Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS LTD

BUCKS HERALD & WILKINS SOLICITORS SITE, AYLESBURY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD EVALUATION

Authors: Iain Williamson BA AIFA NGR: SP 8213 1354 Report No. 2064 District: Aylesbury Vale Site Code: AS996

Approved: Claire Halpin MIFA Project No. : P2658 Signed: Date: June 2006

This report is confidential to the client. Archaeological Solutions Ltd 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.

Archaeological Solutions Ltd. 98 – 100 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AB Tel: 01992 558170 Fax: 01992 553359 mail: [email protected] Web: www.arch-sol.co.uk Registered Number: 4702122

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

OASIS SUMMARY SHEET

SUMMARY

1 INTRODUCTION

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE

3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

4 METHOD OF WORK

5 DESCRIPTION OF RESULTS 5.1 Trench 1 5.2 Trench 2 5.3 Trench 3 5.4 Trench 4 5.5 Trench 5 5.6 Trench 6

6 CONFIDENCE RATING

7 DEPOSIT MODEL

8 DISCUSSION

9 ARCHIVE DEPOSITION

10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

BIBBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1 : CONCORDANCE OF FINDS BY FEATURE APPENDIX 2 : SPECIALIST FINDS REPORTS

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 OASIS SUMMARY SHEET Project details Project name Bucks Herald and Wilkins Solicitors site, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire In March-July 2006, Archaeological Solutions Limited (AS) carried out an archaeological watching brief and trial trench evaluation of the Bucks Herald and Wilkins Solicitors site, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (NGR SP 8213 1354) (Fig. 1) on behalf of Aylesbury Vale District Council prior to the site being redeveloped as a temporary carpark. The programme of archaeological fieldwork followed a Desk Based Assessment of the proposed development site. (AS Report No.1995, Newton. A 2006).

The archaeological evaluation revealed deep sequences of alluvial deposits, notable among which was the stratigraphy recorded in Trench 6, which exhibited evidence for the silting and meandering of the Bear Brook.

Trenches 1 and 3 identified a spur of natural drift (L1055=L1080) sealed by a medieval soil horizon (L1054), although no features were present cutting or sealed by this deposit.

At the north-eastern end of Trench 2 a large backfilled channel (F1081) was identified and appeared to have been deliberately backfilled at the prior to being sealed by a rammed chalk surface (L1058).

Trench 5 revealed a substantial layer of clunch rubble L1010 overlain by a layer of clay with clunch and tile inclusions (L1011). These deposits appear to have been deliberately dumped into an open water course, possibly an earlier course of the Bear Brook.

Post-medieval/modern activity was illustrated by a number of rubbish pits which truncated both the recent layers of made-ground and the underlying alluvial sequences, e.g., Pits F1071 and F1074 in Trench 2, Pits F1043, F1045, F1049 and F1052 in Trench 3 and the largest, pit F1012 in Trench 5. Project dates (fieldwork) June 2006 Previous work (Y/N/?) N Future work (Y/N/?) TBA P. number P2658 Site Code AS996 Type of project Watching brief & trial trench evaluation Site status Current land use Parking and newspaper office (recently demolished) Planned development Temporary car park Main features (+dates) Medieval soil horizon, post-medieval water channel Significant finds Project location County/ District/ Parish Buckinghamshire Aylesbury Vale Aylesbury HER/ SMR for area Buckinghamshire SMR Post code (if known) Area of site NGR NGR SP 8213 1354 Height AOD c. 76m AOD Project creators Brief issued by BCAS Project supervisor/s A Ginns, Iain Williamson Funded by Aylesbury Vale DC Full title Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire; An Archaeological Field Evaluation Authors Iain Williamson BA AIFA Report no. 2064 Date (of report) June 2006

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD EVALUATION

SUMMARY

In March-July 2006, Archaeological Solutions Limited (AS) carried out an archaeological watching brief and trial trench evaluation of the Bucks Herald and Wilkins Solicitors site, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (NGR SP 8213 1354) (Fig. 1) on behalf of Aylesbury Vale District Council prior to the site being redeveloped as a temporary carpark. The programme of archaeological fieldwork followed a Desk Based Assessment of the proposed development site. (AS Report No.1995, Newton. A 2006).

Trenches 1 and 3 identified a spur of natural drift (L1055=L1080) sealed by a medieval soil horizon (L1054), although no features were present cutting or sealed by this deposit.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In March-July 2006, Archaeological Solutions Limited (AS) carried out a programme of desk-based assessment, archaeological watching brief and trial trench evaluation of the Bucks Herald and Wilkins Solicitors site, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (NGR SP 8213 1354) (Figs. 1 & 2) on behalf of Aylesbury Vale District Council as part of a planning condition required prior to the site being redeveloped as a temporary car park (Planning ref. 05/02836). The programme of archaeological fieldwork followed a desk based archaeological assessment of the proposed development site (AS Report No.1995, Newton. A 2006).

1.2 The evaluation was conducted in accordance with a brief issued by Buckinghamshire Council Archaeology Service (dated 19/01/2006), and a specification prepared by AS (dated 30/01/2006). It also complied with the Institute of Field Archaeologists’ Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief (1994, revised 2001) and Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (1994, revised 2001) and Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England (Gurney 2003).

1.3 The specific objectives of the trial trench evaluation were:

• To establish the date, character and extent of any Prehistoric or Roman activity on the site • To establish the character and extent of Saxon/medieval/post-medieval activity on the site, bearing in mind the potential for environmental deposits relating to Bear Brook • To establish the depth of burial of significant archaeological deposits across the site, and the character and extent of any truncation that may have taken place; and • To interpret any findings in relation to Walton’s/Aylesbury’s document history, its known archaeology and historical topography

2 SITE DESCRIPTION Fig. 2

2.1 The proposed development site fronts Exchange Street, close to the roundabout forming its junction with Walton Street, lying at a height of c. 78m AOD. Land to both the north and south rises gently away from the assessment site but the area as a whole remains relatively flat. The Bear Brook lies immediately to the south of the site. The proposed development site was until recently occupied by the early to mid 20th century building of the Bucks Herald. A building of similar age, the Wilkins Solicitors building, number 25 Walton Street (now demolished), lay to the south western corner of the site. The site lies adjacent to the Aylesbury branch of the Grand Union Canal (opened as part of the Grand Junction Canal in 1815) and canal basin.

2.2 The historic core of Aylesbury is situated on an outcrop of soft Portland limestone. The solid geology of the area comprises Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay formations. Although the soils of the urban area are not mapped, the local drift geology comprises soils of the Denchworth association, derived from the underlying clay, with Grove association chalky drift soils to the south, both suitable for growing winter cereals with some dairying (Soil Survey of England and Wales 1983). The small watercourses of the Bear Brook give rise to localised alluvium and river gravel deposits.

