immature pig from the subsoil in trench 3.

6.1.2 Burnt flint was recovered in small quantities from the subsoil in trench 1 (nine pieces), trench 2 (one piece), trench 3 (three pieces). Although not necessarily anthropogenic, burnt flint is often associated with prehistoric activity.

6.1.3 Struck flint was recovered from layer 104 in trench 1 (17 flakes, one of which is burnt, four broken flakes, and one core fragment) and the subsoil in trench 2 (a flake and a broken flake). There are no retouched pieces. Condition varies, but some of the material from trench 1 is very fresh. The material is probably later Neolithic.

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7 ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

7.1.1 No well-dated or sealed archaeological deposits suitable for environmental sampling were present.

8 DISCUSSION

8.1.1 The phase 1 evaluation uncovered a concentration of possible post-hole features in only one of the three excavated trenches (trench 1). In the same trench, a homogenous, well sorted mid reddish brown sandy clay deposit was uncovered, that is currently considered a probable geological deposit, perhaps lying within a periglacial solution hollow. Although, there is a possibility that this deposit could be the upper fill of a large linear archaeological ditch, as the edge with the natural shows some similarity to the stepped upper edge of a substantial Late Iron Age ditch excavated at the MOD headquarters site (Thompson and Powell forthcoming), located some 500 m west of the Site. However, the deposit revealed on this Site being almost inclusion-free and sterile (although it contained burnt and worked flint) also appears different from the stony tertiary ploughed-in fill which contained many finds that infilled the ditch at the MOD headquarters site.

9 STORAGE AND CURATION

9.1 Archive preparation 9.1.1 The complete project archive, which will include paper records, photographic records and digital data, will be prepared following the standard conditions for the acceptance of excavated archaeological material by the recipient museum, and in general following nationally recommended guidelines (SMA 1995; CIfA 2014b; Brown 2011; ADS 2013).

9.1.2 All archive elements will be marked with the site code, and a full index will be prepared.

9.1.3 The physical archive is presently temporarily held at the offices of Wessex Archaeology in Salisbury under the project code 115250, and comprises the following:

 1 A4 file of paper records  1 box finds 9.2 Museum 9.2.1 It is anticipated that the project archive resulting from the excavation will be deposited with Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. The Museum is not currently accepting archives and as a result, the project archive will be stored at WA offices until such time that a suitable repository becomes available. WA will pass charges incurred onto the Client or return the archive to them upon completion of the project. Deposition of any finds will only be carried out with the full agreement of the landowner.

9.2.2 Until deposition, the archive will be temporarily held at the offices of Wessex Archaeology in Salisbury under the project code 115250.

9.3 Discard policy 9.3.1 Wessex Archaeology follows the guidelines set out in Selection, Retention and Dispersal (SMA 1993), which allows for the discard of selected artefact and ecofact categories which are not considered to warrant any future analysis. Any discard of artefacts will be fully documented in the project archive.

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9.3.2 The discard of environmental remains and samples follows nationally recommended guidelines (SMA 1993; 1995; English Heritage 2011).

9.4 OASIS 9.4.1 An OASIS online record http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/projects/oasis/ has been initiated and key fields completed on Details, Location and Creators Forms. All appropriate parts of the OASIS online form will be completed for submission, and this will include an uploaded .pdf version of the entire report (a paper copy will also be included with the archive). Subject to any contractual requirements on confidentiality, copies of the OASIS record will be integrated into the relevant local and national records and published through the Archaeology Data Service ‘ArchSearch’ catalogue.

9.5 Security copy 9.5.1 In line with current best practice (e.g. Brown 2011); on completion of the project a security copy of the written records will be prepared, in the form of a digital PDF/A file. PDF/A is an ISO-standardised version of the Portable Document Format (PDF) designed for the digital preservation of electronic documents through omission of features ill-suited to long-term archiving.

9.6 Copyright 9.6.1 The full copyright of the written/illustrative archive relating to the site will be retained by Wessex Archaeology under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 with all rights reserved. The museum, however, will be granted an exclusive licence for the use of the archive for educational purposes, including academic research, providing that such use shall be non-profitmaking, and conforms to the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003.

