Land at Castlethorpe Road
Hanslope Milton Keynes
Archaeological Evaluation
for Triskelion Heritage
on behalf of Bloor Homes
CA Project: 661019 CA Report: 17737
January 2017
Land at Castlethorpe Road Hanslope Milton Keynes
Archaeological Evaluation
CA Project: 661019 CA Report: 17737
Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 06/12/17 RSB, AKM SRJ Interim QA SRJ Draft B 04/01/2018 SRJ SRJ Draft for Full report SRJ Consultant
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
© Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5
2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 6
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 8
4. METHODOLOGY ...... 8
5. RESULTS (FIGS 2 - 14) ...... 9
6. THE FINDS ...... 19
7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ...... 21
8. DISCUSSION ...... 25
9. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 29
10. REFERENCES ...... 30
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 32 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 43 APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 45 APPENDIX D: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS...... 47 APPENDIX E: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 48
1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing archaeological features, geophysical survey results and registered artefacts (1:1,500) Fig. 3 Site, looking north-east (photograph) Fig. 4 Site, looking north-west (photograph) Fig. 5 Extract of the 1779 Watts Estate Map of Hanslope Fig. 6 Extract from the 1881 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map Fig. 7 Trench 1: section and photograph (1:20) Fig. 8 Trench 4: sections and photographs (1:20) Fig. 9 Trench 14: ditch 1405, looking south-east (photograph) Fig. 10 Trench 19: ditch 1903, looking south-east (photograph) Fig. 11 Trench 21: walls 2104 and 2017, looking south-west (photograph) Fig. 12 Trench 29: section and photographs (1:20) Fig. 13 Trench 39 (photograph) Fig. 14 Trench location plan, showing projected alignments (1:1,500)
2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
Summary
Project Name: Land at Castlethorpe Road Location: Hanslope, Milton Keynes NGR: 479895 246880 Type: Evaluation Date: 20 November to 5 December 2017 Planning Reference: Milton Keynes Council 16/02106/OUT Location of Archive: To be deposited with Buckinghamshire County Museum Site Code: CAST 17
Between November and December 2017, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes. The evaluation was undertaken to inform an outline application to Milton Keynes Council for residential development of up to 150 dwellings, an estate road, open space and associated works. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 42 trenches.
Archaeological interest in the site is derived from its location within the historic settlement of Hanslope, which has pre-Norman origins. The Milton Keynes Historic Environment Record records an extensive scatter of medieval finds across the site, with a concentration of finds within the north-western area.
A previous geophysical survey identified a number of linear anomalies indicative of field boundaries, some of which correspond with boundaries marked on historic mapping.
The evaluation identified a concentration of archaeological remains within the northern part of the site, with a lower density of archaeological remains within the remainder of the site. Archaeological features encountered comprised ditches, pits and walls, provisionally dated between the Middle Iron Age and the post-medieval periods, although a number of features could not be attributed to any of the identified periods.
Where archaeological features were encountered during the current trenching there was generally a good correlation with the results of the geophysical survey, although some of the identified features were not predicted by the geophysical survey.
3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
Early prehistoric activity is limited to a single flake of residual lithic material. Although not closely dateable, it is probably attributable to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age period.
The earliest features encountered comprised ditches containing pottery dating broadly to the Iron Age period, concentrated within the northern-central part of the site.
Roman pottery, most likely residual within later ditches was also recorded.
A single pit and a midden, both containing pottery of probable medieval date were identified within the northern part of the site. Further presumed evidence of medieval activity comprised the flanking ditches of a possible trackway identified within the northern part of the site. The trackway appears to lead to, and from, the settlement identified at Green End to the west. The character of the archaeology found in the northern part of the site is characteristic of the periphery of rural settlement during the medieval period.
The evaluation identified ditches and agricultural features across the site. The alignments of the ditches aligned broadly north-east/south-west and north-west/south-east suggest a common field system, although dating and cartographic evidence suggests remodelling over time and indicate that not all the elements were extant during the same phases of activity. Based on the finds and cartographic evidence as well as morphological characteristics elements of the field systems clearly have their origins within the medieval period, with subsequent post-medieval/modern additions and remodelling.
The remains of a stone building, which appears on the 1779 Watts Estate map, were identified in the northern part of the site. Part of a trackway was also recorded near to the southern boundary of the site, which contained artefactual evidence dating from the post- medieval period.
An undated ditch, which could not be attributed to either the identified Iron Age or medieval/post-medieval activity was identified within the western part of the site.
4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Between November and December 2017, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes (centred at NGR: 479895 246880; Fig. 1). The fieldwork was commissioned by Triskelion Heritage on behalf of Bloor Homes.
1.2 The evaluation was undertaken to inform an outline application (ref: no. 16/02106/OUT) to Milton Keynes Council (MKC; the local planning authority) for residential development of up to 150 dwellings, an estate road, open space and associated works. The scope of the archaeological work, which comprised the excavation of 42 trial trenches, was defined during discussions between Gerry Wait, Triskelion Heritage, and Nick Crank, Senior Archaeological Officer, Milton Keynes Council (SAOMKC; Milton Keynes Council’s archaeological advisor).
1.3 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2017) and approved by Nick Crank. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). It was monitored by Nick Crank, including a site visit on 28 November 2017.
The site 1.4 The proposed development site measures approximately 10ha in area and is situated on the western extent of the village of Hanslope (Fig. 2). It comprises a single field, crossed by a number of public footpaths (Figs 3 and 4). It is bounded to the north and west by agricultural land, to the east by residential development and to the south by the route of Castlethorpe Road and residential properties and their associated gardens. The site lies at approximately 115m AOD in the east with the ground sloping downwards to 100m AOD in the west.
1.5 The solid geology of the site comprises Blisworth Clay Formation, mudstone of the Jurassic period. This is overlain by superficial Quaternary deposits of Oadby Member Diamicton (BGS 2017). A consistent underlying geology of firm light yellow grey sandy clay, with frequent chalk flecks and occasional angular flint inclusions was observed in each trench.
5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
2.1 The archaeological and historical background of the site was summarised in a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) produced by Cotswold Archaeology (2016). The following section is summarised from this source.
2.2 In addition, a geophysical survey of the site was undertaken, which revealed several former field boundaries marked on historic mapping and responses of natural origin. Several uncertain linear trends are probably due to natural or agricultural causes (Sumo 2017).
Prehistoric period (pre-AD 43) and Roman period (AD 43 – AD 410) 2.3 The earliest prehistoric activity to occur within the site dates to the Iron Age, including an unknown Iron Age find spot (known from HER documents) donated to Buckinghamshire County Museum in 1911, as well as a further find of Iron Age date which was recorded c. 100m to the north of the site. An enclosure, measuring 25m by 20m is recorded on aerial photography approximately 800m to the south-west of the site.
2.4 Three artefacts of Roman date including a buckle plate, brooch and a coin have been recorded within the site.
2.5 A cropmark visible on aerial photography, located c. 700m to the south-east of the site, consists of four or five enclosures which are connected by an associated linear ditch which follows an irregular course running south-west to north-east. Two enclosures are conjoined at the south-western end of the ditch and another pair is attached at the north-eastern end. This feature is undated but the enclosures and ditch are overlain by cropmarks which are indicative of ridge and furrow cultivation. This suggests they pre-date the medieval period, and on morphological grounds are considered to be of later Prehistoric to Roman date.
Early medieval period (AD 410–1066) and medieval period (1066–1539) 2.6 The settlement of Hanslope (Hammescle) is recorded by the Domesday Book and was part of the Hundred of Bunsty. The place name of Hammescle means ‘a slope or area belonging to Hama’ (Green 2011) and the site is located on a slight slope which gently decreases to the north. The settlement appears at this time to be quite substantial and is recorded as a ‘very large’ settlement consisting of 55 households.
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The settlement also contained 26 ploughlands, 2 lord’s plough teams, 18 men’s plough teams, 11 ploughs of meadow, woodland for 1000 pigs and a mill.
2.7 The MKHER records an extensive scatter of medieval finds within the site, which were discovered through metal detecting undertaken between 2003 and 2004. This scatter of medieval finds comprises 19 coins, five buckles, one brooch, a copper alloy mount and a possible plague cross. The scatter appears to be of greater density within the north-western area of the site and findspots of medieval date have also been recorded to the west of the site in the vicinity of Cuckoo Hill Farm.
2.8 A medieval settlement known as Green End is recorded just to the north-west of the site. Historic Cartographic sources, including the Watts Estate Map of 1779, depict a small settlement called Green End approximately 50m to the east of the site (Fig. 5). The settlement at Green End is recorded in the Easter Book of Hanslope, dating to 1616, as consisting of 24 households but the settlement appears to have shrunk by 1779 where the Watts Estate Map depicts eight houses. The HER records a number of features at Green End Farm relating to the medieval settlement of Green End, including a now demolished 16th-century mansion house, fishponds, a moat and pottery. Unstratified brick and tile recorded within plough soil in the vicinity of Green End Farm is suggested to be debris from the remains of former medieval houses and structures in the vicinity. Before the demolition of Green End farmhouse in 1954 house platforms and a street line were documented as having been preserved adjacent to the farmhouse (Fig. 6). The area has undergone extensive levelling and demolition since 1978 and there are no remaining earthworks relating to the medieval occupation of Green End. The mansion and settlement at Green End were connected to the core settlement of Hanslope village by a trackway, depicted on the Hanslope Estate Map as ‘Green Lane’.
2.9 Given that the settlement is documented as having shrunk in size and the evident density of medieval artefacts recorded within the site, it is possible that at its greatest extent the medieval settlement of Green End may have extended into the north-western area of the site. A field boundary marked within the site on the Watts Estate Map shows a sinuous, reversed ‘S’ shape and measuring approximately 100m in length, fits with the typical morphology of a medieval furlong. The presence of this boundary suggests that the central and eastern parts of the site were
7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
originally part of the medieval open field system, creating an agricultural hinterland between Green End and the village of Hanslope, and thus any medieval settlement extending within the site is likely to be restricted to the north-western corner.
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
3.1 The objectives of the evaluation, as stated within the WSI (CA 2017), 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 with Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). This information will enable Milton Keynes Council 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 National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).
4. METHODOLOGY
4.1 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 42 trenches, each measuring 50m in length and 1.8m wide, in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). 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 and were sampled and processed. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation.
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4.4 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Buckinghamshire County Museum, along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix E, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.
5. RESULTS (FIGS 2 - 14)
5.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts, finds and environmental samples (palaeoenvironmental evidence) are to be found in Appendices A, B and C respectively.