2.3 The site lies within an archaeologically important part of Aylesbury, where multi- period archaeological remains have been identified. The site is of particular importance for the Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 Saxon and medieval periods, and also for study of the Roman-Saxon transition. The site lies between the historic cores of Walton and Aylesbury, on low-lying land that has the potential to seal and therefore preserve any archaeological deposits beneath alluvium or even preserved remains by waterlogging. Walton Street forms Identity Area 6 of the Aylesbury, Walton and Wendover Road Conservation Areas as designated by Aylesbury Vale District Council on the 3rd March 2004 (AVDC 2004, 64-65).

3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

3.1 A full appraisal of the archaeological and historical background of the proposed development site has been discussed in the Desk Based Assessment (AS Report No.1995, Newton A. 2006) prepared in advance of the programme of field investigation. An abridged version of the background for the assessment site is presented below.

Prehistoric

3.2 Evidence of prehistoric activity is present in the immediate area but is not extensive; the Lower Icknield Way, a main line of communication in prehistoric times, runs c. 15km east Aylesbury, east of Tring.

3.3 Neolithic finds include a flint side scraper from the town centre and examples of pottery and two stone axes from the Walton area, to the southeast of the assessment site (Farley 1976). Residual flint tools and flakes recovered during the Police Houses excavation on Walton Street in 1987 (SMR-CAS 0555500000) provide the only evidence of prehistoric activity within the immediate vicinity of the assessment site.

3.4 Extensive development along Walton Road and Walton Street in the 1980s and 1990s led to a series of salvage excavations in the area. Middle to late Bronze Age remains include a small cremation cemetery, pits, postholes hearths and a boundary gully found during excavations at Walton Lodge Lane (Bonner 1994), and a late Bronze Age to early Iron Age roundhouse settlement at the Orchard site (Ford & Howell 2004).

Iron Age

3.5 An Iron Age hillfort was located on the rounded outcrop of soft Portland limestone, using the hill’s natural topographical defences and augmenting them by the construction of a ditch around the crest (Hanley & Hunt 1993; Pearson 2000, 5).

3.6 There is substantial Iron Age evidence from the hilltop, including human and animal remains, and pottery. The main area of prehistoric settlement continued to be outside the defended area, at Walton. Residual pottery has been recovered from a number of multi-period sites in the area such as the Police Houses site on Walton Street (SMR-CAS 0555500000). Middle Iron Age pits and boundaries have been recorded at Aylesbury High School.

Roman

3.7 Aylesbury lies on the line of Akeman Street (presently the A41; SMR-CAS 0105003000), the Roman road that branched from Watling Street south of Verulamium (St Albans) and ran north-west, linking London with Chester (Margary 1973). The road may have Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

3.8 Excavations at Walton Road Stores have found evidence of coaxial field systems, structures and a small roadside inhumation cemetery. This indicates the antiquity of the street – the orientation of the later Saxon streets and property boundaries of Walton may have originated as early as the 1st century AD (Ford & Howell 2004, fig. 3.16).

3.9 Sparse and relatively incoherent Roman remains were discovered at rescue excavations conducted during the redevelopment of the town centre in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Excavations at 13-19 Buckingham Street in 1979 found two Roman ditches and later features that may have been part of a settlement fronting Akeman Street (Pevsner & Williamson 1994, 149).

Anglo-Saxon

3.10 Between the 6th and 10th century, the settlement has been recorded under the spellings of Aegelesbyrig or Aegelesburh, and as Eilesberia in the 11th century (VCH 1969, 1). Place- name evidence is disputed, suggesting that Aylesbury either derives from Ægel’s fortified place (burh) and was therefore a defended Saxon settlement (Hanley & Hunt 1993) or Eccles- burh, a fortified church (Mawer & Stenton 1925). The church of St Mary, c. 800m northwest of the site and lying west of the modern town centre, may have replaced a Saxon Minster church associated with St Osyth which stood at nearly the highest part of Aylesbury (Kelly’s 1935, 31).

3.11 The Walton Road excavations between the 1970s and 1990s revealed extensive early Anglo-Saxon, middle Saxon and late Saxon remains. These excavations indicate numerous early to middle Saxon Sunken Featured Buildings (SFBs), middle Saxon timber halls, ditched boundaries and fence-lines. Early Anglo-Saxon Walton appears to have been an extensive, dispersed settlement, with large unoccupied spaces between buildings (Dalwood & Dillon. 1989). In the middle Saxon period, this settlement may have expanded towards Aylesbury or been subject to some form of the ‘Middle Saxon Shift’ (Hamerow 1991).

3.12 Anglo-Saxon settlement activity in close proximity to the assessment site has also been recorded at the Orchard site, excavated in 1994-1995, where 6th to 8th century features comprising 8 post-built halls, and a grubenhaus (SFB) were located (SMR-CAS 0610800000).

Medieval

3.13 Eilesberia is referred to in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was a regional administrative centre with its own court and was a household manor of the King. It was a substantial manor of 16 hides, with two mills. The church in Aylesbury, St Mary’s, was held by the Bishop of Lincoln (Morris 1978). The hamlet of Walton is not separately named in Domesday. There is also evidence to suggest that Aylesbury had a Norman Castle, probably a minor, short-lived motte-and-bailey type and probably built either in the years after the Conquest or during the civil unrest of the early 12th century, probably in the Castle Fee area (Hanley & Hunt 1993, 2).

3.14 From at least the 11th century, the formal layout of various properties was established along both sides of Walton Street (SMR-CAS 0555500000). A possible fragment of the Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 manorial earthwork was excavated at Walton Court Farm, the site of the Manorial Courts. The core of medieval Aylesbury was probably located southeast of St Mary’s Church, the highest point in the town, around Kingsbury and west of Market Square. There were two hospitals and a Franciscan Friary founded in the 1380s, which stood on Rickford’s Hill (Pevsner & Williamson 1994, 149).

3.15 The Aylesbury market is first mentioned in the 13th century, but may be earlier, possibly dating back to the late Saxon period (SMR-CAS 0035400000).

3.16 Pottery sherds, animal bone and a leather shoe sole have been found at Walton Street during the construction of a new channel for the California Brook to the west of the proposed development site (SMR-CAS 0562900000, 0562900001, 0562900002, 0562900003). An evaluation conducted by HAT (now AS) at St. Mary’s School, Aylesbury, in 2001 revealed features of 12th to 15th century date, the nature and density of which implied peripheral occupation (Boyer 2001). Timber framed buildings of 15th to 18th century date stood in Bourbon Street, Silver Street and the Market Square until they were demolished in late 1964 (SMR-CAS 0028000000). Pottery dating to the 13th and 18th centuries was recovered from Silver Street (SMR-CAS 0028001000). A groat of Edward IV (r. 1461-1483) and one of Henry VII (r. 1485-1509) were found in the garden of 32 Walton Street in 1920.

Post-medieval

3.17 During the Civil War, Aylesbury was a Parliamentary garrison. The Battle of Aylesbury occurred at Holman’s Bridge to the north of the town in 1642 (Griffin 1998; Zeepvat 1994). Traces of Aylesbury’s defensive ditches have been excavated near St Mary’s parish church.