10 REFERENCES

ADS 2013 Caring for Digital Data in Archaeology: A Guide to Good Practice, Archaeology Data Service & Digital Antiquity Guides to Good Practice. Oxford, Oxbow Books Allen, M J and Gardiner, J 2002 A sense of time: cultural markers in the Mesolithic of southern England in David, B and Wilson, M (eds) Inscribed Landscapes: Marking and Making Places. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press,139–153 British Geological Survey, Geology of Britain Viewer; http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/ geologyofbritain/home.html (accessed January 2017) Brown, D H 2011 Archaeological archives; a guide to best practice in creation, compilation, transfer and curation, Archaeological Archives Forum (revised edition) Chartered Institute for Archaeologists [CIfA] 2014a Standard and guidance for archaeological evaluation. CIfA, Reading

CIfA 2014b Standard and guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials. CIfA, Reading

CIfA 2014c Standard and Guidance for the creation, compilation, transfer and deposition of archaeological archives. CIfA, Reading Cleal, R M J, Walker, K E and Mantague, R 1995 Stonehenge in its Landscape: Twentieth Century Excavations. London, English Heritage. Darnton B3 Architecture 2016 Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire RIBA Stage 2 Report. Unpublished client report 10 115250.03

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English Heritage 2011 Environmental Archaeology; a guide to theory and practice of methods, from sampling and recovery to post-excavation, Swindon, Centre for Archaeology Guidelines (2nd edition)

Graham, A and Newman, C 1993 Recent Excavations of Iron Age and Romano-British Enclosures in the Avon Valley, Wiltshire, Wilts Archaeol & Nat Hist Mag 86, pp. 8–57

Historic England 2015 Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment: The MoRPHE Project Managers’ Guide

Jacques, D, and Phillips, T 2014 Mesolithic settlement near Stonehenge: excavations at Blick Mead, Vespasian’s camp, Wilts Archaeol & Nat Hist Mag 107, pp. 7–27

Leivers, M and Powell, A B (eds) 2016 A Research Framework for the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site; Research Agenda and Strategy. Salisbury, Wessex Archaeology Monogr. 38 Museums and Galleries Commission 1992 Standards in the Museum Care of Archaeological Collections

SMA 1993 Selection, Retention and Dispersal of Archaeological Collections, Society of Museum Archaeologists

SMA 1995 Towards an Accessible Archaeological Archive, Society of Museum Archaeologists

Thompson, S and Powell, A B forthcoming Along Prehistoric lines Neolithic, Iron age and Romano-British Activity at the Former MoD Headquarters Durrington, Wiltshire. Salisbury, Wessex Archaeology monographs. Institute for Conservation [UKIC], 2001, Guidelines for the Preparation of Excavation Archives for Long-term Storage Wessex Archaeology 2012 Land at Willow Drive, Durrington, Wiltshire Archaeological Evaluation Report. Unpublished client report ref. 85300.02 Wessex Archaeology 2015 ABP Bulford, Larkhill, Perham Down and Tidworth Military Camps: WSI and Project Design for Archaeological Works. Unpublished client report ref. T19421.03

Wessex Archaeology 2016 Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Written Scheme of Investigation for Archaeological Geophysical Survey and Trial Trench Evaluation. Unpublished client report ref. 115250.01

Wessex Archaeology 2017 Avon College, Durrington, Wiltshire Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report. Unpublished client report ref. 115250.02

