Land at Islington Farm, Wood End Atherstone Warwickshire

Land at Islington Farm, Wood End Atherstone

Warwickshire

Archaeological Evaluation

for CgMs Heritage (part of RPS Group)

on behalf of Summix IFW Developments Limited

CA Project: MK0063

CA Report: MK0063_2

May 2019

Land at Islington Farm Wood end, Atherstone Warwickshire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: MK0063 CA Report: MK0063_1

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 14/5/19 EJB SRJ Internal Quality Assurance SRJ Review B 03/06/2019 EJB MS External Consultant SRJ Review Comment

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

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 3

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 9

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 14

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 15

5. RESULTS (FIGS 3-8) ...... 17

7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ...... 28

8. DISCUSSION ...... 29

9. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 31

10. REFERENCES ...... 31

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 33 APPENDIX B: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 43 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 45

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig 1. Site location plan (1:25000) Fig 2. Area 1A, looking south-west (photograph) Area 1D, looking north-east (photograph) Fig 3 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features (1:1500) Fig 4. Pit 602: Plan, section and photograph (1:200/1:20) Fig 5. Ditch 1503: Plan, section and photograph (1:200/1:20) Fig 6. Ditch 1903: Plan, section and photograph (1:200/1:20) Fig 7. Pit 2002: Plan, section and photograph (1:200/1:20) Fig 8. Ditch 3103: Plan, section and photograph (1:200/1:20)

PLATES Plate 1 Ditch 1303, looking south-east (0.3m scale) Plate 2 Ditch 1603, looking south (1m scale) Plate 3 Pond 4503, looking north-west (1m scales) Plate 4 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at Islington Farm, Wood End Location: Atherstone, Warwickshire NGR: 424820 298210 Type: Evaluation Date: 30th April to 10th May 2019 Planning Reference: North Warwickshire Borough Council PAP/2018/0762 Location of Archive: To be deposited with Warwickshire Museum Site Code: IFA 19

Between April and May 2019, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire. The evaluation was undertaken to inform a planning application for the residential development of the site. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of forty-two trenches.

Archaeological interest in the site was derived from its location in the north-eastern corner of the medieval parish of Kingsbury, with the parish boundary following both the northern and eastern bounds of the site. A previous geophysical survey of the site did not identify any definite archaeological anomalies, although evidence for modern ploughing was visible across much of the site, as well as old field boundaries, a trackway and the locations of two former ponds.

No features, finds or deposits of archaeological significance, or pre-dating the post-medieval to modern period, were recorded during the current evaluation. Where archaeological features were encountered during the current trenching there was a good correlation with the results of the preceding geophysical survey, allowing confidence that the evaluation, combined with the geophysical survey provide a true reflection of the archaeological resource present.

The evaluation identified undated ditches and agricultural features predominantly concentrated within the central portion of the site. The ditches fit within the general alignment of the surrounding field systems as depicted on historic and current Ordnance Survey

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation mapping. Based on this cartographic evidence and their morphological characteristics, the ditches likely have their origins within the post-medieval period.

The alignments of the ditches suggest a co-axial field system aligned broadly north/south and east/west, with a sub-division orientated north-west/south-east, forming parts of at least two, but likely more contiguous fields. Elements of this field system also appear to form flanking ditches of a possible trackway identified within the central part of the site.

A pond located in the south-eastern part of the site is depicted on the 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map and last seen on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1967. Two undated pits were also recorded.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Between April and May 2019, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Islington Farm, Wood end, Atherstone, Warwickshire (centred at NGR: 424820 298210; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken at the request of CgMs on behalf of Summex IFW Developments Limited.

1.2 The evaluation was undertaken to inform a planning application (ref: PAP/2018/0762) to North Warwickshire Borough Council (NWBC; the local planning authority) for the residential development (Class C3) of the site, with associated access, landscaping, open space and drainage infrastructure, with all matters reserved save for access.

1.3 The scope of the evaluation, which comprised the excavation of 42 evaluation trenches across approximately 6.4ha of land at Islington Farm, Wood End, was defined during discussions between Matthew Smith, Business Development Director, CgMs Heritage (part of RPS Group) and John Robinson, Warwickshire County Council’s Planning Archaeologist (WCCPA), the archaeological advisor to NWBC.

1.4 This WSI has been guided in its composition by Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014), the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Planning Note 3 (English Heritage 2008), the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2015) and any other relevant standards or guidance contained within Appendix B. It was monitored by John Robinson, including a site visit on 7 March 2019.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 1

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

The site 1.5 The proposed development site measured approximately 6.4ha in an area, situated to the east of the village of Wood End, near Atherstone in Warwickshire. The site comprised parts of five contiguous land parcels, separated by a vehicular track (Fig. 2). The land parcels comprised part of a large agricultural field, currently utilised as pasture, with smaller paddocks and gardens located within the western part of the site. It is bounded to the north by a grass paddock and Boulters Lane, with arable fields beyond, to the east by the remainder of the pasture field, to the south by residential properties and associated gardens fronting on to Tamworth Road and to the west by further housing developments. The site lies at approximately 135m above Ordnance Datum (aOD) at its southern boundary, sloping downwards to the north and west to c. 124.5m aOD (CgMs 2018).

1.6 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Whitacre Member mudstone and sandstone of the Carboniferous Period. This is overlain by superficial Quaternary deposits of Thrussington Member diamicton (BGS 2019).

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 2

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The archaeological and historical background of the site have been detailed within the desk-based assessment (CgMs 2018) and further supplemented by the findings of the previous geophysical survey (SUMO 2019). The following section is summarised from these sources.