3.18 Aylesbury’s post-medieval economy was based largely on local agriculture, but lace- making became an important cottage industry in the 18th century. At this time, the town was clustered between St Mary’s Church and Market Square, with the pastures, duck ponds and hamlet of Walton to the southeast (Watkin 1981, 39).

3.19 The centrepiece of the marketplace is the Palladian County Hall (SMR-CAS 0099600000; architect Thomas Harris, built 1723-1740). The marketplace is the location of the White Hart Inn (SMR-CAS 0181000000), this was a 17th century inn that stood on the site later occupied by the Corn Exchange. It was rebuilt in 1814 and was demolished in 1864 to make way for the Corn Exchange. Another 17th century inn, the White Swan, at 3 Walton Street, (SMR-CAS 1209000000) is still standing and is a grade II listed building. Leading from the marketplace is the post-medieval road to London, the construction of which was paid for Sir John Baldwin (SMR-CAS 0044800000). This road is probably the present Wendover Road although it is possible that the London Road went via Walton Street, Walton Road and the present A41.

Early modern & modern

3.20 From the 1790s, a series of improvements were made to living conditions, including new stone pavements and the establishment of gas street lighting (1834), New public buildings and shop-fronts were designed for the marketplace. The county infirmary, which was later to become the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, opened in 1833 after a cholera epidemic.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 3.21 Despite these improvements, in the mid-19th century much of the area was poor, with people in Walton parish earning a living by rearing ducks, straw-plaiting and lace-making; many cottages were occupied by canal workers, with the low lying, waterlogged, marginal land used to grow reeds for basket weaving (May 1985, 92).

3.22 The construction of the Grand Junction Canal (SMR-CAS 0411900000, 0411901000, 0411902000) began in 1790, and the London-Kings Langley section opened in 1797. It ran parallel to the courses of the Colne and Gade, linking London to the Midlands. The Aylesbury Branch of the Grand Junction Canal (SMR-CAS 0295200000, 0295201000) was authorised in 1794 and probably completed in March 1914. The arrival of the canal halved the cost of straw and coal (Cook 1995, 57), facilitating the industrial development of Aylesbury. In the mid 19th century, a mission hut was built at the end of the canal by the vicar of Walton Church for the boatpeople. The exact location of the boatmen’s chapel is not known (CAS 0672200000). The canal lies to the south east of the assessment site; the canal basin and wharf lie just a few metres beyond the Bear Brook, which forms the south eastern boundary of the site.

3.23 Aylesbury’s industries developed in the later 19th century. Hazell’s printworks (later Hazell, Watson and Viney’s) moved from London to Aylesbury in 1867. The Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co., later to become Nestlés, set up their red brick factory on the eastern bank of the canal in 1870 using local milk. The Walton Brewery, later the Aylesbury Brewery Company and taken over by Hall’s in 1989, was also a major firm.

3.24 During the 20th century there were many changes to the development and street pattern of Aylesbury. The town underwent considerable development between the 1960s and the 1980s, which radically altered the layout and appearance of the historic core of the town. The first significant development was the Southcourt housing estate, built in the 1920s, followed by speculative development around the ring-road in the 1930s (Pevsner & Williamson 1994, 150). Several buildings in the vicinity of the assessment site were built in the early 20th century, when Exchange Street was widened and redeveloped.

4 METHOD OF WORK Fig. 3

4.1 The evaluation adhered to the Institute of Field Archaeologists’ Code of Conduct and Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (revised 1999), as well as the relevant sections of Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England (Gurney 2003). A programme of archaeological monitoring and recording was carried out during the latter phases of demolition on site (principally the removal of ground slabs), in order to inform the trenching strategy for the evaluation, and to record any exposed archaeological remains. This phase of the project was carried out during late May and early June 2006 according to the brief and specification, and also accorded to the IFA Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief (revised 2001).

4.2 Six linear trenches, 1 measuring 20m x 1.6m and 5 trenches measuring 10m x 1.6m were excavated using a 180° mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket. The trench locations were approved by the Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Service. Trench 2 was shortened to 10m due to on-site constraints and Trenches 1 and 3 were moved to form a ‘T’ shaped trench to the west of their original positions to maintain a clear access across the site.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 4.3 Undifferentiated overburden was mechanically excavated. Thereafter all further investigation was undertaken by hand. Exposed surfaces were cleaned as appropriate and examined for archaeological features and finds. Deposits were recorded using pro-forma recording sheets, drawn to scale and photographed. Excavated spoil was checked for finds and the trenches were scanned by metal detector. The project was visited by Dr Rob Scaife in order to advise on sampling of alluvial deposits recorded in the trenches.

5 DESCRIPTION OF RESULTS Figs. 3 - 6

Individual trench descriptions are presented below:

5.1 Trench 1

Northeast End Southeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.26m AOD 0.00 – 0.16m L1076 Dark black-grey, compact Tarmacadam. Carpark surface. 0.16 – 0.33m L1042 Dark, brownish grey, friable, silty sand, with frequent angular and sub-angular, gravel clasts, CBM and concrete fragments <100mm. Made ground. 0.33 – 0.43m L1077 Pale yellowish white, compact but friable, sub-angular chalk and sub-rounded ballast. Hardcore levelling. 0.43 – 0.57m L1082 Dark, grey-brown, firm, clayey silt, with occasional chalk and charcoal flecks and rare CBM fragments <50mm. Topsoil. 0.57 – 1.12m L1036 Mid greyish yellow-brown, firm, silty clay, with occasional sub-angular chalk, charcoal flecks and rare CBM <50mm. 1.12m+ L1080= Pale orange-brown, firm, silt clay, with occasional sub-round L1055 gravel clasts <50mm. Natural drift.

Southwest End at Junction with Trench 3 Southeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.26m AOD 0.00 – 0.14m L1042 Dark, brownish grey, friable, silty sand. Made ground. As Above. 0.14 – 0.46m L1082 Dark, grey-brown, firm, clayey silt, topsoil. As Above. 0.46 – 0.79m L1036 Mid greyish yellow-brown, firm, silty clay. As Above 0.79 m+ L1080= Pale orange-brown, firm, silt clay. Natural drift. As Above. L1055

Description:

Trench 1 was orientated NE-SW across the Exchange Street frontage forming a ‘T’ shaped trench with Trench 3 (Fig. 3).

5.1.1 A modern drain (F1078/L1079) was recorded at the northeast end of the trench. Aligned northwest-southeast F1078 (1.60m+ x 0.23m x 0.40m) had near vertical sides which broke sharply to a flat base. The single fill L1079 comprised a mid-dark, grey-brown with

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

5.1.2 Visible along the south-eastern edge of the trench was the northern limit of L1054 (see Trench 3), which sealed the natural drift (L1055=L1080) and was overlain by L1036.

5.1.3 With the exception of a recent geotechnical pit truncated the sequence of deposits on the northern side of the ‘T’ junction with Trench 3, no archaeological features or finds were present in this trench.

