Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre) Hollybush Lane Burghfield Common West Berkshire Archaeological Evaluation

Home , Ufton Nervet

for Henry Davidson Developments Ltd

CA Project: 3538 CA Report: 11255

February 2012

Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre) Hollybush Lane Burghfield Common West Berkshire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 3538 CA Report: 11255

prepared by Steven Sheldon, Project Supervisor

date 17 February 2012

checked by Laurent Coleman, Project Manager

date 17 February 2012

approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

signed

date 17 February 2012

issue 05

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.

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ t. 01285 771022 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) ...... 7

3. DISCUSSION...... 8

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 9

5. REFERENCES ...... 9

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 11 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 13

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing archaeological features and geophysical survey results (1:1000) Fig. 3 Trench 8: plan sections and photographs

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre) Location: Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire NGR: SU 6451 6660 Type: Evaluation Date: 13-15 October 2011 Location of Archive: To be deposited with West Berkshire Museum Accession Number: NEBYM: 2011.39 Site Code: FFB11

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October 2011 at Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre), Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire. A total of eight trenches, some of which were targeted on anomalies identified by an earlier geophysical survey, was excavated.

A small number of undated pits/postholes were identified in Trenches 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. A shallow, undated ditch terminal was also identified in Trench 8. No further features of archaeological interest were identified.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In October 2011 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Henry Davidson Developments Ltd at Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre), Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire (centred on NGR: SU 6438 6650; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany a detailed planning application for the development of the Village Centre. The application area for the Village Centre is outlined with a red line on Figure 2.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2011) and approved by Duncan Coe, Archaeological Officer, West Berkshire Council. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation (IfA 2008), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006). It was monitored by Mr Coe, including a site visit on 14 October 2011.

The site 1.3 The site covers approximately 7.74ha of agricultural land and plantation to the east of Firlands Farm which is located to the west of Burghfield Common. The site consists of a mixture of enclosed pastoral fields and plantation associated with Firlands Farm. The northern boundary of the site lies adjacent to The Bolt Hole. The eastern boundary of the site runs adjacent to Hollybush Lane and residential development, while the southern boundary runs adjacent to a group of sports fields. Further agricultural land and plantation associated with Firlands Farm lies to the west of the site.

1.4 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as London Clay of the Eocene era, overlain by sand and gravel of the Silchester Gravel member of the Anglian period (BGS 2011). The natural substrate identified during the evaluation comprised orange brown clay in the larger field to the north-west and grey brown clay with abundant gravel patches in the smaller field to the south-east.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

Archaeological background 1.5 The nature and extent of the cultural heritage resource within the site (and an area to the west) and the immediate vicinity has been explored within an Archaeological Appraisal (CA 2010). This is summarised as follows:

Prehistoric (pre AD 43) 1.6 There are no recorded prehistoric features or findspots within the site. From the wider vicinity of the site two unstratified Mesolithic hand axes have been located, one c. 400m north-west of the site, and the second c. 300m to the east.

1.7 The Bronze Age round barrow at Ufton Nervet, 400m west of the site, is a Scheduled Monument. Immediately to the south of this barrow a ring ditch, first identified by aerial photography, was confirmed during topsoil stripping of Poor’s Allotment prior to mineral extraction. Although there were no associated finds, the morphology of this monument suggests a Bronze Age date. A further badly damaged barrow was identified during an evaluation on the same site in 1987 (OAU 1987). The barrow remained undated but probably dates to the Bronze Age also.

1.8 A ring ditch was also recorded c. 400m north of the site during topsoil stripping in 1974 at Amey’s Gravel Pit (BAU 1977). The ditch contained flints and dark organic material, but was in a poor state of preservation, and not securely dated.

1.9 Two further undated, but probably prehistoric, round barrows were identified close to Gibbet Piece in the 1930s, c. 800m south-west of the site. This location is now within plantation. The HER suggests that these barrows may be outliers of the Holden’s Fir barrow cemetery c. 1km to the south of the site.

Roman (AD 43 – c. AD 410) 1.10 The Roman road from Dorchester-on-Thames to Silchester (the latter lies approximately 5km to the south of the site) is recorded c. 800m to the south-west of the site as an earthwork. A further possible stretch of Roman road, on a different alignment, was noted at Ufton Nervet in the 19th century as a faint earthwork bounded by ditches.

