Aspire Defence Capital Works
Army Basing Programme
Larkhill Garrison – Interim Archaeological Evaluation Report – ABHGEN and ABJGEN.
June 2018
27-XXXGEN-47-RT-E5-041 Larkhill Garrison – Interim Archaeoloigcal Evaluation Report
27-XXXGEN-47-RT-E5-041 2 Larkhill Garrison – Interim Archaeoloigcal Evaluation Report
Rev. Date Purpose of Issue Author Chkd. Appr. 01 15/05/18 Issue to FusionLive WA GGS DK 02 22/06/18 Issued to FusionLive WA GGS DK
27-XXXGEN-47-RT-E5-041 3 Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Areas 2002 (ABHGEN) and 2003 (ABJGEN) Post-excavation Assessment
Ref: 109516.11 June 2018
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Document title Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp: Areas 2002 (ABHGEN) and 2003 (ABJGEN) Document subtitle Post-excavation Assessment Document reference 109516.11
Client name Aspire Defence Capital Works Address Aspire House, Princes Avenue, Aldershot GU11 2LF
Site location Larkhill Military Camp County Wiltshire National grid reference (NGR) 413050 145270 (SU 13050 45270) Statutory designations Planning authority Wiltshire Council Planning references 16/00032/FUL 15/06682/FUL Museum name Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
WA project code 109516 Dates of fieldwork 24/04/2017 to 14/07/2017 Fieldwork directed by Jamie McCarthy, with the assistance of Jon Sanigar, Piotr Orczewski, Emma Robertson, Tom Dawkins, Steve Legg, Tom Slater, Eva Estella, Briony Lalor, Virva Lompolo, Marion Plumer, Rachel Sawyer, Michael Trubee, Jennifer Loader, Orlagh Walsh, Alec Hutchins, Phoebe Hewitt, Daryl Freer, Phoebe Olsen and Tom Blencowe Project management by Ruth Panes Document compiled by Jamie McCarthy and Andrew Powell Contributions from Matt Leivers (pottery and other finds), Erica Gittins (flint), Jacqueline McKinley (human bone), Lorrain Higbee (animal bone), Ines Lopez Doriga (charred plant remains and charcoal), Alistair Barclay (radiocarbon dating) Graphics by Ken Lymer
Quality Assurance Issue & issue date Status Author Approved by 1 11/05/2018 External draft submitted to client JM AP
2 14/05/2018 External version reviewed by client JM AP
3 20/06/2018 Final Version SPB
Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp: Areas 2002 and 2003 Post-excavation Assessment
Contents Summary ...... iii Acknowledgements ...... iii 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Project and planning background ...... 1 1.2 Scope of the report ...... 2 1.3 Location, topography and geology ...... 2 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 2 2.1 Introduction ...... 2 2.2 Previous works related to the development ...... 3 2.3 Archaeological and historical context ...... 3 3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 4 3.1 Aims ...... 4 4 METHODS ...... 4 4.1 Introduction ...... 4 4.2 Fieldwork methods ...... 4 4.3 Finds and environmental strategies ...... 6 4.4 Monitoring...... 6 4.5 Methods of stratigraphic assessment and quantity of data ...... 6 5 STRATIGRAPHIC RESULTS ...... 7 5.1 Introduction ...... 7 5.2 Soil sequence and natural deposits ...... 7 5.3 Middle Neolithic 3350–2850 BC ...... 8 5.4 Beaker 2400–1800 BC ...... 10 5.5 Bronze Age 2200–700 BC ...... 11 5.6 Prehistoric ditches and associated features ...... 12 5.7 Romano-British ...... 14 5.8 Uncertain date ...... 14 5.9 Modern AD 1800–present ...... 15 6 FINDS EVIDENCE ...... 16 6.1 Introduction ...... 16 6.2 Pottery ...... 17 6.3 Worked flint ...... 19 6.4 Human bone ...... 21 6.5 Animal bone ...... 23 6.6 Stone ...... 24 6.7 Glass ...... 25 6.8 Other material ...... 25 7 ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 25 8 RADIOCARBON DATING ...... 26 9 STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL ...... 27 9.1 Stratigraphic potential ...... 27 9.2 Finds potential ...... 27 9.3 Environmental potential ...... 29 REFERENCES ...... 30 APPENDIX: ENVIRONMENTAL DATA ...... 33
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Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp: Areas 2002 and 2003 Post-excavation Assessment
List of Figures Figure 1 Site location plan Figure 2 Site plan of Area 2002 (ABHGEN) showing the archaeological phasing Figure 3 Site plan of Area 2003 (ABJGEN) showing the archaeological phasing Figure 4 Plan of roundhouse 20212 Figure 5 Radiocarbon dates obtained on selected human remains (OxCal v4.2)
List of Plates Cover: Working shot of the excavation of inhumation grave 18810, viewed from west Plate 1 Pit 19631, viewed from south, 0.2 m scale Plate 2 Pit 19690, viewed from north, 0.2 m scale Plate 3 Pit 19818, viewed from north, 0.2 m scale Plate 4 Pit 19902, viewed from south-east, 1.0 m scale Plate 5 West-facing section of pit 18551, 0.5 m scale Plate 6 Inhumation grave 18807, viewed from south-west, 0.5 m scale Plate 7 Inhumation grave 18810, viewed from west, 1.0 m scale Plate 8 Inhumation grave 19740, viewed from west, 0.1 m scale Plate 9 Inhumation grave 19009, viewed from north, 0.2 m scale
List of Tables Table 1 Quantification of excavation records Table 2 Summary of pits Table 3 Finds quantification by material type Table 4 Worked flint: composition of the assemblage Table 5 Human bone Table 6 Animal bone: number of identified specimens present (or NISP) by period Table 7 Sample provenance summary Table 8 Radiocarbon dates obtained on selected human remains (OxCal v4.2) Table 9 Animal bone: quantity and type of detailed information available from further study Table 10 Assessment of the charred plant remains and charcoal (Areas 2002 and 2003) Table 11 Assessment of the charred plant remains and charcoal from previous phase of work (Areas 2004 and 2012)
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Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp: Areas 2002 and 2003 Post-excavation Assessment
Summary Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Aspire Defence Capital Works to undertake archaeological mitigation works comprising strip, map and sample excavations over two development areas (Areas 2002 and 2003) in the northern part of Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, centred on NGR 413050 145270. The excavation in Area 2003 was preceded by a trial trench evaluation; in addition, a watching brief was maintained during works for an access road at the south-west corner of Area 2002.
The works were carried out as a condition of planning permission granted by Wiltshire Council (16/00032/FUL) for the development of the northern part of the military camp (Area 2002 ABHGEN) as part of the Army Basing Programme (ABP), a major programme of construction involving the reconfiguration and refurbishment of existing military facilities on Defence Training Estate Salisbury Plain. The works had been preceded by a desk-based assessment and a geophysical survey. The evaluation and excavations were undertaken from 24 April to 14 July 2017. The watching brief was undertaken on 5 February 2018.
The purpose of this report is to provide the provisional results for Areas 2002 and 2003, and to assess their potential to address the research aims outlined in the written scheme of investigation. In due course the combined finding of the wider mitigation works relating to the Army Basing Programme will be assessed, and a combined updated project design produced containing revised and final proposals for analysis, public dissemination of the results through publication, and arrangements for the curation of the archive.
The excavations have added significant new information to the understanding of the prehistoric occupation and use of the land occupied by Larkhill Camp. Extensive evidence of Middle Neolithic activity was identified along with Beaker-associated activity, including mortuary activity. In both periods that activity involved the digging of pits, most of them in small groups of three of four, within which cultural material, predominantly pottery (Peterborough Ware and Beaker), worked flints, animal bone, burnt flint, fired clay and stone had been deposited with varying degrees of formality. Two of the Beaker pits also contained small quantities of human remains.
The later prehistoric period is represented by two inhumation burials radiocarbon dated to the Middle Bronze Age, and an extensive rectilinear field and trackway system, with two of the ditches containing child burials (one neonate and one infant). A single roundhouse may also be of late prehistoric date. The field system was cut across by an arrangement of ditches dating to the Romano-British period.
The site also provides evidence for the historical use of Larkhill military camp. The presence of WWI practice trenches adds to the extensive WWI training facilities discovered by the Larkhill Golf Course and provides further understanding of the level of training and preparation undertaken prior to army personnel being sent to fight in Europe. The two WWII buildings uncovered were recorded on Ordnance Survey maps from the time, so their discovery only confirms their exact locations within the context of the camp, however, the identification of four associated WWII air raid shelter trenches is a likely addition to the record.
Acknowledgements Wessex Archaeology would like to thank David Keeble of Aspire Defence Capital Works, for commissioning the archaeological investigations. Many thanks are also due to Alan Curtis, Mike Lockwood and Hamish Carr of Aspire Defence Capital Works for their help and assistance during the course of the project. Wessex Archaeology is also grateful for the advice of Clare King (Assistant County Archaeologist, Wiltshire Council Archaeological Services) who monitored the
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Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp: Areas 2002 and 2003 Post-excavation Assessment project for Wiltshire Council. On-site, contractors Dyer and Butler are also thanked for their cooperation and help.
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Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp: Areas 2002 and 2003 Post-excavation Assessment
Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Camp Areas 2002 (ABHGEN) and 2003 (ABJGEN)
Post-excavation Interim Assessment
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project and planning background
1.1.1 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Aspire Defence Capital Works (‘the client’), to undertake archaeological mitigation works comprising strip, map and sample excavations over two development areas in the northern part of Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, SP4 8RB (Fig. 1), centred on NGR 413050 145270, preceded in one of the areas by a trial trench evaluation. Area 2002 (ABHGEN) covered 49,683 m² centred on NGR 413060 145320; Area 2003 (ABSGEN), which was subject to the evaluation, covered 6593 m² centred on NGR 413120 145120. In addition, a watching brief was maintained during works for an access road at the south-west corner of Area 2002, covering 327 m².