2.2 There are no designated archaeological assets (Scheduled Monuments) within the site, or within the wider 1km radius of the site.

Previous Archaeological Investigations 2.3 A detailed magnetometer survey was conducted over the 6.4ha site. No definite archaeological anomalies have been identified, though evidence for modern ploughing is visible across much of the site. Old field boundaries, a trackway and the locations of two former ponds have also been mapped.

2.4 Fieldwalking was undertaken at Birch Coppice. This recovered a spread of medieval material, interpreted as possibly being associated with a deserted medieval settlement. In addition, the archaeological monitoring of trenches and topsoil stripping in advance of building and landscaping works was carried out (EWA7046). The only features recorded comprised twentieth century drainage systems.

Prehistoric (Palaeolithic – Iron Age; pre- AD43) 2.5 The Warwickshire HER contains no evidence for Palaeolithic to Iron Age material within either the site or the wider vicinity of the site.

2.6 Distribution plots of Mesolithic findspots suggest that there are no particular concentrations of Mesolithic activity in the vicinity of the site, although evidence of occupation features was excavated at Polesworth a few km to the north.

Roman (AD 43 to AD 410) 2.7 There are no known Roman sites or findspots within the site, and the nearest evidence for Roman activity is the findspot of a single Roman coin, located some 200m to the south-east of Waste Farm, which lies beyond the southern extent of the site.

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

2.8 The site lies some 2km to the south west of Watling Street, the Roman road from London to Wroxeter which runs approximately south east to north west passes from the Roman town at Mancetter (Manduessedum) to another Roman town at Wall (Letocetum). There are, however, few other known Roman sites in the vicinity of the site – the nearest comprising a series of tile and pottery kilns to the south of Mancetter and a temple complex site at Coleshill to the south west.

Early medieval and medieval (AD 410 to 1429) 2.9 The Early medieval period in the West Midlands is one of the least visible periods archaeologically, despite both documentary and place name evidence suggesting that the landscape was densely settled.

2.10 Although a good number of Anglo-Saxon burials are known from the West Midlands, these are predominantly concentrated in the south east, south west and north eastern fringes of the area, with none close to the site. The site lay within the Anglo- Saxon diocese of Warwick.

2.11 The site lies in the north eastern corner of the medieval parish of Kingsbury, with the parish boundary following both the northern and eastern bounds of the site. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, records the parish as ‘Chinesburie’. This probably derives from the Old English for the ‘Stronghold of a man called Cyne’. In 1066 Kingsbury lay in the hundreds of Hemlingford, and was held by Countess Godiva. The value to the lord in 1066 was £6, and its taxable value was 6 geld units. In 1086 it was held by Nicholas the bowman of King William. It was a relatively large manor, with 33 villagers, 3 smallholders, 1 slave and 2 priests. The land was a mix of arable and pasture, with 7 plough lands supporting 2 lord’s plough teams and 16 men’s plough teams, along with 12 acres of meadow, woodland and a mill, worth 9s 4d.

2.12 Wood end lies in the north eastern end of the parish, to the north east of Kingsbury wood, and to the east of Edge Hill wood, from one of which it presumably derives its name. It was peripheral to all of the known centres of medieval occupation and is likely to have formed part of the rural hinterland of these settlements.

2.13 There are no medieval sites or findspots recorded within the site, however, a number of sites and findspots are recorded within the wider environs. These include a moated site at Baddesley Farm, some 750m to the east north east of the site.

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Elsewhere, isolated finds include a seal matrix found by a metal detectorist (MWA20643), and two medieval coins (MWA20662 and MWA20837), both also metal detectorist finds, recovered some 650m to the north and 550m to the south of the site respectively. All these finds can be interpreted as unstratified finds derived from casual loss and possibly manuring activities. On the northern edge of the study area, medieval finds recovered during fieldwalking (EWA2535) have been interpreted as representing a deserted medieval settlement.

2.14 The HER for Warwickshire holds records of two areas of ridge and furrow fieldwork. One of these lies to the north east, to the east of Cope’s Rough and is likely to be associated with the medieval site at Baddesley Farm, whilst the second lies to the south, close to Home Farm and Charity Farm on Hurley Common. There is no evidence for ridge and furrow agriculture on the site.

2.15 The medieval settlement pattern in the vicinity of the site is relatively well understood. The site itself is likely to have formed part of the agricultural hinterland to this settlement pattern.

Post-medieval and modern (1429 to present) 2.16 For much of the post-medieval period the site remained peripheral to the medieval settlement pattern, which changed little from the medieval. Three designated heritage assets lie within the wider area of the site, dating to the post-medieval period. These comprise Stone Cottage (Grade II) and a separately designated outbuilding to its north east (DWA304 and NHLE1365189) situated circa 700m north east of the Site; Baddesley Farmhouse (DWA566) situated circa 625m north east; and Green Farmhouse (DWA517) situated circa 750m south east. None of these lie in close proximity to the site.

2.17 There are no post-medieval and modern sites or findspots recorded within the site in the Warwickshire HER, and only a small number in the wider area. Findspots comprise a silver post-medieval coin (MWA20645) some 500m to the south of the site and a lead alloy token (MWA20647) 300m to the south, whilst sites include the site of the Birch Coppice Colliery Railway (MWA6493) some 700m north of the site and the Birch Coppice Colliery (EWA7046) to the north-eastern edge of the site.

2.18 The earliest map of the area is the 1610 Speed Map of Warwickshire. This shows Kingsbury, associated with a deer park, and settlements at Whateley and Baddesley

11 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Ensor, but there is no trace of activity at Wood End or on the site itself. The 1787 Cary Map of Warwickshire shows the road network in the vicinity of the site, but the nearest settlements depicted are the villages of Baddesley and Whateley and the farms at Holt Farm and New House Farm.