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11 APPENDICES

11.1 Appendix 1: context summary table

TRENCH 1 Dimensions: 30x1.5m Max. depth: 0.46m Ground level: 76.9m OD Coordinates (NGR) X = 416182.6 Y = 144986.4 (centre) Context Interpretation Description Depth (m) 101 Topsoil Turfed. Mid greyish brown sandy clay loam with occasional flint 0.00‒0.10 and rare small chalk pieces 102 Subsoil Mid greyish brown sandy clay with sparse sub-rounded flints 0.14–0.32 <0.04m and sparse small chalk inclusions 103 Natural Light yellowish brown sandy clay with abundant small sub- 0.32+ rounded flint gravel and fine chalk pieces 104 Layer Mid reddish brown sandy clay with very rare small flint (almost 0.32+ (probable inclusion-free). Homogenous, fine-grained, well sorted deposit. geological No evidence of tip-lines or layers of erosion from edge of deposit) feature. Contained burnt and worked flint. 105 Probable Moderate concave sides and concave base. Well defined edges, 0.10 post-hole more convincing as feature than others. 0.3 x0.24m 106 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay. Single fill of 105. 0.10 107 Possible post- Could be post-hole or an animal burrow. Moderate concave 0.12 hole or animal sides. Disturbed base. Associated with 109. Measured 0.22m in burrow diameter. 108 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 107. 0.12 109 Possible post- Could be post-hole or an animal burrow. Moderate concave 0.22 hole or animal sides. Disturbed base. Associated with 107. Measured 0.23m in burrow diameter. 110 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 109. 0.22 111 Possible post- Could be post-hole or an animal burrow. South edge undercut 0.24 hole or animal and disturbed. Moderate concave sides and concave base.0.28 burrow x 0.24 m. 112 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 111. 0.24 113 Possible post- Looks like two intercutting post-holes in plan, but sides are 0.32 hole or animal undercutting. 0.45 x 0.22m. burrow 114 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 113. 0.32 115 Possible post- Moderate concave sides and concave base. 0.16 m diameter. 0.14 hole 116 Fill of 115 Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 115. 0.14 117 Possible post- Moderate, slightly undercut, concave sides and flat base.0.26 x 0.19 hole 0.20 m. 118 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 117. 0.19 119 Probable Moderate concave sides and concave base. Well defined edges, 0.11 post-hole more convincing as feature than others. 0.29 x 0.27 m 120 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay. Single fill of 119. 0.11 121 Possible post- Steep concave sides and flat base. 0.25 m diameter. 0.14 hole 122 Fill Mid reddish brown silty clay, sparse fine chalk and flint gravel. 0.14 Single fill of 121. 12 115250.03

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123 Possible post- Steep concave sides and concave base. 0.35 m diameter. 0.29 hole Contains two fills. 124 Fill Lower fill of 123. Mid greyish brown sandy clay loam with sparse 0.11 fine chalk and flint gravel. Very similar to natural- primary fill? 125 Fill Upper fill of 123. Mid reddish brown sandy clay , vey similar to 0.18 deposit 104. 126 Possible post- Moderate concave sides and irregular base. Base maybe 0.08 hole disturbed by animal burrowing? 0.24 m diameter. 127 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.08 126. 128 Possible post- Steep straight sides and concave base 0.10m diameter. 0.15 hole 129 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.15 128. 130 Possible post- Could be post-hole but more probably animal burrow. Circular in 0.13 hole or animal plan but irregular sides and irregular base. 0.26 m diameter. burrow 131 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.13 130. 132 Possible post- Could be post-hole but more probably animal burrow. Circular in 0.10 hole or animal plan but irregular sides and irregular base. 0.29 m diameter. burrow 133 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.10 132. 134 Possible post- Could be post-hole but more probably animal burrow. Oval in 0.16 hole or animal plan but irregular steep undercutting sides. 0.46 x 0.12 m. burrow 135 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.16 134. 136 Possible post- Steep straight sides and concave base 0.20m diameter. 0.26 hole 137 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.26 136. 138 Possible post- Moderate concave sides and concave base. 0.22m diameter. 0.18 hole 139 Fill Mid reddish brown sandy clay, very similar to 104. Single fill of 0.18 138.