1.1.2 A hybrid planning application (15/06682/FUL) was approved in April 2016 for the re- development of Larkhill Camp and this includes area 2003 (ABJGEN). The work within Area 2002 ABHGEN was carried out as a condition (Condition 9) of a separate detailed planning permission (16/00032/FUL) for the development of the northern part of the military camp. Area 2002 will comprise of the construction of two new Messes and four new Single Living Accommodation blocks, with associated works including new access roads, car parking, landscaping, and demolition of five building assets. Area 2003 will comprise the construction of a new all-weather sports pitch.
1.1.3 The mitigation works were part of a programme of ongoing archaeological works covering Larkhill, Bulford, Perham Down and Tidworth military camps. A desk-based assessment (DBA) was prepared for the entirety of Larkhill camp in 2014 (Wessex Archaeology 2014a). A geophysical survey of Area 2002 undertaken in 2015 (Wessex Archaeology 2015a) revealed several features of probable archaeological interest.
1.1.4 The mitigation works were undertaken in accordance with a written scheme of investigation (WSI) (Wessex Archaeology 2015b), which detailed the aims, methodologies and standards to be employed for both the fieldwork and the post-excavation work. The WSI was approved by Clare King, Assistant County Archaeologist for Wiltshire Council Archaeological Services (WCAS) on behalf of the Local Planning Authority (LPA), prior to fieldwork commencing.
1.1.5 Following discussions with the client and the Wiltshire Assistant County Archaeologist, and because of the potential for unexploded ordnance in Area 2002, it was decided to proceed with a strip, map and record excavation (with UXO trained banksman present) rather than undertaking the trench evaluation originally proposed in the WSI. Area 2003 was evaluated (comprising seven trenches) in accordance with the WSI, and after consultation with the client and the Wiltshire Assistant County Archaeologist it was decided to proceed with a strip, map and record excavation to mitigate the impact of the development. The evaluation and excavations were undertaken from 24 April to 14 July 2017. The watching brief was undertaken on 5 February 2018.
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1.2 Scope of the report 1.2.1 The purpose of this report is to provide the provisional results of the excavations (Area 2002 and 2003, including the results of the preceding evaluation in Area 2003), and to assess the potential of the results to address the research aims outlined in the WSI.
1.2.2 As further phases of mitigation works relating to the Army Basing Programme are still to be completed, this report contains no proposals for further analysis of the results. When the ABP mitigation works are completed, the combined finding of the excavations will be assessed, and a combined updated project design produced containing revised and final proposals for analysis, public dissemination of the results through publication, and arrangements for the curation of the archive.
1.3 Location, topography and geology 1.3.1 Larkhill Camp is sited approximately 3 km north-west of Amesbury and 14 km north of Salisbury. The excavation areas lie some 3 km north of Stonehenge.
1.3.2 Larkhill Camp is currently home to the Royal School of Artillery. The military facility contains a considerable number of structures, including accommodation blocks, messing and recreation facilities, technical support, administration, stores and the main training complex. It also contains several large parcels of open ground (including sports pitches and training grounds) particularly to the west and north, and to the west of Stirling Barracks.
1.3.3 Much of the central part of the camp is structured around a rectilinear gridded street plan. The main arterial route bisecting Larkhill Camp, the Packway, also defines the northern boundary of the Stonehenge part of the World Heritage Site (WHS) of Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites.
1.3.4 The military facility is largely self-contained, set as it is amid the open and undeveloped expanse of Salisbury Plain. Several fields, particularly immediately to the south of the camp, are under arable cultivation; undeveloped grassland predominates beyond. The majority of the surrounding landscape to the north forms part of the military training grounds. A number of plantations are located around the perimeter of the camp.
1.3.5 The excavation areas are located at the northern end of the camp (Fig. 1). Area 2003 is situated approximately 72 m south of Area 2002, separated by an east to west aligned road and landscaped woodland. Prior to excavation, Area 2002 was occupied by a series of sports pitches.
1.3.6 The two excavation areas are located on ground that slopes gently from north to south, dropping from approximately 145 m to 138 m OD. The underlying geology is mapped as Cretaceous Chalk of the Newhaven formation with no overlying superficial deposits (British Geological Survey online viewer).
2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 Larkhill Camp is located within an area of unparalleled importance in terms of prehistoric archaeology. The southernmost edge of the camp lies within the Stonehenge portion of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites WHS, while the entirety of the military camp also lies within an Area of Special Archaeological Significance, as defined within the 2011 Salisbury District Local Plan.
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2.1.2 A detailed account of the archaeological and historical background of Larkhill Camp can be found within the DBA (Wessex Archaeology 2014a) which considered the recorded historic environment resource within a 1 km study area around Larkhill Camp to assess the historical and archaeological potential. A summary relating specifically to Areas 2002 and 2003 within Larkhill Camp can be found below.
2.2 Previous works related to the development 2.2.1 In August 2005 Wessex Archaeology carried out an archaeological watching brief monitoring groundworks associated with the construction of a new football pitch at the northern end of Larkhill Camp, south-west of Area 2002 (Fig. 1) (Wessex Archaeology 2005). A single south-west to north-east orientated ditch was recorded, though no secure datable finds were recovered (but see Results, below). The ditch continued beyond the site boundary to the north-east. Military practice trenches were also identified.
2.2.2 In February 2009 the groundworks for the construction of Alanbrooke Barracks and the associated car park were monitored under an archaeological watching brief (Wessex Archaeology 2009) (Fig. 1). The northern part of this development, now the car park, revealed a concentration of archaeological features. This lies immediately south of Area 2003. The features consisted of 60 postholes and six tree-throw holes, predominantly clustered in the north-west corner of the area. Twenty-five of the postholes were potentially prehistoric in date and the remainder were modern. Among the prehistoric postholes, two possible structures were identified: a fence line and a roundhouse, both possibly Late Bronze Age in date. A small assemblage of finds, including a sherd of Late Bronze Age flint tempered pottery, was recovered from the roundhouse.
2.2.3 In September–October 2014 an extensive series of test pits was excavated under archaeological watching brief across Larkhill Camp (Wessex Archaeology 2014b). Four of the test pits fell within Areas 2002 and 2003, but no archaeological features were recorded in them.
2.2.4 In July 2015 a geophysical (detailed gradiometer) survey of Area 2002, carried out in relation to the current planning application, detected anomalies of possible archaeological interest (Wessex Archaeology 2015a). Numerous linear anomalies were identified as potential archaeology as they did not correspond to former field boundaries and were not characteristic in their magnetic response of ceramic drainage. Some possible former thoroughfares relating to military activity were identified as well as an east–west trackway that aligns with a known 19th-century trackway linking The Bustard and Durrington. Early 20th-century military practice trenches were also identified.
2.3 Archaeological and historical context Neolithic 4000–2200 BC 2.3.1 Significant remains of Neolithic date are known within the immediate environs of the development areas. To the immediate west of Area 2002, on the other side of the camp perimeter fence, is the scheduled monument of Knighton long barrow (National List ID 1010052) (Fig. 1). It would appear that this barrow was deliberately located in a prominent position, possibly in order to create intervisibility with other contemporaneous monuments such as the Neolithic causewayed enclosure at Robin Hoods Ball (National List ID 1009593) to the north-west (English Heritage 2009), and the recently discovered causewayed enclosure overlooking the former Stonehenge Golf Course to the east of Larkhill Camp (Field and McOmish 2017; Wessex Archaeology forthcoming a).
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Modern AD 1800–present 2.3.2 Aerial photographs of Larkhill Camp revealed the presence of military digging, including possible early 20th-century military practice trenches within Area 2003 and the geophysical survey revealed similar trenches in Area 2002. As mentioned above, the 2005 watching brief also identified practice trenches. Extensive practice trenching has also been recorded at the recent excavation of the land adjacent to the Stonehenge Golf Course (Wessex Archaeology forthcoming).
3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
3.1 Aims 3.1.1 The general aims of the excavation, as stated in the WSI, and in compliance with the CIfA’s Standard and guidance for archaeological excavation (CIfA 2014a), were to:
Determine the presence or absence of archaeological remains across the proposed ABP development areas and, should remains be present, to ensure their preservation by record to the highest possible standard;
Identify, within the constraints of the methods employed, the extent, date, character, relationship, condition and significance of archaeological features, artefacts and deposits;
Establish the stratigraphic sequence within the proposed ABP development areas, assess the degree of pre-existing impact to sub-surface horizons and to document the potential for and the extent and survival of archaeologically significant buried deposits;
Place any identified archaeological remains within their historical context, particularly with reference to the known archaeology of the Salisbury Plain area; and
Present the results of the investigative work in sufficient detail (via the production of interim reports and a final unified report) to allow informed decisions to be made concerning the archaeological potential of the proposed ABP development areas and to inform the scope and nature of any requirements for any potential further fieldwork.
4 METHODS
4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 The focus of this phase of excavation was split across two development areas at the northern end of Larkhill camp. Area 2002 (ABHGEN) consisted of a series of sports pitches, with the northern most edge following the perimeter fence. Area 2003 (ABJGEN) is situated about 72 m south of Area 2002.
4.1.2 All works were undertaken in accordance with the detailed methods set out within the WSI, and in general compliance with the standards outlined in CIfA guidance (CIfA 2014a). The methods employed are summarised below.
4.2 Fieldwork methods General 4.2.1 The topsoil/overburden was removed in level spits using a 360º excavator equipped with a toothless bucket, under the constant supervision and instruction of the monitoring
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archaeologist. Machine excavation proceeded in level spits until the archaeological horizon or the natural geology was exposed.
4.2.2 Where necessary, the surface of archaeological deposits were cleaned by hand to aid visual definition. A sample of archaeological features and deposits identified was hand- excavated, sufficient to address the aims of the excavation. A sample of natural features such as tree-throw holes was also investigated.
4.2.3 Spoil derived from both machine stripping and hand-excavated archaeological features was visually scanned for the purposes of finds retrieval. Where found, artefacts were collected and bagged by context. All artefacts from excavated contexts were retained, although those from features of modern date (19th century or later) were recorded on site and only a sample of them retained.