2.19 Islington Farm first appears on the 1817 Ordnance Survey Map. The farm is clearly shown and named Islington. It is depicted as approached from the north west along a track. The Site itself is depicted as featureless apart from a rectangular wood to the west, almost certainly Cope’s Rough. Poplar’s Farm to the south is also shown, as is Delves Farm to the north west, but neither are named. Edge Hill wood to the west is shown, as is Baxterley to the south east.

2.20 The first detailed depiction of the site itself is the 1847 Kingsbury Tithe Map. Islington Farm is depicted as comprising 3 ranges of buildings apparently arranged around a central courtyard, with the north eastern ‘L’-shaped range most likely comprising the current house and outbuildings. The site itself comprises ten fields and one area of woodland (known as Over Wood). The fields are mostly recorded as pasture, with some arable. Three ponds are shown – two large ponds on the junction of fields 706, 708, 717 and 725, and a third, smaller pond, on the western edge of field 703.

2.21 The 1888 Ordnance Survey Map shows little change from the tithe map. The field boundaries within the site appear unchanged, although a footpath is shown crossing the site from south west to north east. The farm complex also appears unchanged.

2.22 No changes are evident to the field boundaries in the 1903 Ordnance Survey Map although a large pond is shown in the south eastern half of the site which was not previously evident. The Islington Farm complex is shown in more detail, and appears expanded. Buildings to the north, west and south of Islington Farm hint at the growth and expansion of Wood End.

2.23 Little further change is visible either within the site or at Islington Farm in the 1923 Ordnance Survey. However, to the immediate east of the site, the buildings and railway of the Wood End pit, are clearly shown. This was sunk in 1911 as part of the Birch Coppice Colliery, operated by Morris and Shaw Ltd. Coal production started in 1914, and ceased in 1921. It was the growth of the collieries and in particular Kingsbury Colliery (opened 1897) and the Birch Coppice Colliery, which led to the

12 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

creation of the settlement at Wood End. A working man’s club was established in 1905, and the parish church was established in 1906. A school followed in 1911. This expansion is reflected on the 1923 map which shows a number of new houses to the west and south of the Site.

2.24 The 1945 aerial photograph of the site shows that the field boundaries within the site had not changed significantly but is not sufficiently detailed to show the ponds. The continued expansion of Wood end is clean, with houses built up to the farm house complex itself.

2.25 The modern Ordnance Survey Map shows some changes. The expansion of Wood End along Tamworth Rd to the south is evident, and the internal field boundaries and ponds are now gone. To the east, the former colliery is now a caravan park, whilst the railway which served it is now a track.

13 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation, as detailed in the WSI (CA 2019), 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), the evaluation has been designed to be minimally intrusive and minimally destructive to archaeological remains. The information gathered will enable NWBC 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 (MHCLG 2019).

14 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 42 trenches in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 3). Each of the trenches measured 30m long and 1.8m wide. The locations of Trenches 5 and 6 were revised slightly from those depicted in the WSI (CA 2019), with the approval of John Robinson, WCCAA, due to ecological constraints. Trenches 1, 2, 5 and 6 could not be accessed and remained unexcavated. 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. A singe deposit was identified with palaeoenvironmental potential and was sampled and processed. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation. No artefacts were recovered during the course of the excavation.

4.4 The archive from the evaluation is currently held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes and following the completion of reporting will be deposited with Warwickshire Museum. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

15 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 3

16 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

5. RESULTS (FIGS 3-8)

5.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts and environmental samples (palaeoenvironmental evidence) are to be found in Appendices A and B respectively.

5.2 General stratigraphy

5.3 A broadly consistent stratigraphic sequence was observed across the site, with the natural geological substrate, consisting of red brown silt clay, identified at a depth of 0.4m below present ground level (bpgl). In the northern part of the site, this was overlain by subsoil, comprising mid red brown sandy silt, which measured between 0.2m and 0.55m thick. Overlying the subsoil, in the northern part of the site, or directly overlying the natural in the southern part of the site, was mid grey brown sandy silt topsoil, which measured 0.34m thick.

5.4 The results of the fieldwork correlated well with the preceding geophysical survey. Archaeological features generally corresponding to potential ditches identified as anomalies in the geophysical survey were recorded in some, but not all of the trenches in which they potentially occurred. The anomalies targeted by Trenches 17 and 42 were not identified during the evaluation.

5.5 No archaeological features or deposits were identified within Trenches 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 38, 39-43 and 46.

Trench 6 (Figs 3 & 4) 5.6 Pit 602 was located towards the centre of Trench 6 (Fig. 4; section AA). It measured 0.6m long, 0.66m wide and 0.07m deep, with concave sides and a concave base. No finds were recovered from its single dark grey brown fill (603), which appears to have been deposited as a deliberate act of backfilling.

Trench 13 (Fig. 3 & Plate 1) 5.7 Located towards the western end of the trench was north-west/south-east orientated ditch 1303 (Plate 1). It measured 1.8m wide and 0.15m deep, with moderately sloping sides and a flat base. No finds were recovered from its dark brown red sand silt fill (1304), which was formed by natural silting processes.

17 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 4

18 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Plate 1 Ditch 1303, looking south-east (0.3m scale)

5.8 Ditch 1303 coincides with a linear anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey, representing former agricultural ploughing.