General stratigraphy 5.2 A broadly similar stratigraphic sequence was encountered within each of the trenches. The natural geological substrate, which consisted of firm, light yellow grey sandy clay with chalk flecks and occasional angular flint inclusions, was encountered at depths of between approximately 0.5m and 0.8m below the present ground level. This was overlain by subsoil, comprising soft mid orange brown clay silt with occasional small sub-angular stone inclusions, which measured between 0.13m and 0.5m thick. The subsoil was in turn sealed by plough soil, consisting of friable dark brown grey silty loam with occasional small rounded stone inclusions and measuring on average 0.3m thick. A table of trench depths, including thickness of topsoil and subsoil, is contained within Appendix D.
5.3 No archaeological features or deposits were revealed in Trenches 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 27, 31-33, 36-38 and 40-42. A broad natural channel, measuring approximately 15m wide was identified towards the northern part of the site (Trenches 6 and 29).
Trench 1 (Figs 2 and 7) 5.4 Ditch 103 was located centrally within Trench 1. It was orientated north-east/south- west and measured 0.72m wide and 0.58m deep, with moderately sloping sides and a symmetrical profile. A modern extruded ceramic field drain had been placed at the base of the cut, suggesting the feature had been excavated to contain the drain. It contained a single mid grey brown silty clay fill (104), which had been deliberately backfilled, soon after excavation.
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5.5 This feature corresponded with a feint anomaly identified from the geophysical survey.
5.6 North-east/south-west orientated ditch 105 was located centrally within the trench (Fig. 7; section AA). It measured 2.72m wide and 0.72m deep, with moderately sloping stepped sides and an uneven base, most likely the result of root action. No finds were recovered from its single heavily bio-turbated silty clay fill, which was naturally deposited by gradual silting processes.
Trench 4 (Fig 2 and 8) 5.7 The stratigraphically earliest feature encountered within the trench was north- west/south-east orientated ditch 409. The uppermost fill (410) comprised mid yellow brown silty clay, from which surface finds of animal bone were recovered.
5.8 Located approximately 5m to the east was parallel ditch 413. It measured 0.68m wide, 0.2m deep, with moderately sloping even sides and a concave base. A total of two cattle bones was recovered from its silty clay fill (414).
5.9 Ditches 409 and 413 corresponded to north-west/south-east orientated geophysical anomalies and may represent flanking ditches, delineating a trackway.
5.10 Located between ditches 409 and 413, pit 411 was partially revealed extending from the northern baulk of the trench. It had steeply sloping, even sides, with a flat base. A total of 30 sherds of 12th to 14th-century pottery, as well as eight fragments of animal bone, including pig and burnt bone unidentifiable to species, were recovered from its single silty clay fill (412); which also contained occasional flecks of charcoal. A soil sample (sample 2) recovered from fill 412 contained a moderate assemblage of charred plant remains.
5.11 Partially overlying ditch 409 was dark grey brown silty clay deposit 406 (Fig. 8; section BB). It contained 150 sherds of pottery, dating from the 12th to 14th centuries, as well as frequent charcoal, 80 fragments of animal bone, fired clay and residual pottery dating from the prehistoric and Roman periods. A high number of charred remains were recovered from (sample 3) of this deposit (406), including free-threshing wheat and barley. This feature is interpreted as a probable midden, the presence of which was not predicted by the geophysical survey.
10 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
5.12 Midden 406 was subsequently cut by north-west/south-east orientated ditch 407 (Fig. 8; section BB). This measured 1.42m wide and 0.51m deep. A single sherd of 12th to 14th-century pottery, 20 fragments of fired clay and a horse bone were recovered from its single silty clay and charcoal rich fill (408), which was derived from natural silting. The pottery is likely to be residual having been incorporated into the feature from the collapse/erosion of the underlying midden (406).
5.13 Also cutting midden 406 was broadly east/west orientated ditch 403 (Fig. 8; section BB). It measured 2.3m wide and 0.9m deep, with moderately sloping even sides, a slightly concave base and a symmetrical profile. A single piece of cattle bone was recovered from its single silty clay and charcoal rich fill (404), deposited by natural silting.
5.14 Ditch 403 corresponded with a linear anomaly identified by the geophysical survey.
Trench 6 (Fig 2) 5.15 Located centrally within the trench was east/west orientated ditch 604. It measured 0.9m wide and 0.64m deep, with moderately steeply sloping straight sides and a concave base. It contained two silty clay fills (606 and 605.
5.16 Ditch 607 was located approximately 2m to the north. It measured 1.76m wide and 0.82m deep, with a symmetrical profile, similar to ditch 604, with moderately steeply sloping straight sides and a concave base. A total of nine sherds of pottery, broadly attributable to the Iron Age, a fragment of fired clay and one fragment of indeterminate animal bone, were recovered from its mid red brown silty clay fill (608).
Trench 7 (Fig 2) 5.17 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 703 was located at the south-western end of the trench. It measured 1.09m wide and 0.22m deep, with moderately steep straight sides and a flat base. No finds were recovered from its mid orange brown clay silt fill (704).
5.18 Parallel ditch 705 was located 10m to the west. It measured 1.44m wide and 0.49m deep, with moderately sloping straight sides and a concave base. A single sherd of Iron Age pottery, as well as two fragments of cattle bone were recovered from its mid grey brown clay silt fill (706).
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5.19 The probable continuation of this feature, the presence of which was not identified by the geophysical survey, has been identified within trenches 11 and 29 as ditches 1103 and 2906 respectively.
Trench 10 (Fig 2) 5.20 Curvilinear ditch 1005 was located towards the south-western end of the trench. It measured 0.22m wide, 0.2m deep and 0.85m long, with steeply sloping sides and a flat base, which gradually rose to form a terminus. A single sherd of late prehistoric pottery was recovered from its dark, purple grey clay silt fill (1006). A further 14 fragments of burnt bone, indeterminate to species, were recovered from soil sample 4, which also included indeterminate grain fragments and seeds of oat/brome grass. A tree bowl (1013), containing a mixed natural fill (1014), located to the immediate north-east is most likely associated with this feature which appears to represent tree rooting, which has rotted in situ, although the possibility remains that this may form part of penannular gulley.
5.21 Located centrally within the trench was north-east/south-west orientated ditch 1009. It measured 3.8m long and 0.7m wide with a grey brown clay silt fill (1010). No finds were recovered from this feature, which broadly corresponds with a north- east/south-west orientated anomaly identified by the geophysical survey.
5.22 Forming a right-angle with the eastern end of ditch 1009 was broadly north/south orientated ditch 1003. It measured 0.64m wide and 0.26m deep, with moderately sloping even sides and a flat to slightly concave base. A total of four sherds of pottery dating from the Middle Iron Age was recovered from its single grey brown silty clay fill (1004), which was similar in nature to the fill 1010 of ditch 1009. These two ditches are considered contemporary based on their morphology and similarity of fills.
Trench 11 (Fig 2) 5.23 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 1103 was located centrally within the trench. It measured 3.2m long and 0.9m wide. No finds were recovered from its mid grey brown clay silt fill (1104).
12 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
5.24 The probable continuation of this feature was identified within Trenches 7 and 29 as ditches 705 and 2906 respectively. This feature corresponds to a feint linear anomaly identified from the geophysical survey.
Trench 12 (Fig 2) 5.25 Located centrally within the trench was east-west orientated ditch 1205. It measured 6.2m wide and 0.6m deep, with gradually sloping sides and a flat base. No finds were recovered from its successive silty clay fills 1206 and 1207, which were in turn cut by east/west orientated ditch 1208.
5.26 Ditch 1208 measured 0.48m wide and 0.2m deep, with moderately steeply sloping sides and a flat base. No finds were recovered from its dark grey brown silty clay fill (1209), which was derived from natural silting. This ditch may form the continuation of ditch 1009, recorded within Trench 10.
5.27 Located at the southern end of the trench was north-east/south-west orientated ditch 1203. It measured 0.7m wide with a friable dark grey brown clay silt fill without inclusions (1204).
5.28 Ditch 1203 corresponds with a linear anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and with a boundary depicted on the Watts Estate Map of 1779. The continuation of this feature was recorded within Trench 19 as ditch 1903.
Trench 14 (Figs 2 and 9) 5.29 Located at the eastern end of the trench was north-east/south-west orientated ditch 1403. It measured 0.6m wide, with a grey brown silty clay fill (1404).
5.30 Ditch 1403 corresponds with a linear north-east/south-west orientated anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey and is further recorded within Trench 20 as ditch 2007 and re-cut 2009.
5.31 Forming a right-angle with the north-eastern end of ditch 1403 was broadly north- west/south-east orientated ditch 1405. It measured 0.64m wide and 0.2m deep, with moderately sloping even sides and a flat base. Fragments of horse and cattle bones were recovered from its single grey brown silty clay fill (1406).
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5.32 Ditch 1405 corresponds with a north-west/south-east orientated field boundary first depicted on the 1779 Watts Estate Map of Hanslope.
Trench 15 (Fig 2) 5.33 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 1503 was recorded at the eastern end of the trench. It measured 0.5m wide and 0.19m deep, with moderately steeply sloping straight sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its grey brown clay fill (1504).
5.34 Ditch 1503 corresponds with a north-west/south-east orientated anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and first depicted on the Ordnance survey map of 1881. The continuation of this feature is recorded within Trenches 22 and 28 as ditches 2203 and 2803 respectively.
Trench 17 (Fig 2) 5.35 Located towards the south-western end of the trench was broadly east/west orientated ditch 1703. Its uppermost fill (1703) comprised grey brown silty clay, from which no finds were recovered. Ditch 1703 represents a continuation of ditch 1906, recorded in trench 19.
Trench 19 (Figs 2 and 10) 5.36 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 1903 was recorded towards the south- western end of the trench. It measured 1.8m wide and 0.61m deep, with moderately steeply sloping concave sides and a concave base. A piece of metalwork was recovered from its lower fill 1904, which comprised mid yellow brown silty clay with small angular stone inclusions. No finds were recovered from its dark brown grey clay silt upper fill (1905).
5.37 Ditch 1903 corresponds with a north-west/south-east orientated anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and first depicted on the 1779 Watts Estate map of Hanslope. The continuation of this feature was recorded within Trench 12 as ditch 1203.
5.38 Located towards the north-eastern end of the trench was broadly east-west aligned ditch 1906. It measured 0.54m wide and 0.23m deep, with moderately steeply sloping concave sides and a concave base. Its single fill (1907) consisted of mid
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grey brown silty clay without inclusions. A single animal bone was recovered from the fill of this feature.
5.39 The possible continuation of ditch 1906 was recorded in Trench 17 as ditch 1703.
Trench 20 (Fig 2) 5.40 Located towards the southern end of Trench 20 was broadly north-west/south-east orientated ditch 2003. It measured 1.43m wide and 0.16m deep, with gently sloping concave sides and a flat base. No finds were recovered from its mid orange brown silty clay fill (2004).