4.2.4 All buried services present were identified with a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and avoided entirely leaving a 5 m buffer either side of the service as stated in the Project Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS).
Area 2002 4.2.5 The proposed methodology for Area 2002 set out in the WSI was for the excavation of 39 evaluation trenches. After consultation with the client and Assistant County Archaeologist this methodology was revised to a strip, map and record excavation because of the potential for unexploded ordnance combined with the need to facilitate the initial groundworks for services. Initially an easement bisecting the area from east to west before turning towards the south-west corner was excavated by machine to allow for installation of a water service. No groundworks commenced within the easement until it had been cleared of archaeological features and signed off by the Assistant County Archaeologist. Following this the rest of the area was stripped.
Area 2003 4.2.6 The proposed methodology for Area 2003 set out in the WSI was for the excavation of six evaluation trenches (Trenches 185–190) measuring 25 m long and 1.6 m wide. Trench 185 was shortened and moved 3 m east so as to avoid buried services and a copse of trees. Trench 186 was moved to the northern edge so as to remove it from within this same copse. Trench 188 was moved about 5 m north so as to avoid buried services. Trench 189 was shortened by 5 m so as to not obstruct the site entrance. Trench 190 was split into two due to a buried service.
4.2.7 Following the results of the evaluation it was agreed by the Client and Assistant County Archaeologist that Area 2003 should immediately proceed to full strip map and record. This led to a series of small excavation areas being stripped so as to avoid the numerous buried services and the spoil heaps being generated from Area 2002.
Recording 4.2.8 All archaeological features and deposits were recorded using Wessex Archaeology's pro forma recording system. A complete drawn record of excavated features and deposits was made including both plans and sections drawn to appropriate scales (generally 1:20 or 1:50 for plans and 1:10 for sections), and tied to the Ordnance Survey (OS) National Grid. The Ordnance Datum (OD: Newlyn) heights of all principal features were calculated, and levels added to plans and section drawings.
4.2.9 A Leica GNSS connected to Leica’s SmartNet service surveyed the location of archaeological features. All survey data are recorded in OS National Grid coordinates and
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heights above OD (Newlyn), as defined by OSGM15 and OSTN15, with a three- dimensional accuracy of at least 50 mm.
4.2.10 A full photographic record was made using digital cameras equipped with an image sensor of not less than 10 megapixels. Digital images have been subject to managed quality control and curation processes, which has embedded appropriate metadata within the image and will ensure long term accessibility of the image set. Photographs of all human remains were taken using a Pentax K-50 mounting SMC Pentax-DAL AL WR 18– 55 mm lens for the purpose of producing a photogrammetric model. The number of photographs, photograph overlap, lens focal length and distance to subject were adjusted to suit the subject and site conditions.
4.2.11 All models were processed in Remake software (Autodesk, now superseded by Recap) and geo-referenced using GPS reference control points with a maximum tolerance of 30 mm. All models were exported as geo-referenced .obj files and added to the AutoCad project drawing as scaled images.
4.3 Finds and environmental strategies General 4.3.1 Appropriate strategies for the recovery, processing and assessment of artefacts and environmental samples were in line with those detailed in the WSI. The treatment of artefacts and environmental remains was in general accordance with Guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials (CIfA 2014b) and Environmental Archaeology: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Methods, from Sampling and Recovery to Post-excavation (English Heritage 2011).
Human remains 4.3.2 The human remains were removed under the terms of a Licence for the Removal of Human Remains held by Wessex Archaeology (Ref: 17-0096 dated 27 April 2017). The excavation and post-excavation assessment of human remains was in accordance with Wessex Archaeology protocols, and undertaken in line with current guidance documents (McKinley 2013) and the standards set out in CIfA Technical Paper 13 (McKinley and Roberts 1993).
4.4 Monitoring 4.4.1 Clare King, Assistant County Archaeologist of Wiltshire Council Archaeological Service, monitored the watching brief on behalf of the LPA. Any variations to the WSI, if required to better address the project aims, were agreed in advance with both the client and Clare King.
4.5 Methods of stratigraphic assessment and quantity of data 4.5.1 All hand written and drawn records from the excavation have been collated, checked for consistency and stratigraphic relationships. Key data have been transcribed into an Access database for assessment, which can be updated during any further analysis. The excavation has been preliminary phased using stratigraphic relationships and the spot dating from artefacts, particularly pottery. Table 1 provides a quantification of the records from the excavation.
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Table 1 Quantification of excavation records Type Quantity Context records 585 Context registers 23 Trench records 6 Graphics (A4 and A3) 167 Graphics (A1) 1 Graphics registers 9 Environmental sample registers 7 Environmental sample records 97 Object registers 2 Digital photographs 1387
5 STRATIGRAPHIC RESULTS
5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Archaeological features were recorded across both excavation areas, with no particular concentration in any one location (Fig. 1). They included 24 pits, most of them of prehistoric date, four inhumation burials, a roundhouse and an extensive field system surviving as boundary ditches (Figs 2 and 3). There was also evidence of historical activity in the form of a 19th-century trackway, early 20th-century practice trenches and mid 20th-century air raid shelter trenches, and a building.
5.1.2 There was extensive modern disturbance across both areas in the form of buried services, and a modern pavilion that was demolished prior to the site being stripped. The southern and south-eastern parts of Area 2002 were heavily disturbed through bioturbation resulting from the trees and shrubs that were also present prior to the site being stripped.
5.2 Soil sequence and natural deposits Area 2002 5.2.1 The machined overburden consisted of a layer of modern turf/topsoil at an average thickness of 0.2 m. This layer relates to the sports pitches that occupied Area 2002 prior to construction. Any original top or subsoils have been removed, presumably when the pitches were constructed. This deposit overlies the chalk natural.
5.2.2 The natural geology consists of Chalk. Presumably owing to the site strip that would have occurred during the construction of the sports pitches that occupied Area 2002, there is 0.1 m of heavily weathered and disturbed natural overlying the far cleaner geology. The larger archaeological linear features could be seen cutting this weathered layer, suggesting that it is natural geology that has been left exposed for a period of time. As such this material was removed so as to allow smaller features to be identified. Unavoidably this action added to the already heavy truncation seen across site.
5.2.3 The southern and eastern edges of the area were outside the extent of the sports pitches but still saw a similar level of truncation and disturbance owing to modern services and landscaping. Much of these edges were beneath planted trees and shrubs, resulting in heavy rooting disturbance to the underlying natural geology and any archaeological features present.
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5.2.4 Across the entirety of what used to be the sports pitches, the archaeological features contain a thin tertiary deposit seemingly resulting from previous site strips. This has led to intrusive material being found on the surface of features; prime example being pottery ranging in date from the Neolithic to the Iron Age being recovered from the surface of the field boundary ditches running across site.
Area 2003 5.2.5 Area 2003 contained a lot of modern disturbance relating to buried services and modern structures. The machined overburden consisted of 0.2 m of dark brown, silty loam topsoil. This overlay the natural chalk geology.
5.2.6 Trench 186 along the northern edge of the area revealed a 0.3 m thick layer of modern made ground underneath the topsoil, suggesting much, if not all, of the topsoil in this area is redeposited through modern activity.
5.3 Middle Neolithic 3350–2850 BC 5.3.1 Twelve of the prehistoric pits contained Middle Neolithic pottery. The majority of these were found in pairs or small groups (Groups 1–5), although in some cases quite widely spaced (Fig. 2). As a result, a further four pits that contained no pottery, but were within these groups, can be assigned to this period with reasonable confidence. All 16 potentially Middle Neolithic pits were in Area 2002. The pottery in another four more isolated pits (again all in Area 2002) could be characterised only as prehistoric. These too could be Middle Neolithic, although given the presence on the site also of at least two Beaker pits (see below), it is possible that some of those with prehistoric pottery were also of that later date. The small quantities of Romano-British pottery from the pits are intrusive; all came from the uppermost fills. A summary of all the pits is given in Table 2, listed by suggested group. Selected pits are described in further detail (below).
5.3.2 The tightest group (Group 3) comprised three pits all less than 1 m apart, while the three pits in suggested Group 5 were each approximately 10 m apart. The pits varied considerably in their size, depth, number of fills and contents, even within the suggested groups. They were generally circular or subcircular in shape, ranging from 0.5 m to over 1 m wide, and from less than 0.1 m to over 0.4 m deep, with up to three fills.
5.3.3 They contained a relatively limited range of finds, comprising pottery, worked flints, animal bone, burnt flint, fired clay and stone. Animal bone was the most common find, being recovered from all but one of the pits; the largest quantities were from Group 2 pits 19631 (3872 g) and 19690 (3118 g). The next most common find was pottery, most of which was identified as Peterborough Ware (from 12 pits); two pits contained small sherds identifiable only as prehistoric, and three pits contained no pottery. The largest quantity of worked flint (368 pieces, weighing 6048 g) came from pit 19818. Only four of the pits contained all six materials. One pit (19916) contained a piece (22 g) of ceramic building material (CBM) and an iron object (1 g), but the presence also of Peterborough Ware, worked flint, fired clay, stone and animal bone, suggests that the CBM and iron were intrusive.
5.3.4 Pit 19631, in the north-west quarter of Area 2002 (15 m east of another Neolithic pit 19690), measured 1.35 m by 1.05 m and was 0.35 m deep with steep straight edges, and a flat base (Plate 1). It contained a substantial amount of finds, including a large number of pig and cattle bones (including potential aurochs), dog bones, red deer antler, a large quantity of worked flint (including a core) and numerous sherds of Middle Neolithic pottery. The majority of the finds (including all the associated small finds) were found in deposit 19634/19662 lining the base of the pit, and appear to have been deliberately placed very
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shortly after the pit was excavated; this deposit consisted of greyish brown, very fine silty clay with very few coarse components. The overlying fill (19633/19661) consisted of dark greyish brown silty clay loam, and some of the animal bone from the underlying fill had intruded into it, possibly due to waterlogging when these layers were deposited. The pit’s uppermost fill (19632/19660), which consisted of dark greyish brown silty clay loam, had been disturbed by modern truncation.
