Grey Fox Stables Hatford, Faringdon Oxfordshire

Grey Fox Stables Hatford, Faringdon

Oxfordshire

Archaeological Evaluation

for Kernon Countryside Consultants

on behalf of Renata Rabello Costa

CA Project: 6730 CA Report: 18512

September 2018

Grey Fox Stables Hatford, Faringdon Oxfordshire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 6730 CA Report: 18512

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 28 Sian Cliff Final Internal QA LECC September Reynish Bateman 2018

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 3

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 4

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 4

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4) ...... 5

6. THE FINDS ...... 6

8. DISCUSSION ...... 6

9. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 7

10. REFERENCES ...... 7

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 9 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 10 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 11

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing identified archaeological features and cropmark (1:300) Fig. 3 Trench 1: Photographs and section (1:20) Fig. 4 Trench 2: Photographs and section (1:20)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Grey Fox Stables Location: Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire NGR: 435377 194961 Type: Archaeological Evaluation Date: 12-14 September 2018 Planning Reference: Vale of White Horse District Council: P18/V1510/FUL Location of Archive: To be deposited with Oxfordshire Museum Site Code: GFXS 18

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in September 2018 on land at Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire. Three trenches were excavated.

Towards the eastern end of the site a total of five ditches and two pits were identified. The northern-most ditch contained four sherds of pottery broadly dateable to the Roman period. All of the other pits and ditches were artefactually sterile.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In September 2018 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation on land at Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire (centred at NGR: 435377 194961) at the request of Kernon Countryside Consultants, on behalf of Renata Rabello Costa. The archaeological evaluation was undertaken to support a planning application that has been submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council (VOWHDC) for the redevelopment of the existing equestrian centre (VOWHDC planning ref: P18/V1510/FUL). The archaeological evaluation was recommended by Hugh Coddington, Archaeology Team Leader, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), the archaeological advisor to VOWHDC, prior to the determination of the application.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a Design Brief for Archaeological Field Evaluation (OCC 2018) prepared by Hugh Coddington (OCC) and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2018) and approved by Hugh Coddington. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). It was monitored by Hugh Coddington, including a site visit on 12 September 2018.

The site 1.3 The proposed development area is contained within the existing equestrian centre that is itself surrounded by agricultural land.

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Stanford Formation Limestone of the Jurassic period (BGS 2018). Although no superficial deposits are recorded within the current site, alluvial deposits are noted immediately to the east (ibid.). The natural substrate encountered during the current works comprised a mixture of limestone bedrock with patches of sands and silts.

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Aerial photographic evidence indicates a single linear cropmark, aligned broadly north-east to south-west, extends through the current site (see Fig. 2 for location and extent). Immediately beyond the western extent the cropmark turns northwards through 90 degrees towards a series of possible enclosures. None of the cropmarks

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

have previously been subject to archaeological excavation and consequently currently remain undated.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation were to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality, in accordance Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). This information will enable VOWHDC to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the Revised National Planning Policy Framework (MHCLG 2018).

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The archaeological evaluation comprised the excavation of three trenches in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). Trench 1 was moved slightly to the east due to the presence of modern intrusions identified during the initial excavation of the trench. The trench was also shortened to measure 22m in length and 1.6m in width to maintain access to an existing yard area. Trenches 2 and 3 each measured 30m in length and 1.6m in width. The trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual.

4.2 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual.

4.3 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites, no deposits were identified that required

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation.

4.4 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Oxfordshire Museum, along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4)

5.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts and finds are to be found in Appendices A and B.

5.2 A broadly similar stratigraphic sequence was observed within the evaluation trenches. The natural substrate was observed at a typical depth of 0.79m below present ground level (bpgl) within Trench 1 and at 0.38m bpgl within Trenches 2 and 3. It was overlain by subsoil averaging 0.2m in thickness. Within Trench 1 subsoil 104 was overlain by a series of three modern make-up and levelling deposits that were in turn sealed by 0.2m of topsoil. Within Trenches 2 and 3 the identified subsoil was immediately overlain by topsoil.

5.3 Where archaeological features were observed these cut the natural substrate and were sealed by subsoil. Within Trenches 1 and 2 large modern intrusions were observed cutting through the subsoil.

5.4 Trench 3 was devoid of archaeological deposits, although a natural variation in the sand and gravel substrate that broadly correlated with the location of the cropmark was hand excavated.

Trench 1 (Figs 2 & 3)

5.5 Four ditches, 106, 108, 110 and 113, and two pits, 115 and 117, were identified in Trench 1, all of which were between 0.1 and 0.25m in depth and all were artefactually sterile. None of these ditches or pits directly correlate to the cropmark previously identified on the aerial photographic evidence. However, it is possible that either of the two more substantive ditches, ditch 110 which is on a similar north-

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

east/south-west alignment as the cropmark or even ditch 113, may relate to the cropmark (Fig. 3, section AA).