5.41 Located to the immediate north of ditch 2003 was north-west/south-east orientated ditch 2005. It measured 0.63m wide and 0.12m deep, with moderately steep, concave sides and a concave base. Worked flint debitage was recovered from its single light yellow brown silty clay fill (2006), as well as three fragments of indeterminate animal bone. The relationship between ditches 2003 and 2005 remained uninvestigated.
5.42 Located at the northern end of the trench was north-east/south-west orientated ditch 2007. It measured 0.7m wide and 0.18m deep, with moderately sloping sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its brown grey silty clay fill (2008), which was cut along its length by north-east/south-west orientated ditch 2009.
5. 43 Ditch 2009 measured 1.08m wide and 0.34m deep, with moderately sloping sides and a concave base. This ditch most likely forms a recut of ditch 2007, albeit on a slightly different alignment.
5.44 Ditches 2007 and 2009 correspond with a linear north-east/south-west orientated anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey and are further recorded within Trench 14 as ditch 1403.
Trench 21 (Figs 2 and 11) 5.45 Cut into the geological substrate (2102) were north-west/south-east orientated foundation trenches 2103 and 2106. Built-up from the base of these cuts were mudstone rubble walls 2104 and 2107, which represent the partial remains of a stone building. North-west/south-east orientated wall 2104 was identified for a length of 1.8m and lay at the south-western end of the trench. It was constructed of broadly
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rectangular slabs of mudstone surrounded by a packing of soft mid brown grey clay with occasional small stone inclusions. This wall was c. 0.5m in width, with up to two courses surviving.
5.46 Mudstone rubble wall 2107 was parallel with wall 2104 and was constructed of the same material and in the same manner as wall 2107. Following construction of walls 2107 and 2104, foundations Trenches 2103 and 2107 were backfilled with silty clay and stones (2105 and 2108 respectively). Backfill deposit 2105 contained two fragments of post-medieval tile and a single pig bone; deposit 2108 contained a single sherd of 12th to 14th-century.
5.47 Walls 2104 and 2107 correspond to a building, possibly a barn, depicted on the 1779 Watts Estate map of Hanslope.
5.48 Overlying walls 2104 and 2107 was layer 2109, which comprised compact mudstone fragments in a silty clay matrix. This most likely represents the partial remains of a demolition/collapse layer, relating to the disuse and abandonment phase of the building.
Trench 22 (Fig 2) 5.49 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 2203 was recorded at the western end of the trench. It measured 0.28m wide, with a grey brown clay silt fill (2204).
5.50 Ditch 2203 corresponds with a north-west/south-east orientated anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and first depicted on the Ordnance survey map of 1881. The continuation of this feature is recorded within Trenches 15 and 28 as ditches 1503 and 2803 respectively.
Trench 24 (Fig 2) 5.51 Located towards the eastern end of the trench was north-west/south-east orientated ditch 2403. It measured 0.41m wide and 0.2m deep, with steep concave sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its mid orange brown silty clay fill (2404).
Trench 26 (Fig 2) 5.52 North-east/south-west orientated ditch 2603 was located towards the north-western end of the trench. It measured 1.34m wide and 0.51m deep, with moderately sloping
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even sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its single brown grey silty clay fill (2604). Trench 28 (Fig 2) 5.53 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 2803 was recorded at the western end of the trench. It measured 6.36m wide and was excavated to a depth of 0.94m without the base being reached. It had moderately steeply sloping straight sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its earliest identified yellow-grey brown clay fill (2804), deposited by natural slumping and collapse of the edges of the feature. This was overlain by dark red grey silty clay fill 2805, which contained a single sherd of pottery dating to the Roman period, as well as burnt and un-burnt animal bone. This deposit was formed by natural silting. This was in turn sealed by grey blue silty clay fill 2806 from which no finds were recovered. This deposit comprised redeposited natural possibly resulting from a ploughed-in bank, backfilling the largely silted ditch.
5.54 Cutting the fills 2806 and 2804 of ditch 2803 was similarly north-west/south-east orientated ditch 2807. It measured 0.6m wide and 0.64m deep with steeply sloping sides and a slightly concave base. A fragment of brick or tile was recovered from its single dark grey silty clay fill (2808).
5.55 Ditch 2803 and re-cut 2806 correspond with a north-west/south-east orientated anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and first depicted on the Ordnance survey map of 1881. The continuation of this feature is recorded within Trenches 22 and 28 as ditches 2203 and 2803 respectively.
Trench 29 (Figs 2 and 12) 5.56 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 2906 was located at the south-western end of Trench 29 (Fig. 12; section CC). It measured 0.56m wide and 0.32m deep. No finds were recovered from its mid purple grey silty clay fill (2907).
5.57 The probable continuation of this feature was identified within Trenches 7 and 11 as ditches 705 and 1103 respectively.
5.58 Located centrally within the trench was north-west/south-east orientated ditch 2903. It measured 2.88m wide and 0.43m deep, with a moderately sloping northern side and a flat base where revealed. A single sherd of pottery, broadly dated to the medieval period, was recovered from silty clay fill 2904. No finds were recovered from the overlying silty clay fill 2905. Both fills were deposited by natural silting.
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5.59 Located towards the northern end of the trench was north-east/south-west orientated ditch 2910. It measured 0.56m wide and 0.37m deep. No finds were recovered from its mid grey brown silty clay fill.
Trench 30 (Fig 2) 5.60 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 3003 was located towards the south-eastern end of Trench 30. It measured 1.9m wide, with a mixed dark grey brown clay silt fill (3004).
5.61 Ditch 3003 corresponds with a linear anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and with a boundary depicted on the Watts Estate Map of 1779. The continuation of this ditch was recorded within Trenches 35 and 39 as ditches 3503 and 3903.
Trench 34 (Fig 2) 5.62 Located towards the north-eastern end of the trench was north-east/south-west orientated feature 3407. It measured 2.6m wide, with moderately steeply sloping straight sides and was excavated to a depth of 0.87m without the base being reached. The earliest encountered fill (3406), comprised mid blue grey silty clay with frequent small angular stone inclusions. No finds were recovered from this layer, which was formed by gradual silting processes and was overlain by mid grey brown silty clay fill 3405, which contained one sherd of Roman pottery, considered to be residual within this context. This was in turn overlain by fill 3404, which comprised mid brown grey silty clay with occasional small angular stone inclusions, which contained a single sherd of 17th to 18th-century pottery. This was in turn sealed by dark grey brown clay silt fill (3403), which appears to have been ploughed-into the feature, which contained a post-medieval coin.
5.63 This feature corresponds with an anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and a track/road depicted on the 1779 Watts Estate Map of Hanslope.
5.64 Located towards the centre of the trench was north-west/south-east orientated ditch 3408. It measured 1.29m wide and 0.52m deep, with steep straight sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its basal fill (3409), which comprised grey brown silt derived by natural silting. This was in turn overlain by dark brown grey clay silt 3410, from which ten sherds of Middle Iron Age pottery and four fragments of fired clay were recovered. A further 31 fragments of burnt bone,
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unidentifiable to species and two fragments of cattle bone were also recovered from this fill (3410). An environmental sample (sample 1), taken from fill 3410, contained a moderately small number of charred plant remains and a moderate quantity of charcoal fragments. The charred plant remains included hulled wheat, seeds of brome grass and hazelnut shell fragments.
Trench 35 (Fig 2) 5.65 North-west/south-east orientated ditch 3503 was located centrally within the trench. It measured 2m wide, with a mixed dark grey brown clay silt fill (3504).
5.66 Ditch 3503 corresponds with a linear anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and with a boundary depicted on the Watts Estate Map of 1779. The continuation of this ditch was recorded within Trenches 30 and 39 as ditches 3003 and 3903.
Trench 39 (Figs 2 and 13) 5.67 Located centrally within the trench was north-west/south-east orientated ditch 3903. It measured 3.3m wide, with moderately sloping even sides. It was excavated to a depth of 0.8m without the base being reached. The earliest encountered fill comprised mid yellow brown clay silt (3904), from which no finds were recovered. This was overlain by mixed grey brown clay silt and clay fill 3905. The mixed nature of the fill suggests deliberate backfilling of the field boundary ditch.
5.68 Ditch 3903 corresponds with a linear anomaly identified from the geophysical survey and with a boundary depicted on the Watts Estate Map of 1779. The continuation of this ditch was recorded within Trenches 30 and 35 as ditches 3003 and 3503.
6. THE FINDS
Pottery 6.1 The pottery recovered from the evaluation is recorded in Appendix B and discussed below. Recording of the finds assemblage was direct to an excel spreadsheet; this now forms the basis of Appendix B (Table 1). The pottery was examined by context, using an x40 hand lens and quantified according to sherd count and weight per fabric type. The fabrics are described in Table 2 (Appendix B).
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6.2 A total of two hundred and twenty four sherds (1935g) of pottery were hand- recovered from the excavation of eighteen separate deposits. All of the pottery was recovered from the fills of pits and ditches, midden or natural deposits. The condition of the assemblage is mixed, the majority of the sherds are not heavily abraded, but the mean sherd weight is moderately low for a largely medieval assemblage (8.6g).
Prehistoric 6.3 A total of twenty seven sherds (125g) of mainly unfeatured body sherds was recorded. Almost all of the sherds were made in a vesicular or limestone-tempered fabric, the voids are probably attributable to the leaching of limestone from the matrix (LV1). One sherd of prehistoric pottery was made in a fabric with common quartz inclusions (Q1).
6.4 Fourteen sherds (86g) exhibit decoration as vertical or oblique-angled scoring and are identifiable as of Scored Ware, a tradition common to the east Midlands dating across the 4th to 1st centuries BC (Elsdon 1993). Four sherds (41g) occurred in fabric LV1 are recorded from deposit 1004, the fill of ditch 1003. Ten sherds (45g), recorded in deposit 3410, the fill of ditch 3408, also contained grog inclusions (fabric VG1). A number of these sherds are also coated with a burnt internal deposit, suggesting that they may have been used for food preparation. Similar scored ware material has been found at Pennylands Hartigans in Milton Keynes (Williams 1993).
Late Iron Age/Roman Pottery 6.5 Four sherds (133g) of Late Iron Age/Roman pottery was recorded from four separate ditch deposits. A local black sandy ware was present in the midden deposit 406 and a local sandy grog ware was present in the ditch fill 2805. One rim sherd (1g) in a fine oxidised fabric (OXRS), probably an Oxfordshire type, was recorded from 3405, the fill of ditch 3407. The form of this vessel is probably a bowl with curving flange and similar to Young’s Form O37 or O39 (Young 1977, 196).