Table 2 Summary of pits Pit Pit Width (m) Depth No. Pottery Flint Burnt Fired Stone Animal Other grp. (m) fills (no./g) (no.) flint (g) clay (g) (g) bone (g) Middle Neolithic 1 19615 1.12 x 1.18 0.42 4 2/3 preh 18 - - - 20 19619 0.90 x 0.94 0.26 2 - 9 14 - - 28 19635 0.82 x 1.14 0.26 2 3/7 MN - - - - - 2 19623 0.50 x 0.80 0.10 1 - 1 - - - 348 19631 1.05 x 1.35 0.35 3 9/84 MN 165 293 7 77 3872 1/1 RB 19688 0.60 x 0.64 0.09 1 - - - - - 419 19690 0.83 0.35 3 24/55 MN 251 556 17 767 3118 Cowrie 3 19711 0.58 x 0.70 0.19 1 12/24 MN 119 41 2 341 87 1/1 RB 19726 0.62 x 0.76 0.06 1 2/1 preh 4 - 10 138 454 19736 0.62 x 0.76 0.15 2 56/257 MN 62 25 - 258 470 4 19799 0.80 x 0.86 0.15 2 37/79 MN 36 162 2 - 449 19800 0.90 x 1.00 0.30 3 9/23 MN 52 280 1 12 978 5 19811 0.76 0.06 1 14/25 MN 27 7 2 5 27 19816 0.80 0.15 1 51/97 MN 7 - - - 3 19916 0.45 x 0.50 0.22 1 2/3 MN 47 - 2 9 1 CBM; Fe 2/2 RB - 19818 0.85 0.35 3 18/77 MN 368 6 - 6 85 7/8 RB - 20041 0.92 x 1.00 0.26 2 16/13 MN 6 749 - 21 3 Beaker 6 18551 0.70 0.52 6 31/97 Beak 160 535 12 180 89 Hum. bone 18560 0.60 0.12 1 1/52 preh 260 - 1 7 81 - 19902 1.64 x 2.10 0.36 4 22/85 Beak 245 - 4 59 - Hum. bone; 2/1 preh wkd. bone Romano-British - 20088 0.90 0.17 1 1/1 RB 28 - - 12 253 Undated 7 20015 1.45 0.37 3 - 9 95 - - 139 20024 0.90 x 0.95 0.44 7 - 10 - - - - 20077 1.30 0.70 3 - - - - - 278 Shell Key: MN = Middle Neolithic, Beak = Beaker, preh = prehistoric, RB = Romano-British
5.3.5 Pit 19690, 15 m to the west of pit 19631, was 0.83 m in diameter and 0.35 m deep with steep concave sides and a flat base (Plate 2). Much like pit 19631, it contained a substantial number of finds which appear to have been deliberately placed, the lack of weathering within the fills suggesting the pit was backfilled shortly after excavation. The finds include a large number of animal bones (cattle, pig and red deer) and numerous sherds of Middle Neolithic pottery. Of particular note were a piece of deer antler worked to form a handle or sheath, presumably for an axe or similar flint tool, and a cowrie shell. The
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initial deposit (19721/2) consisted of light greyish brown, very fine silty clay with very few coarse components, which appear to be the result of natural silting. Overlying this was a deliberate deposit of mid yellowish brown silty clay (19692/4), again with minimal coarse components suggesting rapid deposition over the placed objects. The pit was sealed with deliberate deposit of mid reddish brown silty clay loam (19691/3) containing far more inclusions largely derived from the modern truncation of the site.
5.3.6 Along the northern edge of Area 2002 a cluster of three small Middle Neolithic pits (19711, 19726 and 19736, Group 3) was identified, all containing large quantities of finds, despite each being heavily truncated by modern activity. Pit 19711 measured 0.58 m by 0.7 m and was 0.19 m deep, with steep concave sides and a concave base. It contained a single fill of dark brown silty clay loam with a moderate spread of chalk inclusions and pea grit. A single flint scraper was recovered along with animal bone, other worked flint and Middle Neolithic pottery. The random position of the finds suggests they were not deliberately placed. Pit 19726 measured 0.76 m by 0.62 m and was 0.06 m deep with shallow concave sides and an irregular base. Prehistoric pottery and a substantial amount of animal bone was recovered; the latter included bone possibly from an aurochs, although the state of preservation was too poor to identify it with certainty. Again, the position of the finds suggests they were not deliberately placed. Pit 19736 measured 0.76 m by 0.62 m and was 0.15 m deep with steep concave sides and an irregular base. A substantial quantity of finds was recovered, including animal bone, worked flint (including a scraper) and a large amount of Middle Neolithic pottery. Once again the placement of finds was very random, suggesting it was not deliberate.
5.3.7 A pair of Middle Neolithic pits (19799 and 19800, Group 4), less than 1 m apart, were identified on the western edge of Area 2002. Both contained similar assemblages of finds, including animal bone, worked flint and pottery. Almost half of the animal bone, comprising cattle, sheep/goat and pig, showed evidence of having been burnt. Pit 19799 measured 0.8 m by 0.86 m and was 0.18 m deep, with steep, straight sides and a flat base. It contained two deposits, the main (lower) deposit (19801/3), which contained most of the finds, consisting of a mid-greyish brown silty clay, with well sorted coarse components suggesting a very gradual deposition typical of weathering and erosion. This was sealed by a thin and truncated upper fill (19802/4), also containing finds. Pit 19800 measured 0.9 m by 1 m and was 0.3 m deep, with steep straight sides with a flat base. The pit contained three fills. The lowest (19805) consisted of light grey silty clay, very silky in texture, almost ash-like although without any flecks of charcoal. Finds were recovered from all the fills, but again did not appear to have been deliberately placed.
5.3.8 Pit 19818, a largely isolated feature in Area 2002, was 0.85 m in diameter and 0.35 m deep, with steep concave sides and a concave base (Plate 3). It was unique among the Middle Neolithic pits due to large quantity of worked flint (as opposed to predominantly animal bone) lining its base. The basal fill (19819/30) consisted of a 0.13 m thick deliberate deposit of very compact chalk dust with some charcoal flecking on the eastern edge. This was overlain by a 0.18 m deposit of chalk rubble (19820/31), and an upper fill of very dark brown silty clay loam (19821/32). Relatively small quantities of other finds (pottery, animal bone, burnt flint and stone) were also recovered.
5.4 Beaker 2400–1800 BC 5.4.1 Small quantities of Beaker pottery were recovered from a range of features, including two pits (19902 in Area 2002 and 18551 in Area 2003); another prehistoric pit (18560), close to pit 18551 may be associated. A posthole in a roundhouse (29212) in Area 2002, also contained a Beaker sherd, as did three ditches (20205, 20209, 20214), and a modern trackway wheel rut (19730), the material in these latter features being residual.
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5.4.2 In Area 2002, pit 19902 measured 2.1 m by 1.64 m with a depth of 0.36 m (Plate 4). The pit had an irregular/sub-oval shape with sides varying from straight to concave, steep to moderate; the base was flat. Following some initial edge collapse (19911), the pit contained three fills from which Beaker pottery and a substantial amount of worked flint was recovered. The pit also contained a small quantity (36 g) of redeposited disarticulated human bone, probably from one individual, a sample of which provided a radiocarbon date of 2350–2200 cal BC (SUERC-77418, 3825±23 cal BC) (Table 9).
5.4.3 In Area 2003, pit 18551 (Plate 5) was 0.72 m in diameter and 0.52 m deep, steep, slightly undercutting sides and a slightly concave base. Finds were distributed throughout the six fills and included Beaker pottery, animal bone, struck and burnt flint (including two scrapers and a blade), daub and a single human tooth. The basal deposit (18555) consisted of a dark greyish/black very fine silt with rare chalk and flint inclusions, and the lack of weathered material suggests it was deposited shortly after the pit was excavated. The pottery from this fill was concentrated within the centre of the pit, but the flint was more widespread. Most of the animal bone, which included fragments of cattle, sheep/goat and pig, showed evidence of burning. Following this deposit there appears to have been a collapse of the northern edge, before another dark brownish black fine silt backfill (18552) was deposited. At this point the pit appears to have been left open for a period, as there follows some minor collapse of the southern edge below the upper fills.
5.4.4 Pit 18560, 5.0 m ESE of 18551, measured 0.6 m by 0.46 m and was 0.12 m deep, with shallow concave sides and a concave base. The pit contained a single fill from which a sherd of decorated prehistoric pottery (possibly Coarse Beaker) was recovered, along with numerous fragments of animal bone.
5.5 Bronze Age 2200–700 BC 5.5.1 Small number of sherds of Early, Middle/Late and Late Bronze Age pottery were recovered from the site, but not in sufficient quantities to confidently date individual features, the only definite features of this period being two inhumation graves radiocarbon dated to the Middle Bronze Age.
Graves 5.5.2 An adjacent pair of Middle Bronze Age inhumation graves (18807 and 18810), both aligned NE–SW, and just 0.2 m apart end to end, was recorded in evaluation trench 185, in Area 2003.
5.5.3 Grave 18807 was oval, 1.41 m long, 1.15 m wide and 0.17 m deep, with straight, shallow sides and a gently undulating base (Plate 6). It contained the burial of an adult female (18808) laid flexed on her left side with her head to the north-east, facing south. Preservation of the bone was fairly poor, with only around 50% of the skeleton surviving. The grave was backfilled with a very loose dark greyish brown silty clay (18809), with numerous voids, partly as a result of heavy root disturbance which impacted on the burial remains. No grave goods were present. A sample of the bone provided a radiocarbon date of 1460–1320 cal BC (SUERC-77417, 3139±24 BP) (Table 9).