Trench 15 (Figs 3 & 5) 5.9 Broadly north/south orientated ditch 1503 was recorded towards the north-western end of Trench 15 (Fig. 5; section BB). It measured 1.07m wide and 0.74m deep, with steeply sloping sides and a broadly level, but uneven base. Its mottled dark pink brown and greyish yellow sand silt fill (1504), which was formed by natural silting processes, contained small fragments of post-medieval to modern brick and/or tile.

5.10 Ditch 1503 broadly corresponds with a north-north-east orientated anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey (SUMO 2019). The continuation of this feature was recorded in Trench 16 as ditch 1605.

Trench 16 (Fig. 5 & Plate 2) 5.11 North/south orientated ditch 1603 was identified at the western end of the trench (Plate 2). It measured 0.9m wide and 0.15m deep, with moderately sloping sides and a flat base. No finds were recovered from its mid red brown silt sand fill (1604).

19 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 5

20 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

5.12 Parallel ditch 1605 was located approximately 6.5m to the east. It measured approximately 2m wide with a red brown silt sand fill, but was not further investigated during the evaluation.

Plate 2 Ditch 1603, looking south (1m scale)

5.13 Ditches 1605 and 1603 may represent flanking ditches of a trackway, possibly the former alignment of the trackway still evident to the south, leading from Tamworth Road to Islington Farm. Ditch 1605 broadly corresponds with a north-north-east orientated anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey (SUMO 2019). The continuation of this feature was recorded in Trench 15 as ditch 1503.

Trench 19 (Figs 3 and 6) 5.14 Located at the northern end of the trench was east/west orientated ditch 1903 (Fig. 6; section CC). It measured 0.66m wide and 0.22m deep and had an asymmetrical profile, with a steeply sloping southern side, a moderately sloping northern side and a base which sloped downwards from north to south. No finds were recovered from its mid brown, grey silt clay fill (1904).

21 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 6

22 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

5.15 Ditch 1903 corresponded with an anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey and coincided with a field boundary depicted on the 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map. The continuation of this ditch was recorded in Trench 31 as ditch 3103.

Trench 20 (Figs 3 and 7) 5.16 Pit 2002 was partially revealed emanating from the eastern baulk of the trench (Fig. 7; section DD). It measured in 0.5m long, 0.68m wide and 0.17m deep. No finds were recovered from its dark grey black fill (2003), from which a bulk environmental sample (Sample 1) was taken. The recovered material comprised a high volume of rooty material and modern seeds, as well as a large quantity of charcoal fragments.

5.17 Pit 2002 coincided with an anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey.

Trench 29 (Fig. 3) 5.18 Located centrally with Trench 29 and emanating from its north-eastern baulk, pit/pond 2903 was partially revealed. It measured in excess of 6.4m wide and greater than 1m in length. No finds were recovered from the surface of its uppermost red brown sandy clay fill (2904).

5.19 Pit/pond 2903 coincides with a pond feature depicted on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1888 and was last depicted on the 1967 Ordnance Survey Map. By the time of the 1972 Ordnance survey, the feature is no longer depicted. The continuation of this feature is recorded in Trenches 44 and 45 as pits 4403 and 4503 respectively.

Trench 31 (Figs 3 & 8) 5.20 Located centrally within the trench was east/west orientated ditch 3103 (Fig. 8; section EE). It measured 0.93m and 0.31m deep, and had an asymmetrical profile with a moderately sloping north-eastern side, a steeply sloping south-western side and a slightly concave base. No finds were recovered from its dark red grey, clay silt fill (3104).

5.21 Ditch 3103 broadly corresponded with an anomaly depicted on the geophysical survey and coincided with a field boundary depicted on the 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map. The continuation of this ditch was recorded in Trench 19 as ditch 1903.

23 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 7

24 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Fig. 8

25 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 44 (Fig. 3) 5.22 Pit/pond 4403 was partially revealed emanating from the south-eastern end of the trench. It measured in excess of 3.5m long and greater than 2m wide. No finds were recovered from the surface of its uppermost red brown sandy clay fill (4404).

5.23 Pit/pond 4403 coincides with a pond feature depicted on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1888 and was last depicted on the 1967 Ordnance Survey Map. By the time of the 1972 Ordnance survey, the feature is no longer depicted. The continuation of this feature is recorded in Trenches 29 and 45 as pits 2903 and 4503 respectively.

Trench 45 (Fig. 3 & Plate 3) 5.24 Pit/pond 4503 was partially revealed at the south-western end of the trench and extending beyond its limits. It measured in excess of 4m in length, greater than 1.8m in width and, where excavated, up to 0.31m in depth.

Plate 3 Pond 4503, looking north-west (1m scales)

5.25 No finds were recovered from its three exposed fills, all of which appeared to have been deposited by deliberate acts of backfilling. The earliest encountered fill (4504)

26 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

comprised mid grey brown silty clay, which was overlain by dark brown grey silty clay (4505). This was in turn overlain by mid red brown silt clay redeposited natural (4506).

5.26 Pit/pond 4503 was first depicted on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1888 and was last depicted on the 1967 Ordnance Survey Map. By the time of the 1972 Ordnance survey, the feature is no longer depicted. The continuation of this feature is recorded in Trenches 29 and 44 as pits 2903 and 4403 respectively.

27 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

7.1 A single sample of six litres was processed from pit 2002 within trench 20 to evaluate the preservation of palaeoenvironmental remains across the area and with the intention of recovering environmental evidence of domestic or industrial activity on the site. It was hoped that the environmental assemblage might also assist in determining the date of the pit. The sample was processed by standard flotation procedures (CA Technical Manual No.2).