Medieval 6.6 One hundred and eighty nine sherds (1642g) of medieval pottery are recorded; by far the most dominant fabric by both weight and sherd count was a fine crushed shell ware (LOCSH). This was found in a number of deposits but the majority (141 sherds, 1349g) came from the midden deposit 406. This material is comparable to shelly fabrics common to the wider area, abundant for example at sites in Northampton, where it is dated to the 12th-14th century (Williams 1979, 157: fabric
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T6). A number of jar forms are present with ‘developed’ everted rims including thickened or hooked forms. One sherd from the midden deposit is a simple upright rim from a dish, whilst another sherd is a finger impressed strap handle from a jug or pitcher. Two sherds of a Lyveden Stanion everted rim jar are also recorded from the midden deposit 406. A small number of sherds in an unglazed quartz-tempered (LOCQ) fabric was also recorded, although no discernible forms were present in this type.
Post-medieval Pottery 6.7 Three sherds (34g) of post-medieval pottery are recorded, mostly from unstratified or topsoil deposits. One sherd of refined white ware with a blue transfer decoration, dating to the late 18th to 19th century, is recorded from the topsoil of Trench 6. The base of a tin glazed earthenware vessel, probably dating to the mid-17th to 18th century was recorded from ditch fill 3404. A sherd of yellow slipware of 18th-century type was recorded as an unstratified find.
Fired Clay and Ceramic Building Material (CBM) 6.8 Fifty three fragments (246g) of fired clay were recorded from four separate deposits. None of the material retained any surfaces or distinguishing features. A total of five fragments (107g) of CBM were recorded from four separate deposits. One fragment of Roman tegula (flanged roof tile) was recorded from the midden deposit 406. A fragment of post-medieval flat roof tile is recorded from the wall packing 2105. This is presumably associated with the structure 2104. One fragment of a possible post- medieval brick is recorded from the topsoil of Trench 6. The remaining fragments retained no distinguishing features.
7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
Animal Bone 7.1 Animal bone amounting to 153 fragments (1811.7g) was recovered via a combination of hand excavation and bulk soil sampling from 14 deposits dating from the Late Prehistoric/Iron Age to the post-medieval period. The bone was only moderately well preserved, displaying surface erosion and both historical and modern damage, rendering 75% of the assemblage unidentifiable to species. It was however possible to identify the remains of cattle (Bos taurus), sheep/goat (Ovis aries/Capra hircus), pig (Sus scrofa sp.), horse (Equus callabus), dog (Canis
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familiaris) and cat (Felis sylvestris catus). Unless otherwise stated, these species were identified from meat-poor skeletal elements such as the bones of the lower legs and feet.
Late Prehistoric/Iron Age 7.2 Fifty fragments (244g) of animal bone were recovered from deposits 608, 706, 1006 and 3410 respectively; fills of ditches 607, 705, 1005 and 3408, cattle was the only species identified. No cut and/or chop marks were present to suggest an origin in butchery waste. A further 44 fragments (4g) were recovered from deposits 1006 and 3410 via bulk soil samples 4 and 1. This material was too fragmentary to identify but had the characteristic calcined state and white colour associated with prolonged burning at a temperature that greatly exceeds that needed for cooking.
Roman 7.3 Of the three fragments (149g) recovered from ditch fill 2805, two were identifiable to species, a cattle radius and a sheep/goat tibia. No chop marks to suggest an origin in butchery were present and due to the low recovery no further information beyond species identification was obtained.
Medieval 7.4 The medieval activity on site produced 89 fragments (913.7g) of animal bone, accounting for the greater part of the assemblage as a whole. A total of 80 fragments (810.5g) came from midden layer 406 with 24 fragments (578g) identifiable to species. Cattle, sheep/goat and pig were identified from mainly meat- poor skeletal elements with the occasional meat-rich bone, such as the pelvis and scapula also present. While no cut or chop marks were observed, much of the bone bore impact damage indicative of the use of heavy, cleaver-like tools which suggests the waste originates from primary and secondary butchery.
7.5 A limited amount of dog and cat bone was also recovered from deposit 406 along with horse from deposit 408. Each of these species are common domestic animals of the period (Baker and Worley, 2.14) but were recovered in numbers too low to provide any inference beyond species identification.
Post-medieval 7.6 A single bone (30g) was recovered from deposit 2105, a fill of foundation cut 2103 for wall 2104. It was identified as the partial scapula of a pig.
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Undated 7.7 A further ten fragments (475g) were recovered from deposits 404, 414, 1406, 1907 and 2006 fills of ditches 403, 413, 1405, 1906 and 2005. Cattle and horse were identified from meat-poor skeletal elements. No evidence of butchery in the form of cut or chop marks was observed however, the bone did display impact damage similar to that present in the medieval assemblage.
Palaeoenvironmental Evidence 7.8 A series of four environmental samples (80 litres of soil) were processed from a range of features within Trenches 4, 10 and 34 to evaluate the preservation of palaeoenvironmental remains and with the intention of recovering environmental evidence of industrial or domestic activity on the site. The samples were processed by standard flotation procedures (CA Technical Manual No. 2).
7.9 Preliminary identifications of plant macrofossils are noted in Table 1 in Appendix C, following nomenclature of Stace (1997) for wild plants, and traditional nomenclature, as provided by Zohary et al (2012) for cereals. The presence of mollusc shells has also been recorded. Nomenclature is according to Anderson (2005) and habitat preferences according to Kerney (1999) and Davies (2008).
7.10 The flots varied in size with low to moderately high numbers of rooty material and modern seeds. The charred material comprised varying levels of preservation.
Early Iron Age – Trench 34 7.11 Fill 3410 (sample 1) of ditch 3408 contained a moderately small number of charred plant remains and a moderate quantity of charcoal fragments greater than 2mm, including both mature and round wood fragments. The charred plant remains included hulled wheat, emmer or spelt (Triticum dicoccum/spelta) grain and glume base fragments, seeds of brome grass (Bromus sp.) and hazelnut (Corylus avellana) shell fragments. A few of the chaff elements were identifiable as being those of spelt wheat (Triticum spelta). This assemblage may be representative of a dump of domestic settlement waste material.
7.12 The small number of mollusc shells observed within this sample included shells of the open country species Vallonia excentrica and the intermediate species Trochulus hispidus.
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Late prehistoric – Trench 10 7.13 A few charred plant remains, including indeterminate grain fragments and seeds of oat/brome grass (Avena/Bromus sp.), were recorded from fill 1006 (sample 4) of ditch 1005. There was also a moderate quantity of charcoal fragments noted. This assemblage may be reflective of dispersed domestic hearth material and there is no clear indication of the likely date of the deposit from the charred assemblage.
Medieval - Trench 4 7.14 A moderate charred assemblage was recovered from fill 412 (sample 2) of pit 411 and a high number of charred remains from midden deposit 406 (sample 3). The cereal remains included free-threshing wheat (Triticum turgidum/aestivum type) grains and rachis fragments and barley (Hordeum vulgare) grain fragments. Other possible crop remains included celtic bean (Vicia faba) fragments and a number of the oats may be those of the cultivated variety. The weed seeds included seeds of oats/brome grass, vetch/wild pea (Vicia/Lathyrus sp.), rye-grass/fescue (Lolium/Festuca sp.) and stinking mayweed (Anthemis cotula). There were also a few hazelnut shell fragments noted. Moderate quantities of charcoal fragments were recovered from these deposits. These included round wood fragments.
7.15 These charred assemblages may again be representative of dumps of domestic settlement waste. The weed seeds are generally species typical of grassland, field margins and arable environments. The presence of stinking mayweed may be indicative of the exploitation of heavier clay soils. Free-threshing wheat is generally the predominant wheat species within Saxon and medieval assemblages within southern Britain (Greig 1991) so the assemblages appear to be compatible with the suggested dates for the deposits.
7.16 The moderate number of mollusc shells recorded within the assemblages included shells of the open country species Vallonia costata, Vallonia excentrica and Vertigo pygmaea, the intermediate species Cochlicopa sp., Cepaea sp. and Trochulus hispidus, and the shade-loving species Aegopinella nitidula., Oxychilus cellarius and Aegopinella pura. The assemblages may be reflective of a well-established open landscape with some areas of longer grass in the area of the midden.
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8. DISCUSSION
8.1 The evaluation identified a concentration of archaeological remains within the northern part of the site, with a lower density of archaeological remains within the remainder of the site. Although a number of these features remain undated, the majority can be attributed to either the Iron Age or medieval/post-medieval periods.
8.2 The results of the evaluation broadly correlated with the preceding geophysical survey, which identified a number of anomalies representing potential archaeological features. These predominantly comprised linear anomalies, indicative of field boundaries (Sumo 2017). However, a number of features were identified which were not predicted by the geophysical survey.
Prehistoric period to early medieval period (pre-AD 43 – 1066) 8.3 Early prehistoric activity is represented by a single flake of residual lithic material recovered from ditch 2005. Although this artefact is not closely dateable, it is probably attributable to the Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period.
8.4 No other finds of Neolithic/Bronze Age date were identified during the evaluation. The evaluation has identified no clear areas of Neolithic/Bronze Age settlement, and only a single isolated find of Neolithic/Bronze Age date. The limited identified activity during this period, suggests that activity during this period is likely to have been transient in nature and has left little or no evidence in the form of archaeological features.
Iron Age 8.5 The evaluation identified evidence for Iron Age activity, concentrated in the northern part of site within Trenches 6, 7, 10, 11, 17, 20, 29 and 34 (Ditches 604, 607, 703, 705, 1003, 1009, 1103, 1703, 2006, 2906 and 3408). A small quantity of dating evidence was recovered from some of these features, with dates ranging from the Middle to Late Iron Age. The earliest closely-dateable material from the site dates to the Middle Iron Age (c. 4th to 1st centuries BC). The recovered ‘Scored wares’ from the period are close to the south-eastern distribution for this tradition.
8.6 Although the artefactual evidence suggests that activity within the current evaluation area occurred during the Middle to Late Iron Age, the quantity and range of material culture across the site was small and included few items of personal use and dress,
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building material, or domestic/agricultural technology as are commonly found on rural occupation sites in lowland England. However this lack of finds may be due to the sample size. The presence of internal carbonaceous residues on some of the pottery may indicate that food preparation was taking place during the Iron Age on this site but there is too little material to draw any meaningful conclusions.
8.7 The evidence from the evaluation suggests that at least one enclosure was present, with possibly further conjoining enclosures. These features were investigated through the excavation of Trenches 6, 7, 10, 11, 17 and 34 (Figs 2 and 14).
8.8 The enclosures did not contain any identifiable internal features and may have acted as paddocks for domesticated stock rather than the focus of habitation. However, although no definite internal features were present a tree throw or partial ring-gully was identified.