5.5.4 Grave 18810 was subrectangular, 1.37 m long, 0.8 m wide and 0.31 m deep, with steep straight sides and a flat base (Plate 7). It contained the burial of a teenage male (18811), laid flexed and prone, with the head to the north-east. Both arms are positioned at awkward angles up against the edges of the grave, and the right leg is also resting in such a way, suggesting that the individual was dumped, with little care, face first into the grave. The preservation of the bone was better than 18808, with around 96% of the individual surviving intact, possibly due to the greater depth of the grave. The grave contained two
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backfills, the first consisting of compact chalk rubble (18812) focused around the limbs, followed by loose dark brown silty clay (18813) in the central part of the grave. No grave goods were present. A sample of the bone provided a radiocarbon date of 1530–1430 cal BC (SUERC-77422, 3218±23 BP) (Table 9).
5.6 Prehistoric ditches and associated features 5.6.1 A number of ditches were recorded, some of which intersected indicating more than one phase of land division. Many contained little or no dating evidence, and some of the material recovered from them is very likely to be residual. However, the general absence of Romano-British material in the first phase of ditches, in comparison to the later phase (see below), suggests a prehistoric date. Two of the prehistoric ditches contained burials, one of a neonate, the other an infant.
Area 2002 5.6.2 Some of the ditches (20204, 20205, 20211 and probably 20206) appear to be spatially associated, and represent a coherent field and trackway system (Fig. 2). There was considerable variety in their dimensions, due in part to their different levels of truncation, ranging from 0.29 m to 2.1 m wide and 0.08 m to 0.69 m deep, but with generally similar profiles of steep, slightly convex sides with concave bases.
5.6.3 Ditch 20205 defined the straight north-eastern and north-western sides, and the curved south-western side, of a large subrectangular field, at least 150 m by 200 m, which extended south and east of Area 2002.
5.6.4 To the west of the field, ditch 20204 ran parallel to, and 11 m north-west of, its north-west side, possibly indicating a trackway. Ditch 20204 turned sharply towards the west at a point matching the field’s northern corner. There was a fairly complex stratigraphic sequence of recutting at the turn in ditch 20204, its western length being a possible later addition to the end of the trackway. At some point a 2.2 m stretch of ditch 20204, immediately west of the corner, was backfilled with chalk rubble (19733/19749), forming a cobbled surface and a possible new access point across the ditch; seven small sherds (8 g) of Late Iron Age (1st century BC) pottery were recovered from this layer.
5.6.5 A similar possible trackway, 9–10 m wide, was defined by ditch 20211, the curving line of which matched that of the field’s south-western side. Ditch 20211 likewise turned westward at a point south of the field’s western corner. It was 1.5–1.9 m wide and 0.95– 1.16 m deep, with steep, convex sides and a concave base. The base was covered with a 0.07 m thick primary fill of mid-greyish brown silty loam, overlain with four secondary deposits of mid-greyish brown silty loam.
5.6.6 One other straight ditch (20206) appears to be associated with this phase as it runs parallel to the north-eastern side of the field, 26–28 m to the north-east. However, while it was recorded as cutting a Romano-British ditch (20203, below) aligned NE–SW, the stratigraphical relationship between them ditches is shown as unclear in the drawn section, leaving the possibility that their relationship was reversed. Ditch 20206 was between 0.82–1.44 m wide and 0.35–0.55 m deep, with steep, slightly convex sides and a concave base. The lowest fill consisted of a mid-brown silty loam primary fill overlain with a secondary deposit of degraded chalk rubble, above which was a secondary deposit of light brown silty loam sealed by a tertiary deposit.
5.6.7 Together these four ditches contained 28 sherds (64 g) of pottery of very mixed date (Middle Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early/Middle Iron Age, Late Iron Age, prehistoric, and Romano-British), 588 pieces of worked flint, animal bone (662 g) and
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burnt flint (2309 g). Some of this material is likely to be residual, and the pottery provides no reliable dating for the field system.
5.6.8 Within the field defined by ditch 20205, an L-shaped ditch (20209) with sides parallel to the field’s north-eastern and north-western sides may also be associated, possibly representing an internal division. It was 0.58–0.89 m wide and 0.48–0.62 m deep, with steep, slightly convex sides with a flat base. The base was covered with a 0.04 m primary deposit of redeposited chalk, overlain with a deposit of loose degraded chalk rubble, then two phases of secondary deposition. It contained 10 sherds (20 g) of pottery of Early and Late Bronze Age date, 19 pieces of worked flint, fired clay (2 g), animal bone (498 g) and burnt flint (224 g).
5.6.9 Parallel to one arm of ditch 20209, and 20 m to its north-west, there was a length of segmented (probably truncated) ditch (20210), running 14 m SW–NE then turning at a right angle to the south-east. This could also be an internal division with the field formed by ditch 20205. The only finds were two pieces of worked flint.
Other ditches in Area 2002 5.6.10 Other short lengths of ditch were recorded in the south-western part of Area 2002, two of them (20132/20136 and 20158) aligned predominantly north–south. Ditch 20132/20136 may have been associated with Phase A ditch 20211, as it was recorded to its south but not to its north; their relationship was obscured by modern disturbance. It ran south for 17 m before turning at a right angle to the west. It was 0.98–1.22 m wide and 0.55–0.62 m deep with steep, convex sides with a flat base. It contained one sherd (4 g) of Early Bronze Age pottery and three small Romano-British sherds (4 g), 13 pieces of worked flint, a worked bone point (ON 30), animal bone (618 g) and burnt flint (259 g).
5.6.11 North–south ditch 20158, recorded during the watching brief, was heavily truncated by a modern pipe running within the line of the ditch, but had a similar profile to ditch 20132/20136; no finds were recorded from it. Two other lengths of undated ditch (20152 and 20156) were recorded in the watching brief area, but neither of them can be readily associated with other features; no finds were recovered from them.
Area 2003 5.6.12 Ditch 20214 in Area 2003, which was aligned WNW–ESE, was recorded for 29 m, terminating at the ESE. It cannot be confidently associated with either of the phases of ditches in Area 2002. It was 0.5–0.93 m wide and 0.29–0.42 m deep, with steep, slightly convex sides and a flat base; the terminal had a steep, concave edge with a flat base. The variation in size is largely due to modern truncation across the area. It had up to three fills – a 0.11 m thick primary fill followed by two phases of secondary deposition. It contained one abraded sherd of possible Middle or Late Bronze Age date, and one probably residual Beaker sherd, along with 63 pieces of worked flint, fired clay (1 g) and animal bone (481 g).
Inhumation graves 5.6.13 Two of the ditches, one (20204) in Area 2002, and the other (20214) in Area 2003, contained inhumation burials, the former of a neonate (in grave 19740), the latter (in grave 19009) of an infant. As the ditches in which they were found are insecurely dated, the burials, which were not radiocarbon dated, are also of uncertain date
Grave 19740 5.6.14 Grave 19740, containing a neonate burial (19741), was cut into the primary fill of ditch 20204, 50 m to the west of the ditch’s sharp westward turn (Plate 8). The neonate was
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laid on its left side with the head to the south, although as preservation was poor the exact burial position was unclear. The grave was subrectangular, with shallow sloping sides and an irregular base.
Grave 19009 5.6.15 A subcircular grave (19009), containing an infant inhumation (19005), was cut into the base of ditch 20214 (Plate 9), but with no evidence that it cut any of the ditch fills, suggesting that it was contemporary with the ditch. It measured 0.43 m by 0.44 m and was 0.16 m deep (into the base of the ditch), with steep, straight sides and a flat base. The individual was placed in a crouched position on their left side with the head to the south. Bone preservation was good, with around 93% of the skeleton surviving intact. The grave was backfilled with loosely compacted chalk rubble and mid-greyish brown silty clay (19012). No grave goods were present.
5.7 Romano-British 5.7.1 A small quantity of Romano-British pottery (33 sherds, 186 g) was recovered, the main features of this date appearing to be an arrangement of NE–SW aligned ditches (20200, 20202, 20203 and 20208) in Area 2002. Together, these extended (with breaks) at least 300 m across the excavation area, although the line of ditches 20202 and 20203 had also been recorded further to the south-west during the 2005 watching brief (as ditch 1008), giving it a length of at least 457 m (Fig. 1).
5.7.2 Ditch 20203 ran SW from the edge of excavation for 130 m before turning sharply to the south-east for 5 m (as 20207), then terminating; as noted above, the recorded stratigraphical relationship between ditches 20203 and 20206 is not secure. Ditch 20208 ran parallel to ditch 20203, approximately 2.5 m to its south-east, turning sharply to the south-east at the edge of excavation. The line of ditch 20203 was continued to the south- west by three segments of a truncated ditch (20202), averaging 0.45 m wide and 0.11 m deep, parallel to which, and 15 m to the north-west, was ditch 20200. Together these four ditches contained eight sherds (34 g) of Romano-British pottery and one residual Late Bronze Age sherd, 110 pieces of worked flint, animal bone (34 g) and burnt flint (180 g).
5.7.3 A short gully (20201) perpendicular to ditch 200200, may be associated, as may two short linear features (20216 and 20217) arranged at right angles, further to the north-east, one of which (20217) was on the continuation of the line of ditch 20200, and contained five piece of worked flint and animal bone (5 g).
5.7.4 A pit (20088) cutting late prehistoric ditch 20205 close to the eastern edge of the Area 2002 excavation contained a small sherd (1 g) of Romano-British pottery, along with 28 pieces of worked flint, animal bone (253 g) and a pierced chalk object (ON 27), possibly a spindle whorl (Table 2).
5.7.5 Romano-British pottery was also recovered from two isolated postholes (18509 in Area 2003, and 19944 in Area 2002). As noted above, a number of small sherds (11 sherds, 12 g) were recovered from Middle Neolithic pits (Table 2); in all cases these were recovered from the uppermost fill and are clearly intrusive.
5.8 Uncertain date Pits 5.8.1 None of the three pits (20015, 20024 and 20077) in the loose group of pits (Group 7) at the eastern edge of Area 2002 (Fig. 2) contained pottery, although given the main periods of activity on the site they are considered likely to be prehistoric (Table 2). Pit 20077
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measured 1.3 m by 1.28 m and was 0.7 m deep, with steep, straight sides and a flat base. Three deposits were identified within it, all having occurred through natural erosion and weathering processes. All of the chalk inclusions within these fills were fairly well sorted and suggest an emphasis on erosion from the north-western edge. Among the finds from its three fill were animal bone, including a piece of red deer antler (ON 29), and a piece of unidentified shell.