5.2 Trench 2

Southwest End at Junction with Trench 3 Southeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.13m AOD 0.00 – 0.19m L1056 Dark grey, friable, silty sand, with frequent CBM fragments <200mm and scrap metal. 20th Century demolition spread. 0.19 – 0.34m L1057 Dark grey, firm, clayey silt with lenses of mid yellow builder’s sand and crushed brick. Modern levelling deposit. 0.34 – 0.49m L1058 Pale white, compacted crushed chalk. Modern levelling surface sealing channel and alluvial sequence. 0.49 – 0.99m L1062 Dark grey, compact, clayey silt, with occasional angular gravel clasts <10mm and CBM fragments <150mm. Post- medieval alluvium. 0.99 – 1.11m L1066 Dark grey-brown, compact, silty clay, with rare sub-angular gravel clasts <10mm. Alluvium. 1.11 – 1.35m L1067 Pale green stained, blue-grey, cohesive, silty clay, with no inclusions. Alluvium. 1.35 – 1.56m L1069 Pale grey, cohesive, silt clay, with no inclusions. Alluvium. 1.56 – 1.82m L1070 Mid grey, cohesive, silt clay, with occasional angular and sub-angular CBM (150g) and tile fragments <100mm. Post- medieval Alluvium (?). 1.82 – 1.99m L1039 Pale blue-grey, soft, slightly silty clay with no inclusions. Alluvium. 1.99m+ L1040 Mid yellow-orange with grey mottling, compact, poly-modal gravel with a sandy matrix. Natural riverine gravel.

Description:

Trench 2 was located in the north-eastern corner of the site. Shortened to 10m due to limited access, it was aligned NE-SW (Fig. 3).

5.2.1 An additional layer of post-medieval alluvium (L1065) was recorded overlying L1067 and sealed by L1066 in the centre of the trench (Fig. 5). Alluvium L1065 was a dark grey- brown, compact, silty clay, with occasional charcoal and limestone flecks <25mm and occasional sub-angular tile fragments <100mm.

5.2.2 The north-eastern end of the trench was dominated by a large cut feature (F1081), possibly a man-made channel or water management feature, which extended beyond the north- eastern limits of excavation.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

5.2.3 The southern edge of channel F1081 (3.2m+ x 5.0m+ by 1.40m+) sloped gently towards its base (which lay beyond the limits of excavation) and crossed the northeast end of the trench on a northwest-southeast alignment, cutting alluvial layer L1062. The sequence of deposits filling F1081 are described in the table below:

Southwest End at Junction with Trench 3 Southeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.13m AOD 0.00 – 0.02m L1056 Dark grey, friable, silty sand. 20th Century demolition spread. As Above. 0.02 – 0.31m L1060 Dark grey, compact, clayey sand, with moderate CBM and Tarmac fragments <100mm. 20th Century levelling layer. 0.31 – 0.38m L1057 Dark grey, firm, clayey silt and builder’s sand. Modern levelling deposit. As Above. 0.38 – 0.51m L1058 Pale white, compacted crushed chalk. Modern levelling surface. As Above. 0.51 – 0.65m L1061 Dark grey brown, compact, clayey sand, with occasional CBM fragments <100mm. Final levelling infill of F1081. 0.65 – 1.11m L1059 Mid brownish orange, compact, sandy clay, with no inclusions. Imported backfill of F1081. 1.11- 1.31m L1064 Mid grey brown, compact, silty clay, with moderate sub- angular gravel clasts <20mm and occasional tile fragments <150mm. Fill of F1081. 1.31 – 1.68m L1063 Orange mottled mid grey brown, compact, silty clay, with green staining and occasional angular gravel <20mm. 1.68 – 1.84m L1068 Dark brown grey, soft, sandy silt, with a high organic content and occasional fresh water snail shells. Primary silting of channel F1081. Cuts 1062 @ F1081 Cut of a large channel cutting alluvial layer L1062 (3.2m+ x 0.51m 5.0m+ by 1.40m+). Aligned NE-SW, the southern edge sloped gently towards its base which lay beyond the limits of excavation. 0.51- 0.98m L1062 Dark grey, compact, clayey silt. Post-medieval alluvium. As Above.

5.2.4 The primary fill of F1081 (L1068), was consistent with material deposited in an open water filled channel and produced finds comprising cbm fragments (378g), animal bone (52g) and clay pipe stem fragments (5g).

5.2.5 Later fills of this feature (L1061, L1059 and L1064) suggest that it was deliberately backfilled prior to being sealed by levelling layers L1058 and L1057. L1063 contained cbm fragments (308g) and L1067 contained pottery sherds of 14th-16th century date (58g), cbm fragments (204g), animal bone (24g) and shell (34g).

5.2.6 Levelling layer L1057 was cut by two modern pits. The first (F1074) was a sub- rectangular pit (0.80m x 0.40m+ x 0.45m) extending from the northwest section of the trench (Fig. 5), with near vertical sides which broke sharply to a flat, slightly concave base. It contained a single fill (L1075), a dark grey-black, silty sand, with a high ash content and

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

5.2.7 The second pit (F1071) was located at the southwest end of the trench extending from the northwest section (Fig. 5). Sub-rectangular in plan, F1071 (1.40m x 0.50m+ x 0.83m), had near vertical sides which broke sharply to a flat sloping base. Pit F1071 contained two fills, the basal fill L1072 was a mid orange-brown, compact, silt clay, with no inclusions, which was sealed by a secondary fill L1073. L1073 comprised a dark grey, friable, sand silt, with frequent (50%) glass fragments <75mm and moderate CBM fragments <100m. The composition of fill L1073 suggests that this was also a rubbish pit or small bottle dump.

5.3 Trench 3

Northwest End at Junction with Trench 1 Northeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.18m AOD 0.00 – 0.09m L1042 Dark, brownish grey, friable, silty sand. Made ground. As Above. 0.09 – 0.28m L1082 Dark, grey-brown, firm, clayey silt, topsoil. As Above. 0.28 – 0.53m L1036 Mid greyish yellow-brown, firm, silty clay. As Above 0.53 – 1.01m L1054 Mid-Dark brown-grey, firm, clayey silt, with occasional sub- angular limestone fragments <50mm. This deposit yielded medieval pottery sherds (11th-13th century) and animal bone. Buried medieval soil horizon. 1.01m+ L1055 Pale orange-brown, firm, silt clay. Natural drift. As Above.

Southeast End Northeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 75.99m AOD 0.00 – 0.11m L1042 Dark, brownish grey, friable, silty sand. Made ground. As Above 0.11 – 1.30m L1041 Mid grey, compact, alluvial silt clay, with occasional gravel inclusions <75mm. 1.30m+ L1055 Pale orange-brown, firm, silt clay. Natural drift. As Above.

Description:

Trench 3 was excavated on a NW-SE alignment through the centre of the site forming a ‘T’ junction with Trench 1 (Fig. 3).