8.9 A moderate assemblage of botanical remains were recovered from two environmental samples (samples 1 and 4), with the presence of both emmer and spelt wheat, indicating that cereals were consumed. This assemblage may be representative of a dump of domestic settlement waste material.
8.10 A small collection of bones of domestic animals was recovered, predominantly from environmental samples. Due to fragmentation, species identification and chronological range could not be determined for the majority of the assemblage. Cattle was the only species identifiable to species during this period.
8.11 Curvilinear feature (1005) within Trench 10 most likely represents a natural feature caused by tree rooting. Charred plant remains and charcoal fragments were recovered from this feature which may be reflective of dispersed domestic hearth material, although there is no clear indication of the likely date of the deposit from the charred assemblage, which may not be in situ within this context.
8.12 Understanding of the layout of this Iron Age activity is hampered by the lack of clear geophysical responses in this area, although the pattern of ditches, as revealed by the evaluation, when taken with the recovered palaeoenvironmental and finds evidence may indicate the presence of a small enclosed settlement, associated field systems or enclosures for stock management or cultivation.
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8.13 A number of similar features have been identified in the vicinity including an enclosure, measuring 25m by 20m recorded on aerial photography approximately 800m to the south-west of the site. A further cropmark is visible on aerial photography, c. 700m to the south-east of the site, although undated these features are considered to be of later Prehistoric to Roman date based on morphological grounds.
Roman 8.14 Pottery of Roman date occurs only sparsely material recorded and there were few distinguishable forms present. The single sherds of Roman pottery recovered from ditch 2803 and track/road 3403 respectively are likely to be residual within post- medieval features. A further two sherds of pottery of Late Iron Age to Roman date were recovered from the subsoil (2901) within Trench 29. Also within the site a buckle plate, brooch and a coin of Roman date are recorded on the Milton Keynes HER. Given the limited recovery of Roman or possible Roman pottery within the site further interpretation is not possible beyond the recognition of a Roman presence with in the vicinity.
Medieval to modern periods (1066–present) Settlement features 8.15 The character of the medieval archaeology found in the north-western part of the site is characteristic of activity on the periphery of rural medieval settlement. The earliest features identified within the site comprised pit 410 and midden 406, both of which contained medieval pottery. The absence of significant quantities of brick, or constructional stone or tiles in the midden deposit would add weight to the suggestion that this feature lay in an area which was always outside of the core of the medieval settlement and that the site lays within the hinterland of the medieval settlement of Green End/Hanslope, which appear not to have extended significantly into the site.
8.16 The large majority of the pottery assemblage recovered from the site is medieval, dating to the 12th-14th centuries. The majority of this assemblage was recorded from within midden deposit 406. The assemblage is domestic in nature with jugs, dishes and multiple jar forms, although glazed types are notable by their absence.
8.17 The palaeoenvironmental evidence from the medieval period gives a further indication of domestic settlement activities taking place in the general area. With
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free-threshing wheat recovered from pit 411 indicating the domestic nature of the medieval activity on site.
8.18 The moderate number of mollusc shells recorded within the recovered assemblages, including shells of open country species, is reflective of a well-established open landscape with some areas of longer grass in the area of the midden.
Field systems 8.19 The evaluation identified ditches and agricultural features across the site. The alignments of the ditches, which were orientated broadly north-east/south-west and north-west/south-east, suggest a common field system (Fig. 14). However, dating and cartographic evidence suggests remodelling of the field system over time and indicates that not all the elements were extant during the same phases of activity. Based on the finds and cartographic evidence and morphological characteristics elements of the field systems clearly have their origins within the medieval period, with subsequent post-medieval additions and remodelling. The slight variation in the alignments of these ditches can be accounted for by the sinuous nature of the surrounding field boundaries, which in many cases further suggest a medieval origin.
8.20 A small quantity of dating evidence was recovered from ditches 403, 407 and 413, with provisional dates ranging from the medieval to modern period. Ditches 1203, 1405, 1903, 1906, 3003, 3503 and 3903 correspond with field boundaries depicted on Watts Estate map of 1779 (Fig. 5). These features are last depicted on the 1900 Ordnance Survey Map of Hanslope.
8.21 Ditches 1503, 2203, 2803 and 2807 correspond with field boundaries depicted on the 1881 Ordnance Survey Map (Fig. 6). This boundary is last depicted on the 1977 Ordnance Survey map of Hanslope. A total of 18 ditches were revealed across the site which did not contain any diagnostic artefacts, however, several of these including ditches 103, 105, 1205, 1208, 1403, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2403, 2903 and 2910 appear to follow a similar orientation to the surrounding field systems depicted on historic and current Ordnance Survey mapping. Accordingly it is considered probable that these ditches represent the remains of former field partitions and are thought unlikely to pre-date the medieval period.
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8.22 Based on morphological characteristics these field systems predominantly relate to Parliamentary Enclosures of the post-medieval period, with surviving elements of earlier medieval strip fields also present.
Trackways 8.23 Further presumed evidence of medieval activity comprises the flanking ditches of a possible trackway identified within Trench 4 (ditches 409 and 413), which correlate with geophysical anomalies. The trackway appears to lead to, and from, the settlement identified at Green End to the west and are considered contemporary with this settlement.
8.24 Part of a trackway (3407) was also recorded near to the southern boundary of the site, which contained artefactual evidence dating from the post-medieval period. This trackway, which, based on artefactual material within its silted and deliberately backfilled fills, appears to have gone out of use in the late post-medieval period, is first depicted on the Watts Estate map of 1779, but has been replaced by a field boundary by the time of the 1828 plan of Hanslope.
Stone structure 8.25 The stone building remains evident in Trench 21 correspond to a building, possibly a barn, shown on the 1779 Watts Estate map in the field called ‘Barn Close’ (Fig. 5).
Undated 8.26 It is not currently possible to attribute undated ditch 2603 to the identified Iron Age enclosures or medieval/post-medieval field system.
9. CA PROJECT TEAM
9.1 Fieldwork was undertaken by Ralph Brown, assisted by Anna Moosbauer, Peter Banks, Bethany Hardcastle, Anne Templeton, Callum Ruse, Liam Wilson, and Kinga Werner. The report was written by Ralph Brown and Anna Moosbauer. The finds report was written by Peter Banks, with the animal bone report written by Andrew Clarke and the palaeoenvironmental report written by Sarah Wyles. The illustrations were prepared by Charlotte Patman. The archive has been compiled by Emily Evans, and prepared for deposition by Jess Cook. The project was managed for CA by Stuart Joyce.
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10. REFERENCES
Anderson, R. 2005 ‘An annotated list of the non-marine Mollusca of Britain and Ireland’, Journal of Conchology 38, 607-637
Baker, P. and Worley, F. 2014 Animal bones and archaeology: Guidelines for best practice Swindon, English Heritage
BGS (British Geological Survey) 2017 Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 13 November 2017
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2016 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment, CA Report No. 16267
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation
CIfA, 2014 Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation. Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (Reading)
Davies, P. 2008 Snails Archaeology and Landscape Change, Oxford, Oxbow Books
DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) 2012 National Planning Policy Framework
Green, D 2011 Hanslope: Buckinghamshire Historic Towns Assessment Report. Buckinghamshire County Council, Milton Keynes Council, English Heritage
Greig, J. 1991 ‘The British Isles’ in van Zeist, W., Wasylikowa, K. and Behre, K-E. (eds),229-334
Kerney, M.P. 1999 Atlas of the Land and Freshwater Molluscs of Britain and Ireland, Colchester, Harley Sumo 2017 Land West of Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Geophysical survey report. Report no. 11599; MK HER Event Number EMK1313
30 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
Stace, C. 1997 New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press Books van Zeist, W., Wasylikowa, K. and Behre, K-E. (eds) 1991 Progress in Old World Palaeoethnobotany, Rotterdam, Balkema
Williams, J.H. 1979 St Peter’s Street, Northampton. Excavations 1973-1976 Northampton Development Corporation, Northampton
Williams R.J. 1993 Pennyland Hartigans: Two Iron Age and Saxon Sites in Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society Monograph No 4, Aylesbury
Young C.J. 1977 Oxfordshire Roman Pottery BAR 43, Oxford
Zohary, D., Hopf, M. and Weiss, E. 2012 Domestication of plants in the Old World: the origin and spread of cultivated plants in West Asia, Europe, and the Nile Valley, 4th edition, Oxford, Clarendon Press
Cartographic Sources
1779 Plan of the Watts Estate 1828 Plan of Hanslope 1881 First Edition Ordnance Survey map
31 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
Trench Context Type Fill Context Context Description L W T No of Interpretation (m) (m) (m) 1 100 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 1 101 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.5 with ocasional small subangular stones 1 102 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 1 103 Cut Field Drain NE-SW linear with steep >0.9 0.88 0.58 straightish sides. The bas was obsquered by a land drain 1 104 Fill 103 Deliberate Soft dark grey brown clay silt with >0.9 0.88 0.58 Backfill 2% small stone inclusions 1 105 Cut Ditch/Bioturbation NE-SW linear with irregular sides >0.9 2.72 0.72 and base 1 106 Fill 105 Secondary silting Firm mid grey brown silty clay >0.9 2.72 0.72 with 2% small stone inclusions 2 200 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 2 201 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.13 with ocasional small subangular stones 2 202 Layer Marshy deposit Soft dark grey brown silty loam 8 >1.8 0.13 with 2% small angular stone inclusions 2 203 Layer Colluvium Soft mid yellow brown clay silt 22 >1.8 0.26 with <1% angular small stone inclusions 2 204 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 3 300 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >30 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 3 301 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >30 >1.8 0.26 with ocasional small subangular stones 3 302 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >30 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 4 400 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.35 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 4 401 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.46 with ocasional small subangular stones 4 402 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 4 403 Cut Ditch N-S Linear with moderate >1 2.3 0.98 concave sides and a concave base 4 404 Fill 403 Secondary silting Soft mid yellow grey silty clay >1 2.3 0.98 with no inclusions 4 406 Layer Midden Friable dark grey brown clay silt 7 >1.8 0.46 with 2% small angular flint and 10% charcoal inclusions