Roundhouse 5.8.2 A roundhouse (20212) (Fig. 4) located near the northern edge of Area 2002 consisted of a near-circular ring, approximately 3.7 m in diameter, of six postholes, with a further two postholes 1.6 m to the east forming the entrance structure. The postholes in the ring were spaced 1.6–2.2 m apart (average 1.9 m, centre to centre), the widest spacing being at the entrance; the outer entrance postholes were 1.1 m apart. The postholes were regular in shape and size, averaging 0.2 m in diameter and 0.18 m deep, with steep, sloping sides and flat bases. The fills were also similar, consisting of mid-brown silty clay with common chalk inclusions. Three small sherds (5 g) of pottery, of Beaker, Early Bronze Age and prehistoric date, were recovered, but some or all of these may be residual. Although roundhouses of Beaker/Early Bronze Age date are known, it may be significant that the structure lies some 10 m south-west of ditch 20206, from which a small quantity of Early/Middle Iron Age pottery was recovered, indicating some level of Iron Age activity in this part of the site, of which the roundhouse may have been part.
5.8.3 There were a number of other undated postholes recorded on the site but forming no apparent structures.
5.9 Modern AD 1800–present 5.9.1 Extensive modern disturbance was recorded across both areas of site. While most of it relates to buried utilities and the landscaping involved in the construction of the sports pitches that previously occupied Area 2002, some of the modern activity can be traced back to the 19th century and World Wars I and II.
19th century 5.9.2 The remnants of a trackway bisecting Area 2002 east to west (Fig. 2), consisted of two parallel wheel ruts (19728 and 19730), 0.23–0.32 m wide and 0.12 m deep, cutting the overburden and filled with mid-greyish brown loam. The trackway aligns with a known 19th-century trackway linking The Bustard and Durrington. The only find was a residual sherd (2 g) of Early Bronze Age pottery.
World War I 5.9.3 Evidence for military practice trenching was recorded in Area 2002. This came in the form of stretches of ‘zig-zag’ trenching up to c.80.00 m in total length. No dating was recovered so it is unknown exactly when these were excavated, although excavation of similar practice trenches on the land adjacent to the Stonehenge Golf Course revealed that they dated back to the World War I (Wessex Archaeology forthcoming a). As such it is highly likely that these are from a similar period also. This is further backed up by two Ordnance Survey plans from the DBA (Wessex Archaeology 2014a, figs 10 and 11) dating to 1925/6 and 1948, which shows Area 2002 to have been clear of buildings throughout the early and mid-20th century.
World War II 5.9.4 Structure 20215, located on the eastern edge of Area 2003, was identified and recorded during the excavation works (Fig. 2). It consisted of a series of rectangular concrete
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footings overlain with cement-bonded red brick. The concrete footing measured between 0.65 m and 0.72 m wide. The building itself is rectangular in plan and measured 11.5 m by 6.35 m. Of what remains it appears to have consisted of four rooms, the larger rooms the width of the building, with the westernmost room containing a smaller interior room within. No evidence for the location of an entrance remains. The 1925/6 Ordnance Survey mapping depicts this area as open ground between the main body of the camp and the recreation ground to the north (Area 2002); whereas the 1948 mapping (Wessex Archaeology 2014a, fig. 11) records the presence of a group of twelve rectangular, and one square buildings within, and encompassing Area 2003. As such, it appears that the construction of this building dates to the World War II period.
5.9.5 A group of four sections of military trenching was identified in Area 2003. These comprised near identical short sections of ‘dog-legged’ trench c.16.00 m across (c. 22.00 m in total length). Given the form of these trenches it is considered highly likely that they represent machine-cut emergency air raid shelter trenches (Martin Brown 2018, pers.comm 31 May) located to provide rapid and accessible shelter to the occupants of the buildings depicted on the 1948 mapping (such as Structure 20215). Indeed, the 1948 cartographic evidence indicates the presence of a relatively small open area in the centre of the group of buildings where these trenches are located. Similar examples of this type of WII trench have been identified in Savernake (Bob Clarke 2018, pers.comm 13 June).
5.9.6 Minor remains of some other concrete footings were identified within Area 2003, around 32 m WNW of structure 20215. Very little of this structure remains but what was there appears to have some resemblance to structure 20215, and also appears to correspond to a building on the 1948 OS plan. As such it appears that this was another structure relating to activity around the World War II.
Post-war 5.9.7 Evidence of sports facilities were uncovered within Area 2002, postdating the World War I archaeology. In the north-west corner of the area the remains of a long jump was found, complete with the runway, take-off board and sand pit. Some 70 m south, a 9 m diameter circle of square modern postholes was identified which is believed to be the cage for the discus/hammer throw: its dimensions match up with the IAAF recommended dimensions for a discus/hammer cage. This use of the area for athletics purposes appears to be what preceded the conversion into the sports pitches that existed prior to the excavation.
6 FINDS EVIDENCE
6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Artefactual and finds material was mostly recovered from a series of discrete features (graves, pits and ditches) largely of Neolithic and later prehistoric date.
Table 3 Finds quantification by material type Type Number Weight (g) Pottery 356 1423 Worked flint 2439 - Human bone 115 - Animal bone 2605 17064 Stone 174 2068 Glass 19 2833 Copper alloy 1 1
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Iron 1 17 Ceramic building material 1 22 Slag/clinker 2 118 Shell 2 2 Fired clay 9 62 Burnt flint 525 8587 Synthetics 1 11
6.1.2 All finds have been quantified by material type within each context, and totals by material type are presented in Table 3. This section discusses the finds by material type; on this information is based an assessment of their potential to contribute to an understanding of the site, and a statement of any proposed further analysis considered necessary to achieve this.
6.2 Pottery 6.2.1 The primary dating evidence for the site has been provided by the pottery, which is predominantly of Middle Neolithic and Beaker date. The remainder of the assemblage consists of sherds of unidentifiable prehistoric, late prehistoric and Romano-British date. The condition of these sherds varies: those from the pit groups are generally better- preserved than the material from other features although – given the nature of the Middle Neolithic fabrics – this is not always the case and much of the assemblage can be characterised as small and abraded, even from in situ deposits.
Neolithic 6.2.2 Middle Neolithic Peterborough Wares were recovered from several features, all pits (19631, 19635, 19690, 19711, 19736, 19799, 19800, 19811, 19816, 19818, 19916 and 20041) except a single sherd which had been redeposited in ditch 20205. This last was a fragment from a ‘T’-shaped rim decorated with whipped cord maggots on the upper, interior and exterior surfaces. It derives from a vessel belonging to either the Ebbsfleet or Mortlake sub-styles.
6.2.3 Pit 19631 contained fragments of at least four vessels. One was represented by a single sherd decorated with incised parallel lines opening around a central lozenge: the decoration appears more typical of the Grooved Ware tradition, but the fabric (quite coarse and tempered with very poorly sorted large flints) and associated sherds suggest Peterborough Ware. A second vessel, of the Mortlake sub-style, was represented by a fragment of ‘T’-shaped rim decorated with whipped cord maggots on the top, interior and exterior surfaces and with a pre-firing perforation above the cavetto. A third vessel was represented by a sherd from either the base of the cavetto and top of the body of a Mortlake-type vessel, or the base of the collar and top of the cavetto of a Fengate jar. The cavetto has a deep circular pit, probably a stick impression, and the body or collar is decorated with short curving diagonal lines of cord. A fourth vessel is represented by a fragment of ‘T’-shaped rim with incised lines on top. This vessel may belong to the Ebbsfleet sub-style. Other sherds from the pit (one decorated with parallel lines of bone- end impressions, one with incised lines, one with short diagonal stabs) may derive from the same vessels.
6.2.4 Pit 19635 contained three abraded plain body sherds in a fabric identical to the second vessel in pit 19631, to which they may belong.
6.2.5 Pit 19690 contained fragments of at least three vessels. One is represented by the shoulder and base of the cavetto of a vessel decorated with whipped cord maggots, likely a bowl of Ebbsfleet type. Other sherds and crumbs may derive from this same pot, but 17 WA ref: 109516.11
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other vessels are present: a rim sherd with a line of diagonal whipped cord maggots; a thin-walled sherd in a shell-tempered fabric with one line of deeply impressed decoration).
6.2.6 Pit 19711 contained a small number of largely featureless crumbs and sherds, among which were a fragment of cavetto, and a very thin fragment from the cavetto/rim angle.
6.2.7 Pit 19736 contained fragments of at least five vessels. Nine sherds came from the body of a vessel decorated with randomly distributed dots and fine incised lines. A second vessel was decorated with closely-spaced lines of whipped cord maggots; a third with closely- spaced deep circular impressions. A fourth vessel was represented only by the cavetto/body angle and a fifth by a fragment of flat-topped rim with zig-zag impressions on the interior surface. Numerous other small sherds and crumbs are likely to derive from these same vessels.
6.2.8 Pit 19799 contained fragments of at least two vessels. One was represented by a single sherd decorated with lines of twisted cord; the second by sherds with twisted cord arcs and fingernail impressions. Numerous small sherds and crumbs are likely to derive from these same vessels.
6.2.9 Pit 19800 contained a fragment of a rim decorated with whipped cord maggots, along with some small sherds and crumbs.
6.2.10 Pit 19811 contained 14 sherds from the rim decorated with whipped cord on the top and exterior surface.
6.2.11 Pit 19816 contained a fragment of pointed rim from a Fengate-type vessel, decorated with whipped cord on both surfaces. Other sherds and crumbs (some angled, perhaps from the cavetto/body angle, and decorated with whipped cord maggots; one with a deep circular impression) may be from the same vessel.
6.2.12 Pit 19818 contained sherds decorated with incised lines among featureless sherds and crumbs.
6.2.13 Pit 19916 contained a rim fragment with an impressed herringbone pattern and two sherds with whipped cord maggots.