Early Medieval (AD 410 – 1066) and Medieval (1066 – 1539) 1.11 There are no confirmed medieval features within the site or its vicinity. However, there are several undated earthwork features within the vicinity of the site. These

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

large linear banks are often interpreted as territorial boundaries, and although not closely dated, are traditionally assigned an early medieval origin. Grim’s Bank is the most prominent of these earthworks, with a 275m stretch of bank surviving in Church Plantation, and further 510m stretch surviving to the south-west in Pennsylvania Woods. O’Neil’s (1943, 194) interpretation that these earthworks formed late/post Roman frontier barriers typifies the traditional view towards large linear earthworks. However, this type of monument is notoriously difficult to date and pollen evidence has suggested that parts of Grim’s Bank may be late prehistoric or early Roman in date (Astill 1980, 64).

1.12 Following topsoil stripping in 1974 at Amey’s Gravel Pit, three small ditches were identified, which were associated with medieval pottery (BAU 1977).

Post Medieval (1540 – 1800) and Modern (1801 – present) 1.13 There are no listed buildings within the site. Crofters Cottage, dating to the 17th century, is Grade II listed and lies c. 200m to the north of the site. Two farmsteads are recorded by the HER in the vicinity of the site. Benham’s Farm lies c. 200m to the north of the site and Island Farm lies c. 350m to the south-west of the site. Both are recorded on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map which also depicts the site as a mixture of agricultural land and plantation. Firlands Farm is not recorded on the map but a small structure is recorded at its approximate location. The West Berkshire Historic Landscape Characterisation defines the majority of the site as surviving or former Parliamentary enclosure, with modern usage as parks/sports fields, plantation, construction or re-organisation of the fields.

Undated 1.14 In the north-western part of the site a cropmark of an undated sub-rectangular enclosure is recorded from aerial photographs by the West Berkshire HER. The HER entry suggests that although undated, the form of the cropmark suggests that it may possibly be of prehistoric origin. Archaeological investigations (TVAS 2001) to the north of the site, including geophysical survey and 14 trial trenches, did not identify any significant archaeological features. Two undated linear earthworks are identified within the vicinity of the site lying to the west at Park Piece and Roundoak Piece. It is possible that these features may be associated with Grim’s Bank.

1.15 A geophysical survey of the site (and an area to the west) was undertaken in July 2011. It identified a number of anomalies of possible archaeological origin. A small

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

number of possible features such as pits, ditches and earthworks were identified. Several possible thermoremanent anomalies possibly related to former kilns or hearths were also identified to the north-west of the site and a similar anomaly was identified close to the south-eastern boundary of the site. There was no evidence of the enclosure recorded on aerial photographs although it may have been masked by magnetic disturbance (Stratascan 2011).

Archaeological objectives 1.16 The objectives of the evaluation were to establish the character, quality, date and extent of any archaeological remains or deposits surviving within the site. This information will assist West Berkshire Council in making an informed judgement on the significance of the archaeological resource, and the likely impact upon it of the proposed development.

Methodology 1.17 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of eight trenches, each measuring 50m in length and 1.8m in width, in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). Trenches 6 and 7 were moved slightly due to their proximity to trees, with the approval of Mr Coe. A short north-west/south-east orientated extension was added to the south-western end of Trench 7 to further investigate an anomaly shown by the preceding geophysical survey. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using a Leica 1200 series SmartRover GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2009).

1.18 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 (2007).

1.19 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 (2003). No deposits were identified that required sampling. No artefacts were recovered during the course of the evaluation.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

1.20 The archive from the evaluation is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble and will be deposited with West Berkshire Museum under accession number NEBYM: 2011.39. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts are to be found in Appendix A.

2.2 The natural geological substrate identified in the north-western field comprised orange brown clay. This was overlain by between 0.24m and 0.3m of clayey silt ploughsoil. In the smaller field to the south-east, the natural geology comprised grey brown clay with abundant gravel patches. This was overlain by between 0.27m and 0.36m of clayey silt ploughsoil.

2.3 A small number of undated pits/postholes were identified in Trenches 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. A shallow, undated ditch terminal was also identified in Trench 8. A number of undated, irregular and highly ephemeral features were identified in Trenches 5-8; after investigation these features were determined to be the result of either root action or natural processes. An area of rooting was also identified at the south- eastern end of Trench 6 and this appeared to correlate with an anomaly depicted by the geophysical survey. No evidence of the possible kiln or hearth identified by the preceding geophysical survey was identified in Trench 7. No evidence of the enclosure recorded on aerial photographs in the north-western part of the site was identified in Trench 4. Former hedgelines were identified in Trenches 2 and 3.

Trench 1 (Fig 2) 2.4 Shallow undated pit 103 was exposed towards the north-western end of the trench. It contained a single charcoal rich fill, 102. It was cut by circular pit 106 which contained two undated fills, 104 and 105.