32 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
4 407 Cut Ditch N-S Linear with moderate >1 1.42 0.56 concave sides and a concave base 4 408 Fill 407 Secondary silting Friable dark grey brown clay silt >1 1.42 0.56 15% charcoal inclusions 4 409 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear not excavated with >4.3 0.5 midden (406) overlying it at the NW end 4 410 Fill 409 Secondary silting Soft mid orange brown clay silt >4.3 0.5 with 2% angular stone inclusions 4 411 Cut Pit Semi circluar as seen with steep 1.24 >0.46 0.49 concave sides and concave base 4 412 Fill 411 Deliberate Friable mid grey brown clay silt 1.24 >0.46 0.49 Backfill with 5% charcoal inclusions and occasional small angular stone
4 413 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with moderate >1 0.68 0.2 concave sides and a concave base 4 414 Fill 413 Secondary silting Friable mid orange brown silty >1 0.68 0.2 clay with occasional angular stones 0.01-0.05 5 500 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.27 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 5 501 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.4 with ocasional small subangular stones 5 502 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 6 600 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.26 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 6 601 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.2 with ocasional small subangular stones 6 602 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 6 603 Layer Colluvium Soft mid yellow brown silty clay >50 >1.8 >0.5 with 1% angular flint inclusions 6 604 Cut Ditch E-W Linear with steep straight >1 0.9 0.64 sides and a concave base 6 605 Fill 604 Tertiary silting Friable dark grey brown silty clay >1 0.9 0.12 with no inclusions 6 606 Fill 604 Secondary silting Soft mid yellow brown silty clay >1 0.85 0.52 with 3% small angular stone inclusions 6 607 Cut Ditch E-W Linear with moderate >1 1.76 0.82 convex sides and a concave base 6 608 Fill 607 Secondary silting Soft mid red brown silty clay with >1 1.76 0.82 1% small angular flint inclusions 7 700 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 7 701 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 7 702 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 7 703 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with straight 30° >1 1.09 0.22 sides and a flat base
33 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
7 704 Fill 703 Secondary silting Soft mid orange brown clay silt >1 1.09 0.22 with 2% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.05m 7 705 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with Straight 50° >1 1.44 0.49 sides and concave base 7 706 Fill 705 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown clay silt with >1 1.44 0.49 1% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.04m 8 800 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 8 801 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.31 with ocasional small subangular stones 8 802 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 9 900 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 9 901 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.34 with ocasional small subangular stones 9 902 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 10 1000 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 10 1001 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.34 with ocasional small subangular stones 10 1002 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 10 1003 Cut Ditch N-S Linear with straight 45° sides >1 0.64 0.26 and concave base 10 1004 Fill 1003 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown clay silt with >1 0.64 0.26 2% angular stone 0.01-0.03m 10 1005 Cut Ditch N-S curvilinear with rounded >0.85 >0.22 0.2 ends straight 50° sides and a concave base 10 1006 Fill 1005 Secondary silting Soft dark purple grey clay loam >0.85 >0.22 0.2 with 1% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.03m 10 1007 Cut Ditch N-S curvilinear with rounded >0.82 >0.22 0.2 ends straight 50° sides and a concave base 10 1008 Fill 1007 Secondary silting Soft dark purple grey clay loam >0.82 >0.22 0.2 with 1% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.03m 10 1009 Cut Ditch E-W Linear unexcavated conects >3.8 0.7 to perpenticular ditch 1003 in the east 10 1010 Fill 1009 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown clay silt with >3.8 0.7 2% angular stone 0.01-0.03m 10 1011 Cut Bioturbation Irregular in plan with irreggular 2.5 >0.65 0.3 sides and base 10 1012 Fill 1000 Secondary silting Friable dark grey brown clay silt 2.5 >0.65 0.3 with 5% angular stone inclusions 11 1100 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 11 1101 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.35 with ocasional small subangular stones
34 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
11 1102 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 11 1103 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear not excavated >3.2 0.9 same as ditch 705 11 1104 Fill 1103 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown clay silt with >3.2 0.9 1% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.04m 12 1200 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.25 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 12 1201 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 12 1202 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 12 1203 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear not excavated >5.5 0.7 same as ditch 1903 12 1204 Fill 1203 Secondary silting Friable dark grey brown clay silt >5.5 0.7
12 1205 Cut Ditch E-W linear with moderate >1 6.2 0.65 concave sides and flat to irregular base 12 1206 Fill 1205 Secondary silting Friable dark yellow brown clay silt >1 6.2 0.5 with no inclusions 12 1207 Fill 1205 Secondary silting Firm mid yellow grey sity clay >1 4.8 0.15 with frequent small angular stones 12 1208 Cut Ditch E-W linear with moderate >1 0.48 0.2 concave sides and a concave base 12 1209 Fill 1208 Secondary silting Friable dark grey brown clay silt >1 0.48 0.2 with no inclusions 13 1300 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.27 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 13 1301 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 13 1302 Layer Natural Firm Light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 14 1400 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.27 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 14 1401 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 14 1402 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 14 1403 Cut Ditch NE-SW Linear not excavated >3.5 0.6 same as ditches 2007/9 connects to ditch 1405 in the northeast
14 1404 Fill 1403 Secondary silting Firm mid grey brown silty clay >3.5 0.6 with 2% small stone inclusions 14 1405 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with moderate >1 0.64 0.2 concave sides and a concave base 14 1406 Fill 1405 Secondary silting Firm mid grey brown silty clay >1 0.64 0.2 with 2% small stone inclusions 15 1500 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded
35 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
stone inclusions
15 1501 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 15 1502 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 15 1503 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with Straight 50° >1.4 0.5 0.19 sides and concave base 15 1504 Fill 1503 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown clay silt with >1.4 0.5 0.19 1% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.04m 16 1600 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0..3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 16 1601 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.4 with ocasional small subangular stones 16 1602 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 17 1700 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 17 1701 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.6 with ocasional small subangular stones 17 1702 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 17 1703 Cut Ditch E-W Linear not excavated same >3.4 0.4 as 1906 to the west 17 1704 Fill 1703 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown silty clay >3.4 0.4 with no inclusions 18 1800 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.32 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 18 1801 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.28 with ocasional small subangular stones 18 1802 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 19 1900 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 19 1901 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.36 with ocasional small subangular stones 19 1902 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 19 1903 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with moderate >1 1.8 0.61 concave sides and a concave base 19 1904 Fill 1903 Secondary silting Soft mid yellow brown silty clay >1 1.5 0.22 with 3% small angular stone inclusions 19 1905 Fill 1903 Secondary silting Soft dark brown grey clay silt with >1 1.8 0.39 2% small sub rounded stone inclusions 19 1906 Cut Ditch E-W linear with moderate >1 0.54 0.23 concave sides and a concave base
36 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
19 1907 Fill 1906 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown silty clay >1 0.54 0.23 with no inclusons 20 2000 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.39 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 20 2001 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.18 with ocasional small subangular stones 20 2002 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 20 2003 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with gentle >1 1.43 0.16 concave sides and a flat base 20 2004 Fill 2003 Secondary silting Soft mid orange brown silty clay >1 1.43 0.16 with 4% angular stones 0.01- 0.02m 20 2005 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with moderate >1 0.63 0.12 concave sides and a concave base 20 2006 Fill 2005 Secondary silting Soft light yellow brown silty clay >1 0.63 0.12 with 2% sub angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.02m 20 2007 Cut Ditch NE-SW Linear with moderate >1 0.47 0.18 concave sides and a concave base truncated by 1909 20 2008 Fill 2007 Secondary silting Firm mid brown grey silty clay >1 0.47 0.18 with 1% sub rounded stone inclusions 0.01-0.03m 20 2009 Cut Ditch NE-SW Linear with moderate >1 1.08 0.34 concave sides and a concave base 20 2010 Fill 2009 Secondary silting Firm dark brown grey silty clay >1 1.08 0.34 with 1% sub angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.02m 21 2100 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.32 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 21 2101 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.26 with ocasional small subangular stones 21 2102 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 21 2103 Cut Foundation cut NW-SE Linear with straight >1.8 1.1 >0.1 vertical sides 21 2104 Structure 2103 Wall light yellow grey sandstone >1.8 1 >0.2 blocks 200x150x80mm to 100x100x50mm undressed and randomly coursed 21 2105 Fill 2103 Wall packing Soft mid brown grey silty clay >1.8 1 >0.2 with occassional small stones <0.01m 21 2106 Cut Foundation cut NW-SE Linear with straight >1.8 1 0.2 vertical sides 21 2107 Structure 2103 Wall light yellow grey sandstone >1.8 1 0.2 blocks 250x200x150mm to 150x100x100mm undressed and randomly coursed 21 2108 Fill 2103 Wall packing Soft mid brown grey silty clay >1.8 1 0.2 with occassional small stones <0.01m 21 2109 Layer Floor leveling Soft light brown yellow clay silt >1.8 5.5 0.07 with frequent sub angular sandstone 0.01-0.08m and frequent chalk flecks 21 2110 Cut Bioturbation Irregular in plan with irreggular 0.92 0.53 0.09 sides and base
37 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