6.2.14 Pit 20041 contained sherds and crumbs of probable Peterborough Ware.
Beaker 6.2.15 Beaker ceramics were recovered from ditches (20205, 20209, 20211, 20214 and 20132), pits (18551 and 19902), a trackway (19730) and a posthole of roundhouse 20212. Of these, only the pits are likely to be dated by the ceramics.
6.2.16 Ditches 20132, 20205 and 20209 each contained a single plain body sherd, identified as Beaker only by the fabric, as did trackway 19730. Similarly, the five sherds from ditch 20211 are only Beaker by virtue of the fabric. A fragment of flat base with a slight foot and concave flaring wall from ditch 20214 is more certainly Beaker. Posthole 19671 from roundhouse 20212 contained an everted rim with twisted cord decoration on the bevel.
6.2.17 Pit 18551 contained sherds and crumbs from one or more Coarse Beakers decorated with triangular stick impressions, rectangular toothed comb and rusticated paired fingernail, along with sherds from one or more finer vessels with irregularly-spaced shallow semi- circular stick impressions and irregular incised lines.
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6.2.18 Pit 19902 contained sherds and crumbs from a single fine Beaker.
Early Bronze Age 6.2.19 Posthole 19640 of roundhouse 20212 contained a single very abraded refired rim fragment with lines of cord impression on the exterior and top. This may derive from a Food Vessel or Collared Urn.
Later prehistoric 6.2.20 A small quantity of material belongs to the later parts of the Bronze Age and start of the Iron Age. A fragment of a flat, slightly footed, base with a straight flaring wall recovered from the topsoil (19601) may be Middle or Late Bronze Age on fabric grounds, as may a single abraded sherd from ditch 20214. Crumbs weighing only 8 g from surface 19733 maybe Late Bronze Age, as may a further 2 g from surface 19749. A single sherd from gully 20202 (otherwise Romano-British) is Late Bronze Age, as is one from ditch 20205. Neither date the features. Nine body sherds from ditch 20209 are of a similar date.
6.2.21 Ditch 20206 contained five sherds from at least two vessels of Early to Middle Iron Age date.
Prehistoric 6.2.22 A number of sherds and crumbs, usually too small or featureless to allow secure identification, have been classified as prehistoric. These are: a single sherd from pit 18560; one from inhumation 18810; two from pit 19615; two from pit 19726; one from posthole 19944; one from ditch 20204; three from ditch 20205; one from roundhouse 20212.
Romano-British 6.2.23 Romano-British material comprised sherds of south-east Dorset Black Burnished ware from posthole 18509 and ditches 20132, 20203 and 20205; coarse greywares from pits 19631, 19711 and 19818 (all otherwise and securely Middle Neolithic), tree-throw holes 19974 and 20070 (not on figures), and ditches 20203 and 20208; New Forest greywares from ditch 20204 and gully 20207; oxidised ware from pits 19916 (otherwise and securely Middle Neolithic) and 20088 and ditch 20202; and Savernake-type ware from posthole 19944 and gully 20207. Although a very small group, the range of fabrics and forms suggests a date range spanning most of the Roman period, from at least the 2nd (possibly late 1st) century through to the late 3rd/4th century AD.
Modern 6.2.24 A single sherd of refined whiteware came from topsoil 18501.
6.3 Worked flint 6.3.1 A total of 2439 pieces of flint were recovered (Table 4). The condition of the flint was generally consistent, being in relatively poor condition, often showing frost damage and patina. Some pieces showed signs of rolling damage and mild post-depositional damage. There were few mint condition pieces. Raw material type was also consistent, the bulk of the assemblage being comprised of a light grey to black flint which was often of poor quality, with medium thickness buff cortex. The nodules of this material were often large, as evidenced by the size of the some of the core shaping flakes. The source of this flint was most likely to have been the local geology.
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Chronology 6.3.2 There were few specific chronological indicators other than the burnt broken fragment of a polished axe in pit 19623. There are two microdenticulates which can be dated to the Neolithic, one of which has an unusual concave curved form. However taken as a whole the assemblage is clearly Neolithic in date, mostly likely Middle to Late Neolithic. The bulk of the assemblage consists of flakes, most of which were cortical to some degree. Considerable knapping skill was evident in some of the scrapers, and in some of the cores that show adept reduction despite the poor quality of the material. However, many of the cores appear to have been roughly reduced, and there are a number of ‘expedient’ cores on flakes and core forms that use alternate flaking on wrung out or otherwise unpromising nodules, suggesting that flake blanks for immediate use were often required.
6.3.3 The blades and bladelets could have been ‘accidently’ produced as part of a flake-based technology, but one blade has clear blade scars, suggesting that at least this single example derives from a blade technology.
Table 4 Worked flint: composition of the assemblage Flint Types No. % of assemblage Retouched tools: Miscellaneous retouch 1 0.04 Microdenticulate 2 0.08 Scraper 19 0.78 Retouched tools sub-total 22 0.9 Debitage: Flake cores (incl. broken) 45 1.85 Core rejuvenation tablet 1 0.04 Flakes (incl. broken) 1411 57.85 Blades (incl. broken) 7 0.29 Bladelets (incl. broken) 2 0.08 Debitage (angular shatter) 86 3.53 Chips/microdebitage 864 35.42 Hammerstone 1 0.04 Debitage sub-total 2417 99.1 Total 2439 100%
Distribution 6.3.4 The majority of the significant groups came from pits. Pottery contained in these features indicate that most are Middle Neolithic (pits 19631, 19690, 19711, 19726, 19736, 19799, 19800, 19811, 19816, 19818, 19916 and 20041 contain flint), with fewer Beaker (pits 18551, 18560 and 19902 contain flint). Pits 19615, 19619, 19623, 20015, 20024 and 20088 have no associated ceramics, but one (19623) contains a burnt portion of a polished flint axe.
6.3.5 The bulk of the material from all of the pits is flake debitage – there are very few diagnostic pieces. Middle Neolithic pit 19818 contained a discoidal core and a microdenticulate.
6.3.6 Most of the remaining material came from later prehistoric and Romano-British field boundary ditches, and a series of surfaces and layers. Most of the material from the ditches was again flake debitage, but there were some well-made scrapers and another microdenticulate, indicating that at least some of the material was redeposited. The
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surfaces and layers contained numerous tested nodules and flakes; the only tools were three scrapers and a possible hammerstone.
6.4 Human bone 6.4.1 Human bone was recovered from eight contexts, including the remains of four inhumation burials. One burial (in grave 18807) had been made flexed; at least one, probably two were made in a crouched position (in graves 19740 and 19907); and in the fourth instance (in graves 18810) the legs were flexed but the upper part of the body was laid prone (Plate 7). In all four cases the flexion was to the left side. Disarticulated bone was found in the fills of two Chalcolithic/early Beaker pits (dated via residual ceramics and radiocarbon analysis of a bone sample from one pit), including a substantial proportion of the remains of one adult male (Table 5).
6.4.2 With the exception of the adjacent graves 18807 and 18810 in Area 2003, the mortuary deposits were dispersed across a wide area, the two Chalcolithic/early Beaker pits lying almost 200 m apart, whilst the two other graves (19009 and 19740) were 44 m and 300 m, respectively, from the aforementioned pair of graves. In the absence of any direct dating evidence from the graves, bone samples from the two adjacent graves in Area 2003 were submitted for radiocarbon analysis and both returned Middle Bronze Age dates. The date of the two remaining graves is currently unknown, though the burial position suggests they are prehistoric.
Table 5 Summary from assessment scan of human bone Cut Context Deposit Quantif. Age/sex Pathology Comment type (approx.) 18551 18557 R 1 tooth subadult/adult - 0-1; central fill Neo. (?Neo pit) 14–30 yr pit; 18807 18808* inh. burial 50% adult dental caries; ante 3-4; heavily (0.17 m) (flexed left) 35–50 yr mortem tooth loss; fragmented (many MBA female calculus; fresh breaks) – osteophytes – S1, truncated lower limb; left acetabulum; some reconstruction ddd – C, T, L but few/no main indices. 18810 18811* inh. burial 96% subadult - 2–4; slightly (0.31 m) (upper body 15–17 yr fragmentation (some prone, lower male fresh); some flexed left) reconstruction, most MBA indices; ?canid gnawing to left 1st MtT prox. surface; central chunk of thoracic missing 19009 19005 inh. burial 93% infant cribra orbitalia 0-3; skull will (0.16 m) (crouched approx. 3 yr (slight) reconstruct; femur left) 135mm; 19740 19741 inh. burial 48% neonate periosteal new 0–1; heavily (0.08 m) (?left side) 2–12 weeks bone – tibiae fragmented;
19902 19903 R 2 bones + Adult - 3 (C/B pit) 1 tooth >25 yr 19904* R 40% Adult apical cyst 3–4; fragmented, (C/B pit) >40 yr many fresh breaks male (some with no joins); some reconstruction & indices; worked bone object
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with ‘miscellaneous’; from central fill of pit 19905 R 12 frags. adult - 4–5; fragmented, (C/B pit) s.u.l. >18 yr many fresh breaks Key: * – sample taken for radiocarbon analysis; inh. – inhumation; R – redeposited; C/B – Chalcolithic/early Beaker period; MBA – Middle Bronze Age; s.a.u.l. – skull, axial skeleton, upper limb, lower limb (skeletal areas represented where not all are present); ddd – degenerative disc disease; C/T/L/S – cervical/thoracic/lumbar/sacral vertebra(e)
6.4.3 The human remains were subject to a rapid scan to assess the condition of the bone, demographic data, potential for indices recovery and the presence of pathological lesions. Assessments were based on standard ageing and sexing methods (Bass 1987; Buikstra and Ubelaker 1994; Scheuer and Black 2000). Grading for preservation of the unburnt bone according with McKinley (2004, fig 6). A summary of the results is presented in Table 5.