Trench 2 (Fig 2) 2.5 Small pit/posthole 203 was partially exposed near the centre of the trench. It contained a single undated fill, 202.

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

2.6 Shallow linear feature 205 was identified at the north-west end of the trench. It was highly irregular in profile and was interpreted as the remains of a former hedgeline.

Trench 3 (Fig 2) 2.7 Shallow pit 305 was exposed towards the centre of the trench. It contained a single undated fill, 304. It was cut by circular pit 303 which contained single undated fill, 302. To the south-east shallow linear feature 306 was identified. It was highly irregular in profile and was interpreted as the remains of a former hedgeline.

Trench 5 (Fig 2) 2.8 Probable irregular pit 507 was identified towards the centre of the trench. It contained a single undated fill, 506 and correlated with part of an anomaly identified during the geophysical survey. To the south-east, pit 505 was revealed. It had a regular U-shaped profile and contained a single undated fill, 504.

Trench 8 (Figs 2 and 3) 2.9 North-south orientated ditch terminal 803 was located towards the south-western end of the trench. It had a shallow U-shaped profile and contained a single undated fill, 802.

2.10 To the north-east, two small pits/postholes, 805 and 809, were exposed. Both were roughly circular in plan and contained single undated fills.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The evaluation has identified a small number of undated archaeological features within the proposed development area. These features were confined to Trenches 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 and in the main comprised small isolated pits/postholes. A narrow shallow ditch terminal was also identified in Trench 8.

3.2 It is possible that the pits/postholes identified during the evaluation may be of prehistoric date and may represent a low level of prehistoric activity associated with that identified in the vicinity of the site (CA 2010).

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3.3 Where archaeological features were encountered there was a poor correlation with the results of the preceding geophysical survey that had suggested the presence of pits, ditches and thermoremanent anomalies possibly related to former kilns or hearths (Stratascan 2011). Within Trench 5, a single exposed feature partly corresponded with an anomaly recorded during the geophysical survey. However, the majority of possible and probable archaeological anomalies identified by the geophysical survey were not identified during the evaluation (e.g. within Trenches 4, 6 and 8). No evidence of the possible kiln or hearth depicted by the geophysical survey was identified in Trench 7. A number of later features (for example a former hedgeline in Trench 2 and furrows in Trench 6) were identified during the geophysical survey and were subsequently identified within the evaluation trenches. There were no obvious reasons why these more recent features were detected by the geophysical survey and the potentially older features were not.

3.4 No evidence of the possible sub-rectangular enclosure, shown as a cropmark on aerial photographs in the north-western part of the site, was identified in Trench 4.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Steven Sheldon, assisted by Daniel Sausins and Hazel O’Neill. The report was written by Steven Sheldon. The illustrations were prepared by Jon Bennett. The archive has been compiled by Steven Sheldon, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Laurent Coleman.

5. REFERENCES

Astill, G. G. 1980 ‘Excavations at Grim’s Bank, Aldermaston, 1978’, in The Berkshire Archaeological Journal, 70, 57-65.

BAU 1977 Gravel Report Form – Sulhamstead Abbots 20 May 1977

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2011 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html accessed 18 August 2011

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre): Archaeological Evaluation

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010 Land at Firlands Farm, Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire: Archaeological Appraisal, CA typescript report No. 10047

Stratascan 2011 Geophysical Report: Burghfield Common, West Berkshire, Stratascan job No J2918

OAU 1987 Poor’s Allotment, Ufton Nervet, Berkshire: Archaeological Assessment

O’Neil, B. H. St. J.1943 ‘Grim's Bank, Padworth, Berkshire’, Antiquity, 17, 188-195.

TVAS 2001 Land at Benham’s Farm, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire: an Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 100 Layer Topsoil 0.3 101 Layer Natural substrate >0.1 102 Fill Single Fill of 103 0.66 0.09 103 Cut Pit 0.66 0.09 104 Fill 2nd fill of 106 1.06 0.26 105 Fill 1st fill of 106 0.65 0.23 106 Cut Circular pit 1.06 0.49 107 Fill Single fill of 108 3 0.6 0.06 108 Cut Modern disturbance 3 0.6 0.06

Trench 2 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 200 Layer Topsoil 0.29 201 Layer Natural substrate >0.1 202 Fill Single fill of 203 0.37 0.16 203 Cut Pit/posthole 0.37 0.16 204 Fill Single fill of 205 >1.8 1.2 0.05 205 Cut Root disturbance/former hedgerow >1.8 1.2 0.05