21 2111 Fill 2110 Secondary silting Soft mid yellow grey clay silt with 0.92 0.53 0.09 occasional manganese flecks 22 2200 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 22 2201 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.4 with ocasional small subangular stones 22 2202 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 22 2203 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear unexcavated >1.8 0.28 >0.4 same as ditch 2807 22 2204 Fill 2203 Secondary silting Friable dark brown grey clay silt >1.8 0.28 >0.4 with no inclusions 23 2300 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 23 2301 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.4 with ocasional small subangular stones 23 2302 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 24 2400 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.25 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 24 2401 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.35 with ocasional small subangular stones 24 2402 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 24 2403 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with steep >1 0.41 0.2 concave sides and a concave base 24 2404 Fill 2403 Secondary silting Soft mid orange brown silty clay >1 0.41 0.2 with 5% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.05m 25 2500 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 25 2501 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 25 2502 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 26 2600 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.31 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 26 2601 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.28 with ocasional small subangular stones 26 2602 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 26 2603 Cut Ditch NE-SW Linear with moderate >1 1.34 0.51 concave sides and a concave base 26 2604 Fill 2603 Secondary silting Soft mid brown grey silty clay >1 1.34 0.51 with 3% angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.03. 27 2700 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions
38 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
27 2701 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.28 with ocasional small subangular stones 27 2702 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 27 2703 Cut Bioturbation Sub ovoid with irregular sides >1.44 0.6 0.3 and base 27 2704 Fill 2703 Secondary silting Soft mid brown orange silty clay 1.04 >0.22 0.15 1% sub angular stone inclusions 0.01-0.06m 27 2705 Fill 2703 Secondary silting Soft mid brown grey clay silt with >1.44 >0.3 0.15 1% subangular stone inclusions 0.01-0.05m 28 2800 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.27 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 28 2801 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.2 with ocasional small subangular stones 28 2802 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 28 2803 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear with moderate >1.8 6.2 >0.94 convex sides and the base was not reached 28 2804 Fill 2803 Secondary silting Soft mid yellow brown silty clay >1 3.35 >0.36 with occasional chalk flecks and angular stone inclusions 0.01- 0.05m 28 2805 Fill 2803 Secondary silting Soft dark red brown silty clay with >1 1.66 >0.38 moderate manganes flecks 28 2806 Fill 2803 Deliberate Firm mid yellow grey silty clay >1 6.2 0.6 Backfill with frequent patches of redeposited natural with moderate chalk flecks and occasional angular flint 28 2807 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear with steep straight >1 0.6 0.64 sides and a concave base 28 2808 Fill 2807 Secondary silting Friable dark grey clay silt with no >1 0.6 0.64 inclusions 29 2900 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.2 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 29 2901 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.29 with ocasional small subangular stones 29 2902 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 29 2903 Cut Coombe Natural hollow on an E-W >1 >2.88 0.43 alignment in the northern half of site with shallow straight sides 29 2904 Fill 2903 Alluvial Firm dark yellow grey silty clay >1 2.9 0.22 with no inclusions 29 2905 Fill 2903 Alluvial Firm mid brown yellow silty clay >1 1.9 0.22 with no inclusions 29 2906 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear with moderate >1 0.56 0.32 concave sides and concave base 29 2907 Fill 2907 Secondary silting Firm mid purple grey silty clay >1 0.56 0.32 with no inclusions 29 2908 Layer Alluvial Firm mid purple grey silty clay >1.8 >2.2 0.3 with no inclusions
39 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
29 2909 Layer Alluvial Firm mid brown yellow silty clay >1.8 >2.2 >0.21 with no inclusions 29 2910 Cut Ditch E-W Linear with steep concave >1 0.56 0.37 sides and a concave base 29 2911 Fill 2910 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown silty clay >1 0.56 0.37 with 5% small angular stone inclusions 30 3000 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.26 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 30 3001 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.3 with ocasional small subangular stones 30 3002 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 30 3003 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear not excavated and >3.5 1.9 same as ditch 3903 30 3004 Fill 3003 Deliberate Soft mixed dark grey brown clay >3.5 1.9 Backfill silt with 2% sub angular stone 0.01-0.05m 31 3100 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.26 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 31 3101 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.38 with ocasional small subangular stones 31 3102 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 32 3200 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.26 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 32 3201 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.29 with ocasional small subangular stones 32 3202 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 33 3300 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 33 3301 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.29 with ocasional small subangular stones 33 3302 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 34 3400 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.35 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 34 3401 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.25 with ocasional small subangular stones 34 3402 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 34 3403 Fill 3407 Tertiary silting Friable dark grey brown clay silt >1 >0.5 0.25 with no inclusions 34 3404 Fill 3407 Secondary silting Soft mid brown grey silty clay >1 >2.6 0.41 with occasional small angular stone inclusions 34 3405 Fill 3407 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown silty clay >1 >1.78 >0.25 with moderate large stone inclusions up to 0.35m wide
40 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
34 3406 Fill 3407 Secondary silting Soft mid blue grey silty clay with >1 >0.63 0.09 frequent small angular stone inclusions 34 3407 Cut Ditch NE-SW Linear with moderate >1 >2.6 >0.87 straight sides and the base wasn't reached 34 3408 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear with steep straight >1 1.29 0.52 sides and a concave base 34 3409 Fill 3408 Secondary silting Soft mid grey brown silty clay >1 1.29 0.15 with 5% sub angular stone inclusions 34 3410 Fill 3408 Secondary silting Friable dark brown grey clay silt >1 1.14 0.43 with 10% small angular stone inclusions and 5% charcoal flecks 35 3500 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.25 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 35 3501 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.27 with ocasional small subangular stones 35 3502 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 35 3503 Cut Ditch NW-SE linear not excavated here >1.8 3 same as ditch 3903 35 3504 Fill 3503 Deliberate Soft mixed dark grey brown clay >1.8 3 Backfill silt with 2% sub angular stone 0.01-0.05m 36 3600 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.26 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 36 3601 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.45 with ocasional small subangular stones 36 3602 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 37 3700 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.25 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 37 3701 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.35 with ocasional small subangular stones 37 3702 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 38 3800 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.3 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 38 3801 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.46 with ocasional small subangular stones 38 3802 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 39 3900 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.36 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 39 3901 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.24 with ocasional small subangular stones 39 3902 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 39 3903 Cut Ditch NW-SE Linear with 40° concave >1 3.3 >0.8 sides and the base was not
41 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
reached
39 3904 Fill 3903 Secondary silting Soft mid yellow brown clay silt >1 3.3 0.28 with 2% angular flint inclusions 0.01-0.05m 39 3905 Fill 3903 Deliberate Soft mixed dark grey brown clay >1 2.54 >0.8 Backfill silt with 2% sub angular stone 0.01-0.05m 40 4000 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.28 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 40 4001 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.31 with ocasional small subangular stones 40 4002 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 41 4100 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.26 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 41 4101 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.25 with ocasional small subangular stones 41 4102 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion 42 4200 Layer Ploughsoil Friable dark brown grey silty loam >50 >1.8 0.29 with occasional small rounded stone inclusions 42 4201 Layer Subsoil Soft mid orange brown clay silt >50 >1.8 0.22 with ocasional small subangular stones 42 4202 Layer Natural Firm light yellow grey sandy clay >50 >1.8 with 10% chalk flecks and occasional angulular flint inclusion
42 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS
Table 1 FINDS CONCORDANCE Fabric Weight Context Sample Material Description Count Spot-Date Code (g) 406 CBM Roman Tegula 1 10 MED C12th- Fired Clay Fired Clay 28 133 C14th Medieval Pottery Sandy Ware LOCQ 4 22 Medieval Pottery Shelly Ware LOCSH 140 1328 Medieval Pottery Lyveden Stantion LS 2 72 Medieval Pottery Quartz/Limestone LOCQL 1 7 Prehistoric Pottery Coarse Limestone LV 2 17 Roman Pottery Sandy Black Ware LOCBS 1 8 (MK Fabric 9) 3 Medieval Pottery Shelly ware LOCSH 2 8
408 Fired Clay 20 82 MED C12th- Medieval Pottery Shelly ware LOCSH 1 27 C14th 412 2 Medieval Pottery Shelly Ware LOCSH 24 125 MED C12th- Medieval Pottery Sandy Ware LOCQ 1 4 C14th Medieval Pottery Shelly Ware LOCSH 5 18 600 CBM Brick Fragment 1 67 Post Med Pottery Refined white ware RWW 1 3 with blue transfer dec. 608 Fired Clay 1 1 IA Prehistoric Pottery Vesicular fabric LV 9 19 706 Prehistoric Pottery Limestone fabric LV 1 2 IA 1004 Prehistoric Pottery Vesicular fabric, LV 4 41 MIA Scored ware 1006 Prehistoric Pottery Quartz fabric Q 1 1 LATE PREH 1200 Medieval Pottery Shelly Ware LOCSH 5 27 MED C12th- C14th 2105 CBM Tile 2 33 POST MED 2108 Medieval Pottery Shelly Ware LOCSH 1 1 MED C12th- C14th 2805 Roman Pottery Sandy Grog Ware LOCSG 1 112 ROM 2808 CBM 1 7
2901 LIA/Roman Pottery Vesicular fabric LV 1 12 LIA/ROM Pottery Shelly Ware LOCSH 1 1 2904 Medieval Pottery Sandy Ware LOCQ 1 12 MED 3404 Post-Med Pottery Lead/Tin glaze LTGW 1 16 Late C17th- C18th 3405 Roman Pottery Fine oxidised fabric OXRS 1 1 ROM (Form O37 or O39) 3410 Fired Clay 4 30 MIA Prehistoric Pottery Vesicular with grog VG 7 37
Scored Ware 1 Prehistoric Pottery Vesicular with grog VG 3 8
Scored Ware U/S Tr4 Medieval Pottery Shelly ware LOCSH 2 21 U/S Post-Med Pottery Yellow slip ware YS 1 15
43 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
Table 2 FABRIC DESCRIPTIONS Fabric Period Code Description Prehistoric VG Vesicular with some grog LV Vesicular fabric may contain some limestone or quartz Q Sparse Quartz Fabric Roman LOCBS Reduced sandy black ware OXRS Roman fine oxidised (Oxfordshire?) Medieval LOCSH Medieval fine crushed shelly LOCQ Medieval quartz sand LOCLQ Medieval Limestone and quartz LS Lyveden Stanion Ware Post-med./ RWW Refined White Ware modern LTGW Tin Glazed Earthenwareare YS Yellow Slip Ware
44 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE
Table 3: Identified animal species by fragment count (NISP) and weight and context.