5.3.1 At the north-western end of the trench natural drift deposit (L1055=L1080) was encountered at 75.14m AOD breaking down slope, southeast towards the Bear Brook.

5.3.2 The natural drift was sealed by buried soil horizon (L1054) which produced pottery sherds of 11th-13th century date (75g) and animal bone (27g). Layer L1054, followed the topography of the underlying natural tipping towards the Bear Brook to the southeast. This deposit ended 10.50m from the south-eastern end of the trench at the edge of the valley, where it was overlain by L1041 and the alluvial sequence of the Bear Brook (Fig, 4).

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 5.3.3 At the south-eastern end of the trench a mid greenish grey, firm, clayey silt alluvium (L1048) was recorded overlying layer L1041, tipping towards the Bear Brook (Fig. 4).

5.3.4 Towards the south-eastern edge of the trench layer L1041 was cut by a 20th century pit F1052, which was observed in section only. Pit F1052 (1.68m x 0.48m) had moderately steep sloping sides, stepped on the southern edge, and which broke gradually to a concave base. It contained a single fill L1053, which comprised a mid brown-grey, compact, silty clay, with moderate angular CBM fragments <100mm, occasional sub-angular limestone fragments <50mm, plastic and scrap metal.

5.3.5 Underlying the recent made ground L1042 at the south-eastern end of the trench, was a second layer of made ground (L1051) which comprised a dark brown, firm, silty sand, with occasional sub-angular gravel clasts <50mm, CBM fragments <100mm and charcoal flecks <10mm.

5.3.6 Made ground L1051 was truncated by a sub-oval pit (F1049) which extended from the southern section of the trench. Pit F1049 (1.24m x 0.50m+ x 0.42m) had moderately steep sides which broke gradually to a concave base. It contained a single fill (L1050), a dark brown, firm, sandy silt, with moderate CBM fragments <150mm, and occasional limestone and charcoal flecks <20mm.

5.3.7 Alluvium L1048 was cut by was truncated by two inter-cutting pits F1045 and F1043 (Fig. 4). The earlier of the two pits (F1045) measured 0.55m x 0.30m, with a steep sloping northern edge with broke fairly sharply to a flat, sloping base, its southern edge was truncated by F1043. Pit F1045 contained two fills; the basal fill L1046 was a mid brown, firm, silty clay with moderate CBM fragments <75mm and occasional charcoal flecks <20mm, which was sealed by L1047 a mid greenish grey, firm, silty clay, with occasional sub-angular limestone fragments <50mm.

5.3.8 Pit F1043 (0.61m x 0.43m) had steep, near vertical sides which broke sharply to a flat base. It contained a single fill L1044, a mid brownish orange, firm, silt clay, with occasional sub-angular limestone and CBM fragments <50mm and charcoal flecks <20mm.

5.4 Trench 4

Northeast End Northwest facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.24m AOD 0.00 – 0.10m L1033 Pale ‘off’ white, concrete slab. Modern concrete. 0.10 – 0.18m L1034 Pale greyish-white, crushed concrete and sub-angular gravel. Levelling layer for modern concrete slab. 0.18 – 0.40m L1035 Dark grey-beige, compact, silty clay, with occasional limestone and CBM fragments <50mm and charcoal flecks <5mm. 0.40 – 0.78m L1036 Mid (green tinged) greyish yellow-brown, firm, silty clay, with occasional sub-angular chalk, charcoal flecks and rare CBM <50mm. a single pottery sherd of residual medieval shelly ware pottery (19g) in addition to cbm fragments (540g), glass (3g) and clay pipe stem/bowl fragments (13g). 0.78 – 1.10m L1041 Mid grey, compact, alluvial silt clay, with occasional gravel inclusions <75mm. Pottery sherds of 13th-15th century date Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 were recovered (173g) in addition to animal bone (17g). 1.10m+ L1038 Pale-mid slightly grey mottled, yellowish orange, firm and cohesive, clayey silt, with occasional calcareous clasts <50mm.

Southwest End Northwest facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.17m AOD 0.00 – 0.14m L1033 Pale ‘off’ white, concrete slab. Modern concrete. 0.14 – 0.22m L1034 Pale greyish-white, levelling layer for modern concrete slab. As Above. 0.22 – 0.48m L1035 Dark grey-beige, compact, silty clay. As Above. 0.48 – 0.88m L1036 Mid (green tinged) greyish yellow-brown, firm, silty clay. As Above. 0.88 – 1.24m L1037 Mid grey, orange mottled, firm and cohesive, clayey silt, with occasional sub-angular limestone and CBM flecks <50mm. 1.24– 1.88m L1038 Pale-mid slightly grey mottled, yellowish orange, firm and cohesive, clayey silt. As Above. 1.88m+ L1083 Pale creamy greenish-grey, compact, slightly silt clay, with occasional calcareous nodules <50mm. Natural, weathered Kimmeridge clay.

Description:

Trench 4 measured 10m in length and was orientated NE-SW across the southern end of the Exchange Street frontage (Fig. 3).

5.4.1 No archaeological features or deposits were present in this trench.

5.5 Trench 5

Northwest End Northeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.18m AOD 0.00 – 0.06m L1000 Mid grey, friable, angular crushed concrete, brick fragments and mortar, with a 20% silt clay matrix. Recent demolition layer. 0.06 – 0.19m L1002 Pale grey, friable, poorly sorted sub-angular gravel, angular crushed mortar and brick fragments <200mm. Made ground. 0.19 – 0.43m L1003 Dark grey, soft, silt sand and ash with moderate sub-angular CBM fragments <200mm, modern glass and plastic. Made ground. 0.43 – 0.59m L1007 Dark greenish grey, cohesive, silty clay, with occasional CBM, glass, plastic and scrap metal fragments. Made ground/modern dump layer. 0.59 – 0.76m L1008 Mid grey, firm and cohesive, alluvial silt clay, with occasional CBM fragments <100mm and charcoal flecks <5mm. Post-medieval alluvium. 0.76 – 1.11m L1009 Mid bluish-grey, firm, alluvial silt clay, with occasional charcoal flecks <5mm. Post-medieval alluvium. A single

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 sherd of possible Saxon pottery was recovered from this layer (11g) 1.11m+ L1011 Mid greenish yellow, firm, clayey silt sand, with frequent sub-angular chalk and clunch fragments <75mm and occasional tile fragments <100mm. Post-medieval levelling layer.