7.2 Preliminary identifications of plant macrofossils are noted in Table 1, following nomenclature of Stace (1997).

Trench 20 7.3 The single fill 2003 of pit 2002 (Sample 1) contained a high volume of rooty material and modern seeds. A large quantity of charcoal fragments greater than 2mm was also noted during assessment which contained some pieces of round wood charcoal and oak (Quercus sp.). No charred cereal grains were recovered and only a single charred dock (Rumex sp.) seed was recorded.

7.4 The recovered environmental assemblage provides no indication of the date of pit 2002 and does not clearly indicate that any industrial activity was taking place within the nearby vicinity. Due to the high quantity of charcoal fragments greater than 2mm including round wood pieces, it can be stated that this likely represents a dump of hearth waste.

28 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

8. DISCUSSION

8.1 Archaeological interest in the site is derived from its location in the north-eastern corner of the medieval parish of Kingsbury, with the parish boundary following both the northern and eastern bounds of the site. A previous geophysical survey of the site did not identify any definite archaeological anomalies, although evidence for modern ploughing was visible across much of the site. Old field boundaries, a trackway and the locations of two former ponds were also present.

8.2 Where archaeological features were encountered during the current trenching there was a good correlation with the results of the preceding geophysical survey, although a few anomalies could not be located within the evaluation trenches.

8.3 The evaluation identified ditches and agricultural features, predominantly across the central part of the site. The alignments of the ditches appear to form a coherent field system, orientated broadly north/south and east/west, suggesting a common field system with an additional element on a north-west/south-east alignment. Spatial analysis and cartographic evidence suggests a degree of 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 cartographic evidence and morphological characteristics elements of the field systems have their origins within the medieval period, with subsequent post-medieval additions and remodelling. Modern ploughing and land drains appear to respect one another and fit within the identified field system. The field system is formed from parts of at least two contiguous fields, which appear contemporaneous, with a variant north-west/south-east orientated sub-division. The slight variation in the alignment of these ditches within the site can be ascribed to the small sample area evaluated; however, they do in the main run parallel and perpendicular to each other. The putative field system comprised ditches 1303, 1503, 1601, 1603, 1903, and 3103, with ploughing and land drains within the same orientation noted across the eastern part of the site. No dateable material was recovered from these features, which are attributed to the medieval and post-medieval/modern periods based on cartographic evidence and morphological characteristics (Plate 4).

8.4 Pit/pond 2903/4403/4503 relates to pond feature first depicted on the 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map and last seen on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1967 (Plate 4). Although no dateable material was recovered from the fills of the pond,

29 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

cartographic evidence and the nature of the deposits encountered, suggests that it was deliberately backfilled in the modern period, at some point between 1967 and 1972. Further presumed evidence of post-medieval activity comprised the flanking ditches (1603 & 1605) of a possible trackway, formed from elements of the putative field system. The trackway appears to lead to, and from, the settlement identified at Wood End to the west, connecting it with the surrounding agricultural landscape. The character of the archaeology found within the site is characteristic of agricultural activity on the periphery of rural settlement during the post-medieval period.

Plate 4 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map

30 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

9. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Eilidh Barr and Dale Langford, assisted by Luke Bateson, Fanny Dubuc, Arizona Mosby and Enrico Ravanetti. The report was written by Eilidh Barr, with the biological evidence report written by Emma Aitken. The illustrations were prepared by Eleonor Cox. The archive has been compiled by Emily Evans and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Stuart Joyce.

10. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2019 Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 17 April 2019

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2019 Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

CIfA 2014 Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation

CgMs 2018 Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: desk-based assessment. Ref: NC24164

EH (English Heritage) 2008 Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Planning Note 3

EH (English Heritage) 2015 Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide

MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) 2019 National Planning Policy Framework

Stace, C. 1997 New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press Books

SUMO 2019 Islington Farm, Wood End, Warwickshire: geophysical survey report. Ref: 14478

31 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

32 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill Description Length Width Depth No No of (M) (M) (M) 1 100 - - Not yet investigated – access - - - problems 2 200 - - Not yet investigated – access - - - problems 3 300 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.25 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 3 301 Natural - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.25 with large patches of silt inclusions, wounded pebbles and angular stone inclusions 4 400 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.2 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 4 401 Natural - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.2 with large patches of silt inclusions, wounded pebbles and angular stone inclusions 5 500 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.42 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 5 501 Natural - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.42 with large patches of silt inclusions, wounded pebbles and angular stone inclusions 6 600 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.29 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 6 601 Natural - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.29 with large patches of silt inclusions, wounded pebbles and angular stone inclusions 6 602 cut - Circular in plan, concave sides 0.4 0.66 0.07 with gentle break of slope, concave base 6 603 Fill 602 Dark grey black, silt clay, friable 0.4 0.66 0.07 with flecks of charcoal 7 700 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.29 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic

33 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

building material and pottery 7 701 Natural - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.29 with large patches of silt inclusions, wounded pebbles and angular stone inclusions 8 800 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.18 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 8 801 Natural - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.18 with large patches of silt inclusions, wounded pebbles and angular stone inclusions 9 900 - - Not yet investigated – access - - - problems 10 1000 - - Not yet investigated – access - - - problems 11 1100 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.5 friable, with frequent small - medium sub angular stone inclusions. 11 1101 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.4 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 11 1102 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.9 friable with frequent sand stone inclusions 12 1200 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.3 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 12 1201 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silty sand, 30 1.8 0.39 friable with pebbled inclusions 12 1202 Natural - Mottled red brown with 30 1.8 >0.69 orange brown, clay with patches of silt, mixed rounded and angular stone inclusions <20% 13 1300 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.33 friable, with frequent small - medium sub angular stone inclusions. 13 1301 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.41 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 13 1302 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.74 friable with frequent sand stone inclusions 13 1303 Cut - Cut of ditch. Orientated 30 1.8 0.15