Cut Fill BOS O/C SUS EQ Canid Felis LM MM Ind BB SS Total Weight (g) Late Prehistoric/Iron Age 607 608 1 1 1 705 706 2 2 124 1005 1006 14 14 1 3408 3410 2 31 33 118 Subtotal 4 1 44 50 244 Roman 2803 2805 1 1 1 3 149 Medieval 406 4 8 4 2 6 7 46 3 80 810.5 407 408 1 1 32 411 412 2 3 3 8 71.2 Subtotal 4 8 6 1 2 6 1 49 6 89 913.7 Post-medieval 2103 2105 1 1 30 Undated 403 404 1 1 67 413 414 2 2 64 1405 1406 1 2 3 334 1906 1907 1 1 7 2005 2006 3 3 3 Subtotal 5 2 1 3 10 475 Total 13 9 7 3 2 6 8 50 4 51 153 Weight 805 73 370 268 22 14 96 155 4 4.7 1811.7 BOS = Cattle; O/C = sheep/goat; SUS = pig; EQ = horse; Canid = dog; Felis = cat; LM= cattle sized mammal; MM = sheep size mammal; Ind = indeterminate; BB SS = unidentifiable burnt fragments from bulk soil samples
45 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
Table 4 Assessment table of the palaeoenvironmental remains
Unpro Proce cesse Flot ssed d vol size Root Cereal Charre Notes for Charcoal Feature Context Sample vol (L) (L) (ml) s % Grain Chaff Notes d Other Table > 4/2mm Other Trench 34 Early Iron Age Ditch Hulled wheat grain frags, glume base Corylus frags inc. avellana shell Moll-t 3408 3410 1 20 0 80 25 ** * spelt ** frags, Bromus ***/**** (**) Trench 10 Late Prehistoric Ditch Indet. 1005 1006 4 20 0 40 65 * - grain frag * Avena/Bromus **/*** - Trench 4 Medieval Pit F-t wheat and barley Corylus grain avellana shell Moll-t 411 412 2 20 0 25 40 ** - frags ** frags, Avena **/*** (**) Trench 4 Medieval Midden F-t wheat Corylus and avellana shell barley frags, Avena, grain Avena/Bromus frags, f-t , Vicia faba, wheat Vicia/Lathyrus, rachis Lolium/Festuc Moll-t 406 3 20 10 120 10 ***** * frags *** a, Anthemis ***/*** (***)
Key: * = 1–4 items; ** = 5–19 items; *** = 20–49 items; **** = 50–99 items; ***** = >100 items, Moll-t = land snails
46 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX D: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS
Trench number Thickness of Thickness of Depth of trench topsoil subsoil 1 0.28 0.5 0.78 2 0.28 0.13 0.41 3 0.28 0.26 0.54 4 0.35 0.46 0.81 5 0.27 0.4 0.67 6 0.26 0.2 0.46 7 0.3 0.3 0.6 8 0.28 0.31 0.59 9 0.28 0.34 0.62 10 0.3 0.34 0.64 11 0.3 0.35 0.65 12 0.25 0.3 0.55 13 0.27 0.3 0.57 14 0.27 0.3 0.57 15 0.28 0.3 0.58 16 0.3 0.4 0.7 17 0.3 0.6 0.9 18 0.32 0.28 0.6 19 0.28 0.36 0.64 20 0.39 0.18 0.57 21 0.32 0.26 0.58 22 0.3 0.4 0.7 23 0.3 0.4 0.7 24 0.25 0.35 0.6 25 0.3 0.3 0.6 26 0.31 0.28 0.59 27 0.28 0.28 0.56 28 0.27 0.2 0.47 29 0.2 0.29 0.49 30 0.26 0.3 0.56 31 0.26 0.38 0.64 32 0.26 0.29 0.55 33 0.28 0.29 0.57 34 0.35 0.25 0.6 35 0.25 0.27 0.52 36 0.26 0.45 0.71 37 0.25 0.35 0.6 38 0.3 0.46 0.76 39 0.36 0.24 0.6 40 0.28 0.31 0.59 41 0.26 0.25 0.51 42 0.29 0.22 0.51
47 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX E: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes Short description Between November and December 2017, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 42 trenches. The evaluation identified a concentration of archaeological remains within the northern part of the site, with a lower density of archaeological remains within the remainder of the site. Early prehistoric activity is limited to a single flake of residual lithic material, probably attributable to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age period. The earliest features encountered comprised ditches containing Iron Age pottery, concentrated within the northern-central part of the site. Roman pottery, most likely residual within later ditches was also recorded. A single pit and a midden, containing medieval pottery were also identified within the northern part of the site. Further medieval activity comprised the flanking ditches of a possible trackway, which appears to lead to, and from, the former settlement identified at Green End to the west. The evaluation identified ditches and agricultural features across the site, which based on their finds, cartographic evidence and morphological characteristics have their origins within the medieval period, with subsequent post-medieval/modern additions and remodelling. The remains of a stone building, depicted on the 1779 Watts Estate map, were identified in the northern part of the site. Part of a trackway was also recorded near to the southern boundary of the site, which contained artefactual evidence dating from the post- medieval period. An undated ditch was recorded within the western part of the site. Project dates 20 November – 5 December 2017 Project type Field evaluation Previous work Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (Cotswold Archaeology 2016) Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes Study area (M2/ha) 10ha Site co-ordinates 479895 246880 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator n/a Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Stuart Joyce Project Supervisor Ralph Brown MONUMENT TYPE Medieval field system, medieval and post-medieval trackways and post-medieval agricultural building foundations SIGNIFICANT FINDS Medieval pottery and metalwork PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content Physical Buckinghamshire County Museum ceramics, animal bone, metal artefacts Paper Buckinghamshire County Museum Trench sheets, context sheets, drawings Digital Buckinghamshire County Museum Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 17737
48 4 479000 4 481000 7 8 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
224800048000
224600046000
N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 CAMBRIDGESHIRE w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] WARWICKSHIRE MILTON PROJECT TITLE KEYNES Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
FIGURE TITLE LUTON BEDFORDSHIRE E Site location plan 0 1km
OXFORDSHIRE FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 HERTFORDSHIR the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 N 2 FIGURE NO. 01908 564660 cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 01285 771022 @ 01264 347630 01392 826185 www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 661019 11/12/2017 1:1,500
enquiries Andover Cirencester Exeter Milton Keynes w e 1:1,500 PROJECT NO. DATE SCALE@A3 site boundary evaluation trench/sondage archaeological feature structural feature registered artefact deposit field drain treethrow/natural origin natural section location A 0 50m CP DJB SRJ Cotswold Archaeology excavated/unexcavated A c Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permissionReproduced from the Ordnance Survey The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office on behalf of of Ordnance Survey Archaeology Ltd 100002109 Cotswold copyright Crown
PROJECT TITLE Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE location plan showing Trench archaeological features, geophysical survey results and registered artefacts DRAWN BY DRAWN CHECKED BY APPROVED BY Western Drive Road Castlethorpe T23 ditch 2807 ditch 3403 ditch 3408 T28 T9 T13 ditch 2803 T34
480000 ditch 2203 T22
3 h 0 T27 c t i 5 ditch d 1 1503 T8 T15 T42 T1 A T3 A T36 2 103 ditch A 105 ditch RA2 R RA2 ditch 2403 1 T16 A R RA1 RA1 T40 T5 T37 T31 T24
3 h 0 c t i 1 ditch d 1 1103
h 3 c t 0 T2 i 7 703 ditch d
T11 T18 T41 h 5 c t 0 i ditch 3903 705 7 705 d ditch ditch
3 h
0 c 0 h T39 t T32 i 9 1 c t ditch d ditch i 2 2903 2903 C C 9 ditch d 2 2910
6 y l T7 l 0
u 9 3 h gully g 2 2906 0 c T29 t i 5 ditch d 3 3503 604 ditch 607 ditch
T25 3 h 3 h T35 0 c 0 c t t
i 7 i 0 3 h ditch d 1 1703 ditch d T6 3 3003 0 c
t i 9 0 h
3 w d ditch ditch 0 c 1 1003 1003 t h o A i 9 0 5 r c ditch d ditch t 0 1009 1 1009
RA3 R 0 i h t 4 409 h 0 ditch d 3 T17 e c 1005 1 t 1 e i r 413 413 4 d ditch ditch treethrow t
1 t B i 1 T38 p pit pit
T10 411 411 4 6 h T30 0 c
t i 3 9 h d ditch ditch 0 c 1 1906 1906 B t 407 i 2
ditch ditch d 1 1203 3 h 5
h 0 c c 0 n t t i 9 i 2 205 e 6 ditch d 1 1903 d ditch 1 1 403 479800 d ditch 0 d T19 i 406 4 406 m midden midden T4 ditch 1208 T33 T12 T14
5 h
0 T26 c t s i & 4
9 ditch e 2003 ditch d 1 1405 7 0 h 0 ditch c 0 2603 t i 0
2009 2 ditches d 2007 & 2 3 h 0 c
t i 4 5 h ditch d 1 1403 0 c t i 0 d ditch ditch 2 2005 2005 T20
l 7 l 0 a 1 T21 wall wall w 2107 2 wall 2104 247000 246800 3
Site, looking north-east
4
Site, looking north-west
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 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Photographs
DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A4 N/A 3-4 5
Extract of the 1779 Watts Estate Map of Hanslope
6
Extract from the 1881 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map
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 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Historic maps
DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. 01:15,000 500m CHECKED BY DJB DATE 14/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A4 1:15,000 (approx.) 5-6 Section AA
NW SE 109.2m AOD
100
101
106
ditch 105
01m1:20
Trench 1: ditch 105, looking north-east (scale 2m)
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 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Trench 1: section and photograph
DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A4 1:20 7 Section BB
NE SW 103.7m AOD
400
drain 401
406
408
NE SW ditch 407 103.7m AOD
406
404
ditch 403
01m1:20
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 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Trench 4: sections and photograph
Midden deposit 406 and ditches 403 and 407, looking north-west (scale 2m) Ditch 411, looking north-east (scale 1m) DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A3 1:20 8 9
Trench 14: ditch 1405, looking south-east (scale 1m)
10 11
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 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Trench 19: ditch 1903, looking south-east (scale 1m) Trench 21: walls 2104 and 2107, looking south-west (scales 1m) Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Trenches 14, 19 and 21: photographs
DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A3 N/A 9-11 Section CC
NE SW 105.6m AOD 2900
2901
29082907 2908 gully 2906
2909
01m1:20
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 Trench 29: gully 2906, looking south-east (scale 1m) Trench 29: gilly 2910, looking west (scale 0.3m) Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Trench 29: section and photographs
DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A3 1:20 12 Trench 39: ditch 3903, looking south-east (scale 2m)
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 Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE Trench 39: photograph
DRAWN BY CP PROJECT NO. 661019 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 11/12/2017 APPROVED BY SRJ SCALE@A4 N/A 13 N 14 FIGURE NO. 01908 564660 cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 01285 771022 @ 01264 347630 01392 826185 www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 661019 11/12/2017 1:1,500
enquiries Andover Cirencester Exeter Milton Keynes w e 1:1,500 projected line of Iron Age encosure/ field system projected line of medieval trackway projected line of post-medieval field system PROJECT NO. DATE SCALE@A3 site boundary evaluation trench/sondage archaeological feature structural feature registered artefact deposit field drain treethrow/natural origin natural section location A 0 50m CP DJB SRJ Cotswold Archaeology excavated/unexcavated A c Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permissionReproduced from the Ordnance Survey The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office on behalf of of Ordnance Survey Archaeology Ltd 100002109 Cotswold copyright Crown
PROJECT TITLE Land at Castlethorpe Road, Hanslope Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire FIGURE TITLE location plan, showing Trench projected alignments DRAWN BY DRAWN CHECKED BY APPROVED BY Western Drive Road Castlethorpe T23 ditch 2807 ditch 3403 ditch 3408 T28 T9 T13 ditch 2803 T34
480000 ditch 2203 T22 T27 ditch 1503 T8 T15 T42 T1 A T3 A T36 103 ditch 105 ditch RA2 RA2 ditch 2403 T16 RA1 RA1 T40 T5 T37 T31 T24 ditch 1103 T2 703 ditch T11 T18 T41 ditch 3903 705 705 ditch ditch T39 T32 ditch ditch 2903 2903 C C ditch 2910 T7 gully 2906 T29 ditch 3503 604 ditch 607 ditch T25 T35 ditch 1703 ditch 3003 T6 ditch ditch 1003 1003 ditch ditch 1009 1009 RA3 409 ditch T17 1005 413 413 ditch ditch treethrow B T38 pit pit T10 411 411 T30 ditch ditch 1906 1906 B 407 ditch ditch 1203 5 h c 0 t i 205 2 ditch 1903
479800 d ditch 1 1 403 ditch T19 406 406 midden midden T4 ditch 1208 T33 T12 T14 T26 ditch 2003 ditch 1405 ditch 2603 2009 ditches 2007 & ditch 1403 ditch ditch 2005 2005 T20 T21 wall wall 2107 wall 2104 247000 246800
49