Southeast End Northeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.26m AOD 0.00 – 0.16m L1000 Mid grey, recent demolition layer. As Above. 0.16 – 0.25m L1001 Mid purplish-brown, compact, sand silt and lime. Made ground. 0.25 – 0.49m L1003 Dark grey, soft, silt sand and ash, made ground. As Above. 0.49 – 0.70m L1006 Mid orange, friable, clayey sand, with occasional CBM, glass, plastic and scrap metal fragments. Made ground. 0.70 – 0.97m L1008 Mid grey, post-medieval alluvium. As Above. 0.97 – 1.11m L1009 Mid bluish-grey, post-medieval alluvium. As Above. 1.11 – 1.71m L1010 Pale greyish-white, poorly sorted, clunch rubble, with a 30% silt clay matrix and occasional very small CBM and tile fragments <150mm. Post-medieval dump deposit. 1.71 – 1.81m L1031 Dark brown, soft, organic silty sand, with occasional sub- angular clunch fragments <20mm. Organic alluvium. 1.81m+ L1032 Dark brown-grey, organic silt clay, with frequent natural round wood fragments and plant macro remains and water snail shells. Organic alluvium. Cbm fragments (191g) were recovered.

Description:

Trench 5 was located at the southern extent of the site orientated NW-SE (Fig. 3).

5.5.1 Deposits L1002 and L1007 were present at the northern end of the trench tipping down slope towards the Bear Brook (Fig. 6). The layer of made ground L1002 was overlain by L1001, and the dump layer L1007 was overlain by made ground L1006. Layers L1006 and L1007 formed the earliest deposits in a sequence of later post-medieval dumping and made ground, which sealed the post medieval alluvium L1008.

5.5.2 The clunch rubble layer L1010 overlay organic alluvium L1031, forming a consolidated rubble layer 0.60m deep. Layer L1010 was sealed by levelling layer L1011 in the northern half of the trench. L1010 contained pottery sherds of late medieval-17th century date (255g), animal bone (11g), glass shards (143g) and clay pipe stem fragments (12g). L1011 contained no finds. It is likely that these deposits represent either the deliberate backfilling of part of the old course of the Bear Brook or some form of waterside structure, e.g. a revetment, wharf or crossing point.

5.5.3 Made ground (L1001) was cut by a modern concrete foundation (F1004), which crossed the trench on a NE-SW alignment. F1004 (3.0m x 0.38m x 0.27m) had vertical sides

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

5.5.4 A large pit (F1012) cut L1001, dominating the southern end of the trench and extending beyond its excavated limits (Fig. 6). F1012 had near vertical sides, which broke fairly sharply rounding to flat base; it contained a single fill L1013, a mixed deposit comprising a friable, mid grey, silt clay mottled with mid yellow and dark brown sand/sandy silt, with frequent, CBM, bottle glass, plastic and timber fragments. F1012 represents a large modern rubbish pit, truncating the sequence of deposits at the southern end of Trench 5.

5.6 Trench 6

Northeast End Southeast facing Sample section: 0.00 = 76.35m AOD 0.00 – 0.28m L1014 Dark brownish orange, friable, silty sand, with moderate angular CBM fragments <150mm, glass and plastic inclusions. Modern made ground. 0.28 – 0.84m L1018 Mid grey, firm, silty clay, with occasional CBM fragments <100mm and charcoal flecks <5mm. 0.84 – 0.99m L1028 Dark bluish grey, firm, alluvial silt clay, with moderate angular CBM fragments <200mm. Post-medieval alluvium. 0.99 – 1.24m L1029 Mid grey, firm, alluvial silt clay, with no inclusions. Alluvium. A single sherd of later medieval pottery (37g) was recovered. 1.24 – 1.84m L1030 Pale slightly brownish grey, firm and cohesive, silty clay, with occasional sub-angular chalk clasts <50mm. 4 sherds of 13th-15th century pottery (61g) were present. Alluvium. 1.84 – 1.98m L1039 Pale blue-grey, soft, slightly silty clay with no inclusions. Cbm fragments (64g) and animal bone (598g) were recovered. Alluvium. 1.98m+ L1040 Mid yellow-orange with grey mottling, compact, poly-modal gravel with a sandy matrix. Natural riverine gravel.

Description:

Trench 6 was located in the southern of the site, aligned northeast-southwest parallel to the present course of the Bear Brook (Fig. 3).

5.6.1 The stratigraphy of the southern end of the trench comprised a sequence of alluvial deposits, likely laid down in several silting episodes, within the course of a slow moving channel as it meandered across the southern part of the site. The possible channel edge can be seen ‘truncating’ the earlier alluvial deposit L1028 (Fig. 5).

5.6.2 The earliest of the channel deposits was L1027, a thick homogeneous alluvial deposit which was itself ‘truncated’ by second phase of channel silting; deposits L1023-L1026. This sequence is summarised in the table below:

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 Southwest End Channel Deposits 0.73 – 1.14m L1023 Mid grey with moderate black mottling, firm, clayey silt, with no inclusions. Alluvium. 1.14 – 1.29m L1024 Mid grey, cohesive, silt clay, with no inclusions. Alluvium. 0.73 – 1.00m L1025 Mid grey, firm, silt clay, with occasional CBM fragments <50mm. Alluvium. 1.29 – 1.41m L1026 Mid grey-brown, cohesive, clayey silt, with no inclusions. Alluvium. 1.41m+ L1027 Dark grey, firm, slightly silty clay with no inclusions. Cbm fragments (89g) and animal bone (557g) were recovered from this deposit.

5.6.3 The final episode of silting deposits could be seen ‘truncating’ layer L1023 and comprised layers L1019-L1022. The sequence of alluvial deposits silting the possible channel was sealed by the post-medieval deposit L1018.

Southwest End Channel Deposits 0.27 – 0.53m L1018 Mid grey, firm, silty clay. As Above. 0.53 – 0.79m L1008 Mid grey, firm, alluvial silt clay, with moderate angular brick fragments <200mm and charcoal flecks <5mm. 0.79 – 0.82m L1019 Pale grey, soft and friable, silty sand, with no inclusions. Silting deposit. 0.82 – 1.04m L1020 Mid yellow-grey, firm, clayey silt, with no inclusions. 1.04 – 1.07m L1021 Dark yellow mottled grey, firm, clayey silt, with occasional sub-angular CBM fragments <100mm. Alluvium. 1.07 – 1.39m L1022 Pale greyish yellow, cohesive, silty clay, with occasional sub- angular CBM fragments <100mm.

5.6.4 In the centre of the trench underlying made ground L1014, were three localised layers of recent made ground. The earliest of which (L1017) overlay layer L1018 (Fig. 5) and comprised a mid brownish-orange, friable, silty sand, with frequent sub-angular chalk and angular sparse CBM fragments <75mm. Layer L1017 was overlain by L1016, a dark grey, firm, silty clay, with occasional angular CBM fragments <50mm and charcoal flecks <10mm; this deposit was in turn overlain by L1015. Made ground L1015 comprised a layer of pale ‘off’ white, compacted chalk with no inclusions.

6 CONFIDENCE RATING

6.1 It is not felt that any factors inhibited the recognition of archaeological features and finds.

7 DEPOSIT MODEL

7.1 The underlying geology of the site is known to comprise Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay at a depth of approximately 3.0m (below present ground level). Borehole data indicated that that the Kimmeridge Clay was capped by a weathered zone, identified in Trench 4 as L1083.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

7.2 The location of the assessment area on the northern side of the valley of the Bear Brook (which formed the southern boundary of the proposed development area), gave rise to the majority of the deposits recorded during the field evaluation being of alluvial origin.