Trench 2 (Figs 2 & 4)

5.6 North/south aligned ditch 203 was identified at the eastern extent of Trench 2 (Fig. 4, section BB and photographs). Four sherds of pottery broadly dateable to the Roman period were retrieved from the associated ditch fill. Throughout much of the remainder of the trench a large modern intrusion containing tyres and building rubble was revealed.

6. THE FINDS

6.1 Artefactual material of Roman date was hand-recovered from one ditch fill. Quantities of the artefact types recorded are given in Appendix B. The pottery has been recorded according to sherd count/weight per fabric. Roman fabric codes are equated to the Oxfordshire pottery type series (summarised in Booth 2011, 366–7).

Pottery 6.2 Four unfeatured bodysherds (10g) were retrieved from fill 204 of ditch 203. The fabric is a medium sandy greyware (R30) with a pale grey core and interior, and a black external surface. This pottery is broadly dateable to the Roman period.

8. DISCUSSION

8.1 The archaeological evaluation revealed limited dateable archaeological activity within the site. Identified towards the east of the site, within Trench 2, a north/south ditch 203 broadly dating to the Roman period was revealed. Further undated archaeological features comprising four ditches and two pits were identified within Trench 1 located towards the east of the site. The lack of dating evidence retrieved from these features makes interpretation difficult. However, the fills of these undated pits and ditches were very similar to that of ditch 203, perhaps indicating that these features are all contemporary.

8.2 None of these ditches or pits within Trench 1 directly correlate to the targeted cropmark previously identified on the aerial photographic evidence. However, it is possible that either of the two more substantive ditches, ditch 110 which is on a

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

similar north-east/south-west alignment as the cropmark or even ditch 113, may relate to the cropmark. This potentially suggests that the cropmark survives approximately 15m to the north than originally plotted. If it is accepted from the evidence recovered in Trench 1 that the cropmark survives further to the north than originally anticipated, then it most probably survives immediately beyond current location of Trench 3.

8.3 A large modern intrusion was observed truncating the southern end of ditch 203 and extending further towards the westward throughout Trench 2. A further modern intrusion was observed to the west of Trench 1. Such activity suggests that localised areas of the current site have previously been disturbed, possibly during construction of the existing equestrian facilities, and that activity would have removed any archaeological features or deposits that may have been present in those areas.

9. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Sian Reynish assisted by Jess Stevens. The report was written by Sian Reynish. The finds report was written by Jacky Sommerville. The illustrations were prepared by Tom Brown. The archive has been compiled and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Cliff Bateman.

10. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2018 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 21 August 2018

Booth, P. 2011 ‘The Iron Age and Roman Pottery’ in Hey, G. et al. 2011, 345–411

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2018 Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Hey, G., Booth, P. and Timby, J. 2011 Yarnton: Iron Age and Romano-British Settlement and Landscape. Thames Valley Landscapes Monograph 35. Oxford. Oxford Archaeological Unit MHCLG 2018 (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) 2018 Revised National Planning Policy Framework

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill Context Description L (m) W (m) D (m) Spot-date No. No. of interpretation 1 100 Layer topsoil dark brownish grey clayey silt with >22 >1.6 0.25 very common modern inclusion i.e. plastic, brick, glass ceramics. 1 101 Deposit levelling deposit light yellowish grey sand and fine >22 >1.6 0.08 gravel with a layer of terram at its base. Possibly a former surface. 1 102 Deposit make-up deposit mid greyish brown sandy clay with >11 >1.6 0.14 abundant woodchip inclusions. Possibly a former woodchip storage place. 1 103 Deposit make-up deposit mid greyish brown sandy clay with >22 >1.6 0.23 mind orangey brown mottling. Contains common modern brick, tile, stone etc. 1 104 Layer subsoil mid yellowish brown sandy silt. >22 >1.6 0.25 1 105 Layer natural substrate light brownish yellow gravelly silty >22 >1.6 >0.07 sand. 1 106 Cut ditch shallow E/W ditch with moderate >1.6 0.68 0.17 sloping sides. 1 107 Fill 106 fill of ditch mid brownish grey sandy silt. >1.6 0.68 0.17 1 108 Cut ditch shallow E/W ditch with moderate >1.6 0.63 0.13 sloping sides. 1 109 Fill 108 fill of ditch mid brownish grey sandy silt. >1.6 0.63 0.13 1 110 Cut ditch NE/SW aligned ditch with steep >1.6 0.74 0.16 sloping sides. 1 111 Fill 110 1st fill of ditch mid brownish grey sandy silt. >1.6 0.74 0.14 1 112 Fill 110 2nd fill of ditch mid greyish brown with dark orangey >1.6 0.46 0.08 brown mottling. 1 113 Cut ditch E/W aligned ditch with moderate >1.6 1.67 0.25 sloping sides. 1 114 Fill 113 fill of ditch mid brownish grey sandy silt. >1.6 1.67 0.25 1 115 Cut pit oval pit with moderate concave 1.08 0.68 0.13 sloping sides. 1 116 Fill 115 fill of pit mid brownish grey sandy silt. 1.08 0.68 0.13 1 117 Cut pit oval pit with moderate sloping sides. >1.33 1.10 0.25 1 118 Fill 117 fill of pit mid brownish grey sandy silt. >1.33 1.10 0.25 2 200 Layer topsoil dark brownish grey clayey silt >30 >1.6 0.2 2 201 Layer subsoil mid yellowish brown sandy silt. >30 >1.6 0.15 2 202 Layer natural substrate limestone bedrock with patches of >30 >1.6 >0.05 mid yellowish brown sandy silt and light brownish yellow gravelly silty sand. 2 203 Cut ditch N/S aligned ditch with steep concave >1.6 0.68 0.19 sloping sides. 2 204 Fill 203 fill of ditch mid brownish grey sandy silt. >1.6 0.68 0.19 RB 2 205 Cut modern pit large modern pit for dumping waste. >16 >1.6 >0.8 2 206 Fill 205 3rd fill of modern mid greyish brown silty cay with >16 >1.6 0.17 pit modern brick, tyres, plastic etc. 2 207 Fill 205 2nd fill of light yellowish white gravel with >16 >1.6 0.35 modern pit stone, brick and concrete inclusions. Possible demolition deposit. 2 208 Fill 205 1st fill of modern dark greyish/brownish black silty >16 >1.6 >0.45 pit clay with abundant modern inclusions, brick, metal, plastic tyres wooden fence posts, radiators etc. 3 300 Layer topsoil dark brownish grey clayey silt >30 >1.6 0.28 3 301 Layer subsoil mid yellowish brown sandy silt. >30 >1.6 0.12 3 302 Layer natural substrate limestone bedrock with patches of >30 >1.6 >0.02 mid yellowish brown sandy silt.