Trench 3 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 300 Layer Topsoil 0.28 301 Layer Natural substrate >0.1 302 Fill Single fill 303 1.03 0.22 303 Cut Circular pit 1.03 0.22 304 Fill Single fill of 305 0.66 0.08 305 Cut Circular pit 0.66 0.08 306 Deposit Geological feature 0.7 0.16

Trench 4 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 400 Layer Topsoil 0.28 401 Layer Natural substrate >0.2

Trench 5 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 500 Layer Topsoil 0.24 501 Layer Natural substrate >0.24 502 Fill Single fill of 503 1.38 0.26 503 Cut Irregular pit/treethrow 1.38 0.26 504 Fill Single fill of 505 0.56 N/A 505 Cut Circular pit 0.56 N/A 506 Fill Single fill of 507 1.06 0.19 507 Cut Irregular pit/treethrow 1.06 0.19 508 Fill Single fill of 509 0.76 N/A

509 Cut Irregular pit/treethrow 0.76 N/A

Trench 6 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 600 Layer Topsoil 0.27 601 Layer Natural substrate >0.11 602 Fill Single of 603 0.5 >1.8 603 Cut Land drain 0.5 >1.8 604 Fill Single of 605 0.5 >1.8 605 Cut Land drain 0.5 >1.8 606 Fill Single of 607 0.5 >1.8 607 Cut Land drain 0.5 >1.8 608 Fill Single fill of 609 >2.1 0.38 N/A 609 Cut Treethrow >2.1 0.38 N/A 610 Fill Single fill of 611 0.4 0.4 0.15 611 Cut Treethrow 0.4 0.4 0.15

Trench 7 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 700 Layer Topsoil 0.35 701 Layer Natural substrate >0.25 702 Fill Single fill of 703 >1.8 0.3 N/A 703 Cut Land drain >1.8 0.3 N/A 704 Fill Single fill of 705 >1.8 0.3 N/A 705 Cut Land drain >1.8 0.3 N/A 706 Fill Single fill of 707 1 0.9 0.25 707 Cut Treethrow 1 0.9 0.25

Trench 8 No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 800 Layer Topsoil 0.36 801 Layer Natural substrate >0.02 802 Fill Single fill of 803 >2.1 0.49 0.16 803 Cut N/S ditch terminal >2.1 0.49 0.16 804 Fill Single fill of 805 0.46 0.06 805 Cut Pit/posthole 0.46 0.06 806 Fill Single fill of 807 >1.8 0.33 0.3 807 Cut Land drain >1.8 0.33 0.3 808 Fill Single fill of 809 0.3 0.11 809 Cut Pit/posthole 0.3 0.11 810 Fill Single fill of 811 >1.8 0.33 0.3 811 Cut Land drain >1.8 0.33 0.3 812 Fill Single fill of 813 1.4 0.46 0.19 813 Cut Treethrow 1.4 0.46 0.19

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre), Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October 2011 at Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre), Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire. A total of eight trenches, some of which were targeted on anomalies identified by an earlier geophysical survey, was excavated.

Project dates 13-15 October 2011 Project type Field Evaluation Previous work Archaeological Appraisal, CA 2010 Geophysical Survey, Stratscan 2011 Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre), Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire Study area (M2/ha) 7.74ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SU 6451 6660 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Laurent Coleman Project Supervisor Steven Sheldon SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (museum/Accession no.)

Physical West Berkshire Museum None NEBYM: 2011.39 Paper West Berkshire Museum Context sheets, trench NEBYM: 2011.39 recording forms, plan and section drawings, black and white photographs Digital West Berkshire Museum Digital photographs NEBYM: 2011.39 BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Land at Firlands Farm (Village Centre), Hollybush, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 11255

13 see fig. 2

N t 01285 771022 Cotswold f 01285 771033 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

WEST Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre) Hollybush BERKSHIRE Village Centre Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire

application area FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 1998 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 3538 DATE 25-10-2011 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

Trench 8, plan

ditch pit/posthole treethrow 803 805 813 A B C

A B C pit/posthole 809 0 10m

Trench 8, section AA Trench 8, section BB Trench 8, section CC

E W NSNW SE 95.9m 95.9m 802 804 95.9m AOD AOD AOD 808 pit/posthole ditch 805 pit/posthole 803 809

01m modern

pit 809

t 01285 771022 Cotswold f 01285 771033 Trench 8, pit/posthole, looking north-east (scale 0.2m) Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk ditch 803 e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE Land at Firlands Farm (Local Centre), Hollybush Trench 8, ditch 803, looking south (scale 1m) Lane, Burghfield Common, West Berkshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 8: plan, sections and photographs

PROJECT NO. 3538 DATE 27-10-2011 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY JB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:200 and 1:20 3