34 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

north/south across the trench, concave sides and base, very shallow 13 1304 Fill 1303 Dark, brown, red, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.15 friable, pebbled, sand stone inclusions 14 1400 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, loose, 30 1.8 0.3 rooting, and small stone inclusions 14 1401 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.39 friable, with pebbled inclusions 14 1402 Natural - Mottled red brown, clay with 30 1.8 >0.39 patches of silt, mixed rounded and angular stone inclusions <20% 15 1500 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, loose, 30 1.8 0.36 rooting, and small stone inclusions 15 1501 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.2 friable, with pebbled inclusions 15 1502 Natural - Mottled red brown, clay with 30 1.8 >0.56 patches of silt, mixed rounded and angular stone inclusions <20% 15 1503 Cut - Ditch, with straight sides and a 1.8 1.07 0.74 slightly uneven flat base. 15 1504 Fill 1504 Dark pink brown, sand silt, 1.8 1.07 0.74 friable, small pebbles and ceramic building material fragments 16 1600 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt clay, with 30 1.8 0.3 rooting and small stone inclusions and modern ceramic building material and pottery 16 1601 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.55 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 16 1602 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.55 friable with frequent sand stone inclusions 16 1603 Cut - Natural hollow with concave >1 >0.9 0.15 sides with a gentle break of slope and a slight concave base 16 1604 Fill 1603 Mid red brown, silt sand, loose, >1 >0.9 0.15 with frequent small rounded stone inclusions 16 1605 Cut - Unexcavated 2 >1.8 - 16 1606 Fill 1605 Mid red brown, silt sand 2 >1.8 - 17 1700 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.23 friable, with frequent small -

35 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

medium sub angular stone inclusions. 17 1701 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.12 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 17 1702 Natural - Mixed, mid red brown, and mid 30 1.8 >0.35 yellow brown, silt clay, compact with small – medium rounded stone inclusions 18 1800 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sandy silt, 30 1.8 0.32 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions 10% 18 1801 Subsoil - Mid orange red brown, silt 30 1.8 0.4 clay, friable with small rounded stone inclusions 18 1802 Natural - Mid pink red brown clay, with 30 1.8 >0.36 occasional patches of gravel. 19 1900 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.38 friable with a moderate amount of small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions 19 1901 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.12 moderately compact with occasional small-medium sub rounded stone 19 1902 Natural - Mid brown red, silt clay, mod 30 1.8 >0.5 compact, rare small –medium sub rounded stones 19 1903 Cut - Concave sides with a moderate 1.8 0.66 0.22 break of slop, concave rounded base runs east to west 19 1904 Fill 1903 Mid brown grey, silt clay, 1.8 0.66 0.22 compact, with few small rounded and sub rounded stones 20 2000 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.37 friable with a moderate amount of small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions 20 2001 Natural - Mottled mid brown red and 30 1.8 >0.37 mid yellow brown, silt clay, mod compact, rare small – medium sub rounded stone patches 20 2002 Cut - Cut of possible pit 0.5 0.68 0.17 20 2003 Fill 2002 Dark grey black, clay silt, friable 0.5 0.68 0.17 with frequent flecks of charcoal 21 2100 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.41 friable with a moderate amount of small- medium sub

36 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

rounded stone inclusions 21 2101 Natural - Mottled mid brown red and 30 1.8 0.41 mid yellow brown, silt clay, mod compact, rare small – medium sub rounded stone patches 22 2200 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.4 friable with a moderate amount of small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions 22 2201 Natural - Mottled mid brown red and 30 1.8 >0.4 mid yellow brown, silt clay, mod compact, rare small – medium sub rounded stone patches 23 2300 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.36 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 23 2301 Natural - Mottled mid yellow brown and 30 1.8 >0.36 light brownish grey which changes to reddish brown in the south west, silty clay, moderately compact, with moderate small-medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 24 2400 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.32 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 24 2401 Natural - Mottled mid yellow brown and 30 1.8 >0.32 light brownish grey which changes to reddish brown in the south west, silty clay, moderately compact, with moderate small-medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 25 2500 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.27 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 25 2501 Natural - Mottled mid yellow brown and 30 1.8 >0.27 light brownish grey which changes to reddish brown in the south west, silty clay, moderately compact, with moderate small-medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 26 2600 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.3 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone

37 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

inclusions. 26 2601 Subsoil - Mid orangey brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.1 moderately compact, occasional small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 26 2602 Natural - Mid brown red, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.4 moderately compact, rare small sub rounded stone inclusions. 27 2700 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.31 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 27 2701 Natural - Mid orangey brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.31 moderately compact, occasional small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 28 2800 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.36 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 28 2801 Natural - Mid brown red, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.36 moderately compact, rare small sub rounded stone inclusions. 29 2900 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.25 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 29 2901 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.15 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 29 2902 Natural - Dark brown red, clay, with 30 1.8 >0.4 patches of mid yellow grey, silt sand and patches of rounded stones. 29 2903 Cut Large pit, most likely former pond depicted on 1888 First Edition OS Map. 29 2904 Fill 2903 Red brown sandy silt. Not >6.4 >1 excavated 30 3000 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.3 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 30 3001 Subsoil - Mid orangey brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.1 moderately compact, occasional small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 30 3002 Natural - Mid brown red, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.4