7.3 Trenches 1 and 3 revealed a natural drift deposit (L1055=L1080) at a depth of 1.04m below present ground levels, running southwards, downhill towards the Bear Brook. This formed a spur of dry land rising from the valley floor towards the focus of medieval settlement in the area of the market square and modern town centre to the north. The natural drift was sealed by a possible medieval buried soil horizon (L1054). Which was in turn overlain by alluvial subsoil (L1036) and as the natural drift fell away into the Bear Brook a deep alluvial deposit L1041.

7.4 Natural fluvial gravels (L1040) were identified in the base of Trenches 2 and 6, those nearest the present course of the Bear Brook. The fluvial gravels were sealed by deep sequences of alluvium, capped by modern made ground and demolition rubble.

7.5 The alluvial sequence in Trench 6 exhibited evidence for several phases of a possible meander or management of the Bear Brook. Here the sequence of medieval and post, medieval alluvial silts overlying the fluvial gravels (L1079, L1030, L1029 and L1028) was cut or eroded by a sequence of post-medieval alluvial silts (L1023-L1027), which were in turn cut or eroded by a second phase of channel silting (L1008 and L1019-L1022).

7.6 The alluvial sequence observed in Trench 5 was capped by significant post-medieval dump deposit of clunch (L1010) and clay (L1011), possible indicating a concerted attempt to infill the Bear Brook channel or manage the channel. This trench also exhibited most significant modern disturbance with the sequence of deposits at the south-eastern end trench being truncated by a large rubbish pit F1012.

8 DISCUSSION

8.1 Summary of the archaeology

8.1.1 The proposed development site lay between the historic cores of Walton and Aylesbury, on low-lying, marginal land on the northern side of the Bear Brook. Marginal land of this type is known to have been exploited for the harvesting of reeds and water fowl since the medieval period (Newton 2006).

8.1.2 The archaeological evaluation did not reveal any evidence of prehistoric, Romano- British, or Saxon activity, or any significant evidence medieval occupation within the immediate area.

8.1.3 Trenches 1 and 3 identified a spur of natural drift (L1055=L1080) sealed by a medieval soil horizon (L1054), although no features were present cutting or sealed by this deposit.

8.1.4 At the north-eastern end of Trench 2 a large, backfilled channel (F1081) was identified on a northwest-southeast alignment. The later fills of this feature (L1061, L1059 and L1064); suggest that it was deliberately backfilled at the prior to being sealed by levelling layer L1057 and the rammed chalk surface L1058.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 8.1.5 Trench 5 revealed a substantial layer of clunch rubble L1010, with occasional CBM inclusions, which over-lay organic alluvial deposits L1031 and L1032. Layer L1010 was overlain at the northern end of the trench by a layer of clay with clunch and tile inclusions (L1011).

8.1.6 The marginal nature of the assessment it in the later post-medieval/modern era was illustrated by a number of intrusive rubbish pits which truncated both the recent layers of made-ground and the underlying alluvial sequences, e.g., Pits F1071 and F1074 in Trench 2, Pits F1043, F1045, F1049 and F1052 in Trench 3 and the largest, pit F1012 in Trench 5.

8.2 Interpretation of the site: archaeology and history

8.2.1 The sequences of alluvial deposits recorded across the site bear witness to the waterlogged and marginal nature of the land flanking the Bear Brook and also indicate why so few archaeological features were present within the archaeological test trenches

8.2.2 The natural drift observed in Trenches 1 and 3 suggest that a spur of dry land may have projected down towards the Bear Brook. This is supported by the survival of a probable medieval soil horizon (L1054) which sealed the natural drift. No features were observed cutting or sealed by layer L1054, which was overlain by the alluvial subsoil L1036 and alluvium L1041. Pottery sherds recovered from L1054 medieval occupation activity in the vicinity of the proposed developments site, likely further upslope, to north nearer the market square and the focus of medieval settlement.

8.2.3 The layers of organic alluvium investigated in Trench 6 (L1029/L1030) are also significant; a single large late medieval pottery sherd and fragments of animal bone were recovered from L1029, and four sherds of later medieval pottery were recovered from L1030, indicating that the channel of the Bear Brook was open and silting up at this time.

8.2.4 The alluvial sequence in Trench 6 also exhibited evidence for several phases of what can be interpreted as either a possible meander of the Bear Brook or post-medieval management of the channel as it silted. The two phases of deposits which cut or eroded the medieval silts (first L1023-L1027 and then L1008 and L1019-L1022) are perhaps more likely to be indicative of natural silting as the channel of the Bear Brook migrated to the west, rather than the silting of a managed channel, especially as no evidence for a timber structure such as a revetment (often found in managed watercourses), was found associated with this sequence of alluvial deposits.

8.2.5 By contrast the large channel recorded at the north-eastern end of Trench 2 (F1081) is likely to represent a managed water course of post-medieval date. The location of this channel at the north-eastern end of the site and its NW-SE alignment that it be related to the construction of the Grand Union Canal, a basin of which lies only 50m to the southeast of F1081 (Fig. 2).

8.2.6 Although there was no evidence for a structure revetting the side of the channel, the deposits silting the channel appeared to clearly lie within a man-made cut (F1081). The basal fill of the channel (L1068) was clearly deposited in an open, free flowing water course, with freshwater snail shells present and course grained sand indicating a higher energy of deposition found with flowing water. The later fills of F1081 (L1061, L1064 and notably L1059) appear to represent the deliberate backfilling of the channel after it went out of use.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 8.2.7 The substantial layer of clunch (L1010) and the overlying clay (L1011) excavated in Trench 5, are likely to represent the deliberate infilling of an open watercourse. Layer L1010, sealed an organic alluvium (L1031) likely to have formed in the base of or at the edge of an open water course. The full extent of later L1010 was unclear from the small area exposed within Trench 5, and it is unknown whether the clunch rubble simply forms the infill of a water course or forms part of a larger structure such as a wharf, or revetment.

8.3 Preservation of archaeology

8.3.1 The location of the site in an area of what would have been margin water-logged land flanking the Bear Brook provided the potential for the preservation of archaeological remains sealed by alluvial deposits or preserved by anaerobic, waterlogged conditions.

8.3.2 All of the trenches exhibited some degree of truncation and disturbance by post- medieval and modern activity on the site. However the majority of the recent made-ground and levelling deposits did not penetrate below 0.60- 0.80m below present ground level, with significant alluvial sequences recorded in all trenches.

8.3.3 Trenches 1 and 3 were excavated across a spur formed by natural drift deposit (L1055=L1080) at a depth of 1.04m below present ground levels. running southwards, downhill towards the Bear Brook. The natural drift was overlain by a possible medieval buried soil horizon (L1054), which was sealed beneath alluvial layers L1036 and L1041. No archaeological features were present either cutting soil horizon L1054 or sealed by it.