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Table 1: Finds concordance Context Category Description Fabric Code Count Weight (g) Spot-date 204 Roman pottery Medium sandy greyware R30 4 10 RB

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in September 2018 on land at Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire. Three trenches were excavated.

None of the identified ditches or pits directly correlate to the cropmark previously identified by aerial photographic evidence. However, it is possible that either of the two more substantive ditches may relate to the cropmark suggesting that it survives approximately 15m to the north than originally plotted. Project dates 12-14 September 2018 Project type Archaeological Evaluation Previous work Aerial photography Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates 435377 194961 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Oxfordshire County Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Cliff Bateman Project Supervisor Sian Reynish MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content Physical Oxfordshire Museum Pottery. Paper Oxfordshire Museum Trench sheets, context sheets, drawn sections, photographic registers. Digital Oxfordshire Museum Digital plan and digital photographs. BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2018 Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 18512

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BUCKINGHAMSHIRE FOREST BRACKNELL READING WOKINGHAM WEST BERKSHIRE OXFORDSHIRE OXFORDSHIRE SWINDON WILTSHIRE BOUROUGH OF BOUROUGH GLOUCESTERSHIRE 194000194000 196000196000 435350 435400 N

site boundary evaluation trench excavated intervention Inset cut feature modern cropmark B B section location

0 50m 195025

195000 0 15m

&URZQFRS\ULJKWDQGGDWDEDVHULJKWV2UGQDQFH6XUYH\

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 826185 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench location plan showing identified archaeological features and cropmarks

DRAWN BY TB PROJECT NO. 6730 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 01.10.18 APPROVED BY CMB SCALE@A3 1:300 & 1:1500 2 \\cotswold.lan\Projects\6730 Grey Fox Stables Hatford Faringdon Oxon EVAL\Illustration\Drafts\6730 Fig 2.dwg Ditch 110 with pit 115, looking west (1m scale) Ditch 113, looking west (1m scale)

Trench 1, looking north, showing excavated archaeological features (x2 1m scales)

Section AA

S N 71.4m AOD

Topsoil 100

Leveling 101 Make-up 102

Make-up 103

011:20 m

Subsoil 104 Andover 01264 347630 Rooting Fill 112 Cirencester 01285 771022 Rooting Fill 114 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Fill 111 Natural 105 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Natural 105 Archaeology Natural 105 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk Ditch 110 e [email protected]

Ditch 113 PROJECT TITLE Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 1: Photographs & section

DRAWN BY TB PROJECT NO. 6730 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 01.10.18 APPROVED BY CMb SCALE@A3 1:20 3 Section BB

71.6m Topsoil 200 AOD

Subsoil 201

Fill 204

Natural 202 Natural 202 Ditch 203

Ditch 203, looking north (0.4m scale)

Trench 2, looking west, showing excavated ditch 203 in foreground and modern disturbance within the centre of the trench (x2 1m scales)

011:20 m

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Grey Fox Stables, Hatford, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 2: Photographs & section

DRAWN BY TB PROJECT NO. 6730 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 01.10.18 APPROVED BY CMB SCALE@A3 1:20 4