38 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

moderately compact, rare small sub rounded stone inclusions. 31 3100 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.38 friable, moderate small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 31 3101 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.12 moderately compact, occasional small- medium sub rounded stone inclusions. 31 3102 Natural - Mid brown red, silt clay, 30 1.8 >0.5 moderately compact, rare small sub rounded stone inclusions. 31 3103 Cut - Ditch, moderately concave 1.8 0.93 0.31 sides and a rounded base 31 3104 Fill 3103 Dark red grey, clay silt, loose, 1.8 0.93 0.31 pebbles, roots inclusions 32 3200 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.29 loose with rooting and small stone inclusions 32 3201 Subsoil - Mid brown orange, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.9 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions 32 3202 Natural - Mid brown orange, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.38 with large gravel patches 33 3300 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt sand, loose, rooting and small stone inclusions 33 3301 Natural - Mid yellow brown, silt sand 30 1.8 >31 with large gravel inclusions 34 3400 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.5 friable, with frequent small - medium sub angular stone inclusions. 34 3401 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.4 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions. 34 3402 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.9 friable, frequent small-medium rounded stone inclusions. 35 3500 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silty sand, 30 1.8 0.27 loose, rooting and small rounded stone inclusions <10% 35 3501 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silty sand, 30 1.8 0.3 friable with small rounded stone inclusions 35 3502 Natural - Mottled mid red brown and 30 1.8 >0.57 light orange brown, silt with

39 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

large patches of gravel 36 3600 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silty sand, 30 1.8 0.3 rooting and small stone inclusions <10%. 36 3601 Subsoil - Mid red brown, silty clay, 30 1.8 0.3 friable with occasional pebble inclusions <10% 36 3602 Natural - Mid red brown, silty clay with 30 1.8 >0.72 large dark red silty patches, friable with manganese inclusions <20% 36 3603 Cut - Field drain, with concave >1.8 0.72 0.76 vertical sides and sharp break of slope and rounded base 36 3604 Fill 3603 Mixed red brown, yellow >1.8 0.72 0.76 orange and grey brown, mixed sand clay and silt sand, small- medium rounded inclusions 37 3700 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silty sand, 30 1.8 0.38 rooting and small stone inclusions <10%. 37 3701 Subsoil - Mid red brown, silty clay, 30 1.8 0.17 friable with occasional pebble inclusions <10% 37 3702 Natural - Mid red brown, silty clay with 30 1.8 >0.62 large dark red silty patches, friable with manganese inclusions <20% 38 3800 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.39 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions <5% 38 3801 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.3 friable, small medium stone inclusions. 38 3802 Natural - Mid red brown, silt clay with 30 1.8 >0.69 large patches of silt inclusions, and large chunks of sandstone <20% 39 3900 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.4 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions <5% 39 3901 Subsoil - Mid orange brown, silt clay, 30 1.8 0.6 friable, small medium stone inclusions. 39 3902 Natural - Mid red brown, silt clay with 30 1.8 >1 large patches of silt inclusions, and large chunks of sandstone <20% 40 4000 Topsoil - Mid red brown, silt sand, loose 30 1.8 0.32 with roots and small stone inclusions <5%

40 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

40 4001 Subsoil - Mid brown red, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.24 friable with small sub angular stone inclusions 40 4002 Natural - Mid brown silt sand compact 30 1.8 >0.56 with few small sub angular stone inclusions. 41 4100 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.3 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions 41 4101 Subsoil - Mid brown orange, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.04 friable with small round stone inclusions 41 4102 Natural - Mid brown orange, silt sand 30 1.8 >0.34 with large gravel patches 42 4200 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.42 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions 42 4201 Subsoil - Mid brown orange, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.13 friable with small round stone inclusions 42 4202 Natural - Mid brown orange, silt sand 30 1.8 0.55 with large gravel patches 43 4300 Topsoil - Mid grey brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.44 loose, rooting and small stone inclusions 43 4301 Subsoil - Mid brown orange, silt sand, 30 1.8 0.08 friable with small round stone inclusions 43 4302 Natural - Mid brown orange, silt sand 30 1.8 >0.52 with large gravel patches 44 4400 Topsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.25 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 44 4401 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.09 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 44 4402 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.34 friable with frequent sand stone inclusions 44 4403 Cut Pit/pond depicted on the 1888 3.5 2 OS map 44 4404 Fill 4403 Red brown sandy clay 3.5 2 45 4500 Topsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.04 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 45 4501 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.02 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone

inclusions 45 4502 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.6 friable with frequent sand stone inclusions 45 4503 Cut - Sub-circular in plan, concave >4 >1.8 0.31 on the north west limit of excavation. 45 4504 Fill 4503 Mid grey brown, silt clay, >1.8 2.75 0.31 slightly compact with rare sub angular stones 45 4505 Fill 4503 Dark brown grey silty clay, >1.8 1.4 0.25 slightly compact, frequent small sub angular stones 45 4506 Fill 4503 Mid red brown, slightly >1.8 >0.65 0.27 compact with small rounded stones 46 4600 Topsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.3 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 46 4601 Subsoil - Mid red brown, sand silt, 30 1.8 0.2 compact, with frequent small- medium sub-angular stone inclusions 46 4602 Natural - Mid red yellow, silt sand, 30 1.8 >0.5 friable with frequent sand stone inclusions

APPENDIX B: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Table 1 Assessment of the palaeoenvironmental remains

Flot Volume size Roots Cereal Charred Notes for Charcoal Feature Context Sample (L) (ml) % Grain Chaff Notes Other Table > 4/2mm Other Pit Rumex 2002 2003 1 6 90 50 - - - * sp. *****/***** -