8.3.4 The layer of organic alluvium investigated in Trench 6 (L1030) contained medieval pot sherds and fragments of animal bone, clearly indicating a potential for the preservation of medieval artefactual material within the lower alluvial sequences adjacent to Bear Brook.

8.5 Research potential

8.5.1 The trial trench evaluation carried out at the former Bucks Herald site fulfilled the aims and objectives set out in both the Brief (BCAS 19/01/2006) and Specification AS (dated 30/01/2006), in that it located, characterised and dated archaeological remains relating to the medieval and post-medieval periods, for which a potential was identified within the assessment area.

8.5.2 The field evaluation revealed sparse archaeological remains, with no evidence for activity predating the medieval period, confirming that the assessment site is likely to have remained marginal, waterlogged land between the two settlement centres of Aylesbury and Walton.

8.5.3 The main potential for the results of the evaluation lie in the deposit model for the proposed development site and the evidence for the natural silting and post-medieval management of the Bear Brook as evidenced in Trenches 2, and 6.

8.5.4 The spur of dry land overlying the natural drift deposits in Trenches 1 and 3 and the medieval soil horizon which seals them (L1054) is also significant in that the survival of a buried soil horizon at the edge of the Bear Brook valley raises the potential for occupation activity in the vicinity of the site, despite no features being present either cutting or sealed by L1054.

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 8.5.5 Study of the environmental samples recovered from the alluvial sequences on the site will enhance the current model for the past environments, land use and development of the proposed development site.

9 ARCHIVE DEPOSITION

9.1 Archive records, with an inventory, will be deposited with the finds from the site, at the Buckinghamshire County Museum. The archive will be quantified, ordered, indexed, cross- referenced and checked for internal consistency. In addition to the overall site summary, it will be necessary to produce a summary of the artefactual and ecofactual data.

10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Archaeological Solutions Limited would like to thank Aylesbury Vale District Council for commissioning and funding this evaluation (in particular Mr Terry Newton for his kind assistance).

AS also gratefully acknowledges the assistance and input of David Radford of the Buckinghamshire County Archaeological Service.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, N & Glazebrook, J (eds.) 2000 Research and Archaeology: a framework for the eastern counties, 2. research agenda and strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper no. 8

Ekwall, E 1936 The concise dictionary of English place-names. Oxford University Press

Glazebrook, J (ed.) 1997 Research and Archaeology: a framework for the eastern counties, 1. resource assessment. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper no. 3

Gurney 2003 Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper no. 14

Institute of Field Archaeologists 1994 (revised 2001) Standard and guidance for archaeological desk-based assessment

Institute of Field Archaeologists 1994 (revised 1999) Standard and guidance for archaeological evaluation

Newton A 2006 Bucks Herald and Wilkins Solicitors site, Aylesbury, Bucks; A Desk-base Assessment. Archaeological Solutions Ltd Report 1995

SSEW 1983 Soil Survey of England and Wales. Soils of South East England Rothamsted Experimental Station/Lawes Agricultural Trust, Harpenden

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

APPENDIX 1 CONCORDANCE OF FINDS

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

APPENDIX 2 SPECIALIST FINDS REPORTS

AS 996: Buckinghamshire Herald Site Peter Thompson

The evaluation recovered 22 sherds weighing 583g. The sherds are generally in good condition and mainly medieval in date with a possible Saxon sherd. However, several sherds can be seen to be residual and if in the presence of levelling layers it is possible other sherds might also be re-deposited.

L1009 contained a single sherd in good condition with mid grey core and pale orange surfaces, there is a slight boss on the outside surface and the sherd is possibly Saxon.The fabric is quite hard and relatively well-fired suggesting a late date although the bossing could be associated with funerary vessels used in the Early and Middle Saxon date.

L1054 contained potentially some of the earliest pottery comprising a dark brown gritty base sherd and 3 sherds in medieval shelly ware with oxidised surface. An unusual simple, fairly upright rim sherd with profuse grog and gritty sand temper is also present. It is probably early medieval but it is possible it could be residual late Iron Age. These appeared with 3 sherds in buff or oxidised fabrics, possibly early Brill/Boarstal wares. A date of 11th to 13th centuries would be suitable for these sherds.

L1036 also contained a single body sherd of medieval shelly ware c.11th-13th centuries. However it is re-deposited featuring with glass and clay pipe.

L1042 contained thick sandy sherds, mainly off the same large vessel with brown cores and black surfaces of medieval date c.13th-14th/15th centuries date.

L1029 contained a thick jar sherd in Brim fabric

L1067 contained a glazed sherd and flat (but warped) base, probably from a jug, with green glaze splashes beneath in off white Brill or Boarstal fabrics. These are wheel-made and appear late medieval in date c.mid 14th-15th but the presence of clay pipe suggests they are residual although the sherds are in good condition.

L1010 contained a squared rim sherd from a jar in sandy greyware of High to Late medieval date, this is slightly abraded and is residual as it appears beside a large bowl sherd approximately 32 cm in diameter in Glazed Post-medieval Red Earthenware.It has a glossy clear/brown glaze and thumb decoration below the outside rim; possibly it is a Dutch import. It is probably 17th century.

Feature Context Quantity Date Comment 1009 1x11g sandy ?Saxon 1010 1x191g PMRE 16th-17th Medieval 1x20g greyware jar rim Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

© Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2006 1x42g B Mat 1029 1x37g BRIM 13th-15th 1036 1x19g shelly 11th-13th* *residual 1041 7x173g sandy 13th-15th 1054 1x4g grog 11th-13th 1x32g gritty 3x16g sandy 3x22g shelly 1081 1067 2x58g BRIM 14th-16th* *Good condition but prob residual

Bucks Herald & Wilkins Solicitors Site, Aylesbury, Bucks

COLOUR PLATES

Plate 1 Northeast end of Trench 1 (Sect. 7). View to the NW

Plate 2 Trench 2 with backfilled channel F1081 to the right. View to the W.

Plate 3 Northwest end of Trench 3 (Sect. 6c). View to the NE

Plate 4 Northeast end of Trench 4 (Fig. 5). View to the NW

Plate 5 General view of Trench 5, to the NW, dump layer L1011 at the top of the picture

Plate 6 Dumped clunch rubble L1010 in Trench 5 (Sect. 4). View to the SE.

Plate 7 Sequence of channel silting deposits at the southwest end of Trench 6 (Fig. 5). View to the NW.

SITE

A41 Aylesbury

Site

A413 Princes Risborough 0 10km

Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map with the permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Archaeological Solutions Ltd Office.Ó Crown copyright Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 1 Site Location Plan Licence number 100036680 Scale 1:25000 N

SP 821

SP 136

SITE

0 1:2000 100m

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission Archaeological Solutions Ltd of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.Ó Crown copyright Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 2 Detailed Site Location Licence number 100036680 Scale 1:2000