TRENCH 2 Dimensions: 30x1.5m Max. depth: 0.35m Ground level: 76.6m OD Coordinates (NGR) X = 416216.9Y = 144996.7 (centre) Context Interpretation Description Depth (m) 201 Topsoil Turfed. Mid greyish brown sandy clay loam with occasional flint 0‒0.10 and rare small chalk pieces 202 Subsoil Mid greyish brown sandy clay with sparse sub-rounded flints 0.10–0.30 <0.04m and sparse small chalk inclusions. Contained burnt and worked flint. 203 Natural Light yellowish brown sandy clay with common small sub- 0.30+ rounded flint gravel and fine chalk pieces. Also common solution hollows filled with mid brown clay.

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TRENCH 3 Dimensions: 30x1.5m Max. depth: 0.45m Ground level: 77.1m OD Coordinates (NGR) X = 416238.9Y = 144960.6 (centre) Context Interpretation Description Depth (m) 201 Topsoil Turfed. Mid greyish brown sandy clay loam with occasional flint 0‒0.10 and rare small chalk pieces 202 Subsoil Mid greyish brown sandy clay with sparse sub-rounded flints 0.10–0.23 <0.04m and sparse small chalk inclusions. Contained burnt flint and animal bone. 203 Natural Mid orange/reddish brown sandy clay with common small sub- 0.23+ rounded flint gravel and fine chalk pieces. Patch of yellowish brown clay to SE end of trench.

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146000 146200 146200

145000 TR1 TR2

TR3

TR4

TR5

TR6

TR7

Site boundary Areas of gradiometer survey Excavated Phase 1 trial trenches Site 144800 Archaeology Disturbance

Probable geological deposit Durrington Phase 1 trenches Proposed Phase 2 trial trenches Services - gas Services - electric Bulford Services - foul sewer 0 100 m Services - surface water sewer

Date: 11/01/2017 Revision Number: 0 Coordinate system: OSGB36 Site plan provided by the client. Scale: 1:40,000; 1:2000 @ A4 Illustrator: ND Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright and database right 2017. (OSTN15/OSGM15) This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. Path: X:\PROJECTS\115250\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\Eval\2017_01_10

Site location and evaluation areas in relation to potential development plans Figure 1 Trench 416200 Archaeology Disturbance TR1 132 130 Section line 123 126 121 128 105 136 111 107 138 134 119 117 109 145000 113 115 0 5 m

TR2 Inset

TR1

104

Site boundary TR3 Areas of gradiometer survey Excavated Phase 1 trial trenches Archaeology Disturbance Probable geological deposit Hand-excavated intervention

0 20 m

Date: 13/01/2017 Revision Number: 0 Coordinate system: OSGB36 Scale: 1:400; 1:100 @ A4 Illustrator: ND (OSTN15/OSGM15) This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. Path: X:\PROJECTS\115250\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\Eval\2017_01_10

Plan of phase 1 evaluation trenches Figure 2 Plate 1: Soil sequence trench 1 (1 m scale)

Plate 2: General view of trench 1 from western end with machine sondage through probable geological deposit 104 (1 m and 2 m scales)

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Date: 11/01/2017 Revision Number: 0

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Plates 1 & 2 Plate 3: North facing section through deposit 104 (1m scale)

Plate 4: West facing section through postholes 105, 107 and 109 (0.5 m scale)

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Date: 11/01/2017 Revision Number: 0

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Plates 3 & 4 Plate 5: North facing section through postholes 126 and 128 (0.2 m scale)

Plate 6: General view of trench 2 from south (1 m and 2 m scales)

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Date: 11/01/2017 Revision Number: 0

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Plates 5 & 6 Plate 7: General view of trench 3 from north-west (1 m and 2 m scales)

This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction.

Date: 11/01/2017 Revision Number: 0

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Plate 7 wessex archaeology

Wessex Archaeology Ltd registered office Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6EB Tel: 01722 326867 Fax: 01722 337562 [email protected] www.wessexarch.co.uk FS 606559

Wessex Archaeology Ltd is a company limited by guarantee registered in England, No. 1712772 and is a Registered Charity in England and Wales, No. 287786; and in Scotland, Scottish Charity No. SC042630. Registered Office: Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, Wilts SP4 6EB.