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire Short description Between April and May 2019, Cotswold Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire. The evaluation was undertaken to inform a planning application for the residential development of the site. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of forty-two trenches. Archaeological interest in the site is derived from its location in the north-eastern corner of the medieval parish of Kingsbury, with the parish boundary following both the northern and eastern bounds of the site. A previous geophysical survey of the site did not identify any definite archaeological anomalies, although evidence for modern ploughing was visible across much of the site. Old field boundaries, a trackway and the locations of two former ponds were also present. Where archaeological features were encountered during the current trenching there was a good correlation with the results of the preceding geophysical survey, although a few anomalies could not be located within the evaluation trenches. The evaluation identified ditches and agricultural features across the site. The alignments of these ditches suggest a co-axial field system aligned broadly north/south and east/west, with a sub- division orientated north-west/south-east, forming parts of at least two, but likely more contiguous fields. Elements of this field system also appear to form flanking ditches of a possible trackway identified within the central part of the site. No dateable material was recovered from these features, which are attributed to the medieval and post-medieval/modern periods based on cartographic evidence and morphological characteristics. The ditches fit within the general alignment of the surrounding field systems as depicted on historic and current Ordnance Survey mapping. A pond located in the south-eastern part of the site is depicted on the 1888 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map and last seen on the Ordnance Survey Map of 1967. Project dates 30th April to 10th May 2019 Project type Trial Trench Evaluation Previous work DBA (CgMs 2018) Geophysical Survey (SUMO 2019) Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire Study area (M2/ha) 6.4ha Site co-ordinates 424820 298210 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Stuart Joyce Project Supervisor Eilidh Barr MONUMENT TYPE Post-medieval ditches and undated pits SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content Physical N/A None Paper Warwick Museum WSI, pro-forma sheets, registers Digital Warwickshire HER Database, digital photos, survey data BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2019 Land at Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA report no. MK0063_1

45 4 424000 4 426000 2 2

330100001000 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0

229900099000

229700097000

CITY OF CITY OF Andover 01264 347630 NOTTINGHAM STOKE-ON- N Cirencester 01285 771022 TRENT CITY OF Exeter 01392 573970 DERBY Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 STAFFORDSHIRE w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk HIRE e [email protected] STERS PROJECT TITLE LEICE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone,

CITY OF Warwickshire LEICESTER FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

WORCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE 0 1km DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 CHECKED BY DJB DATE 16/05/2019 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Ordnance Survey 0100031673 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 A

Area 1A, looking south-west

Area 1D, looking north-east

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 16/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A4 N/A 2 4424750 4424500 2 2 4 4 N 7 5 5 0 0 0

Boulters Lane

124.2m 2A

T38 T37 T36 Site Boundary Area 1b T11 T39 Trench T13 Proposed evaluation trench Feature T14 Modern T40 T34 Field Drain Rapid pre-ex Islington Farm T41 2A Direction of photograph T35 T15 T12 T42 8 Area 1a KEY T8 Area 1c T33 7 Uncertain Origin (discrete anomaly / trend / T16 increased response)

T7 Former field boundary (corroborated) 229825098250 T17 T32 T43 T6 T44 Former field boundary (conjectural) T45 Agriculture (plough) Area 1d T5 T18 T4 Land drain T19 9 T46 2 Natural (e.g. geological / pedological) T31 T3 T29 T20 Former pond (corroborated) T30 6 T26 T28 3 Ferrous 2B Area 1e Geophysical survey results Sumo Ltd 2018 5 T21 T27 1:1500 4 1 0 50m T25 © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 113a T23

T22 Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 117 T24 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

Tamworth Road PROJECT TITLE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench plan

Mapping contents (c) Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey 100035207

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 16/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A3 1:1500 3 Trench 6 N

Evaluation trench Archaeological feature (excavated/unexcavated) A A Section location

West facing section of pit 602 (0.3m scale)

ppitit A 602602

Section AA

NS 129.6 m AOD 603 ppitit 660202

1:20 01:200 10m 01m Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Pit 602: Plan, section and photograph

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 21/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A3 1:200/ 1:20 4 Trench 15 N Evaluation trench Archaeological feature (excavated/ unexcavated) B B A A Section location

dditchitch 15031503

South facing section of ditch 1503 (1m scale)

Section BB

WE 129.6 m AOD

1504 01:200 10m

dditchitch 11503503

1:20 01m Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Ditch 1503: Plan, section and photograph

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 21/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A3 1:200/ 1:20 5 Trench 19 N

C dditchitch 11903903

Evaluation trench Archaeological feature (excavated/ unexcavated) A A Section location Field Drain

East facing section of ditch 1903 (0.5m scale)

01:200 10m

Section CC

SN 129.7 m AOD 1900

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 1901 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 1904 e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE dditchitch 11903903 Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Ditch 1903: Plan, section and 01m1:20 photograph

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 21/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A3 1:200/ 1:20 6 Trench 20 N

Evaluation trench D Archaeological feature

ppitit (excavated/ unexcavated) 22002002 D A A Section location Field Drain

West facing section of pit 2002 (1m scale)

Section DD

W EN S 129.3 m AOD

2000

2003 2001

2003 ppitit 20022002

PROJECT TITLE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Pit 2002: Plan, section and photograph

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 21/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A3 1:200/ 1:20 7 Trench 31 N

E dditchitch 33103103

Evaluation trench Archaeological feature (excavated/ unexcavated) A A Section location Field Drain

01:200 10m

Section EE West facing section of ditch 3103 (1m scale)

NS 130.6 m AOD

3104

dditchitch 33103103

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 1:20 01m Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Islington Farm, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire

FIGURE TITLE Ditch 3103: Plan, section and photograph

DRAWN BY EC PROJECT NO. MK0063 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 21/05/19 APPROVED BY EB SCALE@A3 1:200/ 1:20 8