6.4.4 The inhumation graves had survived to a relatively wide range of depths, 0.08–0.31 m. There is evidence for bone loss due to truncation of the remains in two cases; the very shallow grave 19740 (0.08 m), situated towards the northern margins of Area 2002, appears to have been truncated by a military trench; the distal end of grave 18807 had been disturbed by some currently unclear mechanism resulting in the loss of parts of the lower limbs. The latter remains were heavily fragmented, as were those from grave 18740, exhibiting both old and fresh breaks. Bone fragmentation in the other graves was relatively minor, but the redeposited bone from pit 19902 had many fresh breaks, some with no joining fragments. The condition of the bone is variable, with most scoring grades 2–4 (moderate surface erosion). The levels of disturbance are reflected in the low percentage skeletal recovery from the affected graves.
6.4.5 A minimum of six individuals is represented, one from each of the graves and two from the Chalcolithic/early Beaker pits. All the bone from pit 19902 probably derives from the same individual. Although the evidence for the second individual represented amongst the redeposited remains comprises only a single tooth, the estimated age of this individual is well below that of the adult male from pit 19902, and the large distance between the two pits adds further support to the discrete origins of the remains. The bone from pit 19902 has the appearance of material redeposited in a feature not far from its original place of deposition, the individual possibly even having been buried in the pit itself.
6.4.6 Pathological lesions were observed in the remains of four individuals. Mild–moderate dental calculus (calcified plaque) was seen in the adult female dentition, which also has evidence for dental caries and ante mortem tooth loss. Dental lesions, in the form of an apical cyst (most likely a dental abscess), were also recorded in the dentition of the adult male from the Chalcolithic/early Beaker pit. Such lesions are commonly related to an individual’s diet, but there is known to be an age-related link to frequency.
6.4.7 Slight pitting in the orbital roof was seen in the infant remains from grave 19009. The lesions are believed to result from a metabolic disorder associated with childhood iron deficiency anaemia, though other contributory factors, such as parasitic infection, are also recognised (Molleson 1993; Roberts and Manchester 1995, 166–9). Periosteal new bone, formed in response to infection of the periosteal membrane covering the bone, was observed in the neonatal remains (grave 19740). In this instance the lesions are likely to relate to some form of systemic infection, possibly even acquired in utero and reflective of ill-heath in the mother, and may have been a contributory factor in the baby’s death.
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physical stress. Such lesions can cause stiffness, pain and restricted movement in joints, with more intense pain resulting where nerves are impinged upon.
6.5 Animal bone 6.5.1 A total of 2614 fragments (or 16.631 kg) of animal bone was recovered, once conjoins are considered the fragment count falls to 1429 (Table 6). The assemblage includes material of Middle Neolithic, Beaker, unspecified late prehistoric and Romano-British date.
6.5.2 The assemblage was rapidly scanned and the following information quantified where applicable: species, skeletal element, preservation condition, fusion and tooth ageing data, butchery marks, metrical data, gnawing, burning, surface condition, pathology and non-metric traits. This information was directly recorded into a relational database (in MS Access) and cross-referenced with relevant contextual information.
Table 6 Animal bone: number of identified specimens present (or NISP) by period
Species Middle Beaker Late Romano- Undated Total Neolithic prehistoric British Cattle 92 4 41 3 14 154 Sheep/goat 8 6 16 - 9 39 Pig 44 3 5 - 1 53 Horse - - 1 - - 1 Dog 4 - - - - 4 ?Aurochs 2 - - - - 2 Red deer 4 - 3 - - 7 Vole 1 4 - - 1 6 Frog/toad - 1 - - - 1 Total identified 155 18 66 3 25 267 Total unidentifiable 794 84 252 12 20 1162 Overall total 949 102 318 15 45 1429
Preservation and fragmentation 6.5.3 Bone preservation is generally good however cortical surfaces are root etched and this has effaced fine surface details such as cut marks. Several ditch fills include bones in different states of preservation and this is a general indication that material has been reworked and redeposited from earlier contexts.
6.5.4 Fragmentation rates vary between some of the Middle Neolithic pits and this can be attributed to formation processes, for example, whether the material was deposited directly into the feature or via pre-pit surface deposits (see for example Garrow 2006).
6.5.5 Gnaw marks were apparent on less than 0.8% of post-cranial bones. This is a very low occurrence and suggests that the assemblage has not been significantly biased by the bone chewing habit of scavenging carnivores.
Middle Neolithic 6.5.6 total of 949 fragments of bone came from 14 pits of Middle Neolithic date, with the largest concentrations from pits 19631 and 19690. These two features contained several
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complete bones and large pieces of antler that had been directly deposited or placed while the other pits contained just a few fragments each.
6.5.7 The following species have been identified and are listed in terms of their relative abundance: cattle, pig, sheep/goat, red deer, dog and possibly aurochs. A rodent bone was also recovered and probably represents the remains of a pitfall victim. The dominance of cattle and pig is in keeping with the majority of Middle Neolithic settlement sites in southern Britain (Serjeantson 2011, 15–7).
6.5.8 The assemblages from pits 19631 and 19690 include large numbers of cattle and pig bones, and pieces of red deer antler. Pit 19631 also includes several dog bones and teeth, and a sheep/goat bone. A few of the cattle bones from lower fill 19634 of pit 19631 show signs of the ‘burn and smash’ technique characteristic of Neolithic butchery practices (Serjeantson 2011, 60–3). This deposit also contained large numbers of small unidentifiable burnt fragments and several bones from a neonatal pig. This evidence suggests that pit 19631 was backfilled sometime around the spring farrowing season.
6.5.9 Large pieces of antler were also recovered from these features. There are no obvious signs that the antler from pit 19631 (ON. 6) was used or modified, however worn and/or broken tools are often deposited at the base of pits (Serjeantson 2011, 77) and the distal, crown part of antlers such as this one, make ideal rakes. The antler from pit 19690 (ON 11) had been modified to form a handle or sheath.
6.5.10 Pits 19631 and 20213 both contained bones from a large bovid, possibly an aurochs but this needs to be confirmed through biometric analysis.
Beaker 6.5.11 A total of 102 fragments of animal bone came from Beaker pits 18551, 18560 and 19902. With the exception a few rodent and amphibian bones, the identified bones all belong to livestock species. Of note is a modified cattle metatarsal from pit 19902 which has been shaped to form a spatula (ON 28).
Late prehistoric 6.5.12 A total of 318 fragments of bone came from two pits 20015 and 20077, six ditches (20204 to 20206, 20209, 20211 and 20214) and deposit 19733. Cattle bones dominate, followed by sheep/goat, and then pig. A single horse tooth and three pieces of red deer antler have also been identified. Of note is an antler rake (ON 29) from pit 20077.
Romano-British 6.5.13 A small quantity of animal bones (15 fragments) came from Romano-British ditches 20203 and 20200, pit 20088 and posthole 19944. The identified fragments are all pieces of cattle mandible.
Undated 6.5.14 A total of 45 fragments of bone came from layers, tree throw-hole 18558, ditches 19705, 19822 and 20132, and from post-built structure 20212. The identified bones are from cattle, sheep/goat and pig. Of note is a bone point (ON 30) from ditch 20132.
6.6 Stone 6.6.1 Fragments of stone were recovered from pit 18551 (18552), pit 19690 (19691, 19692, 19693, 19694, 19721), pit 19711 (19712), pit 19726 (19727), layer 19734 and pit 19736 (19737). Most are angular fragments of burnt sandstones, some with smoothed faces and possibly from querns.. 24 WA ref: 109516.11
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6.6.2 Fragments of grooved and otherwise possibly worked chalk were recovered from pit 18551 (18552, 18554), pit 19631 (19633, 19634, 19660), pit 19690 (19691), pit 19726 (19727), pit 19736 (19737), hollow 19843 (19844), pit 20041 (20043), pit 20088 (20089) and ditch 20132 (20135).
6.6.3 A pierced bun-shaped piece of chalk, crudely worked and possibly a spindle whorl, came from pit 20088 (20089).
6.7 Glass 6.7.1 Machine-made bottles of late 19th- or early 20th-century date came from topsoil contexts 18501 and 18701. Four held Brylcreem, one is evidently an ink well, the others cannot be identified although all are likely to have been household or medicinal containers.
6.8 Other material 6.8.1 Other material was limited to the following: a copper alloy button from topsoil 18501; a belt buckle from structure 20215; a single fragment of post-medieval roof tile from 19917 (pit 19916); a piece of undiagnostic possible iron slag from posthole 18563 and a piece of clinker from tree-throw hole 19795; a cowrie shell from pit 19690 (19694) and a fragment of unidentified shell from pit 20077 (20080); featureless fragments of fired clay (four from pit 18551 (18555), one from pit 19690 (19722), two from tree-throw hole 20093, two from ditch 20208 (20113); a plastic toothbrush handle from topsoil 18501.
7 ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE
7.1.1 A total of 87 bulk samples were taken from a range of features in Areas 2002 and 2003 for the recovery of environmental evidence (60 samples) and human remains (27 samples) (Appendix 1, Table 10). Also included in this report are an additional six samples taken under a previous phase of work (Areas 2004 and 2012, Wessex Archaeology 2016a), but not included in the previous reports (Appendix 1, Table 11). The breakdown of the bulk samples into the phase groups is shown in Table 7.
Table 7 Sample provenance summary Phase No of samples Volume (l) Feature types Neolithic 56 1212.5 Pits Bronze Age 2 40 Boundary ditch Iron Age 8 54 Roundhouse postholes Totals 66 1306.5
7.1.2 The purpose of this assessment is the evaluation of the quality of environmental remains preserved at the site and the potential for further analysis to address specific site archaeological issues and to provide archaeobotanical data valuable for wider research frameworks.
7.1.3 The size of the samples varied between 2 and 48 litres, and on average was around 20. The bulk samples were processed by standard flotation methods; the flot retained on a 0.25 mm mesh, residues fractionated into 4 mm and 1 mm fractions and dried. The coarse fractions (>4 mm) were sorted, weighed and discarded. The flots were scanned using a stereo incident light microscopy at magnifications of up to x40 using a Leica MS5 microscope. Different bioturbation indicators were considered, including the percentage of roots, the abundance of modern seeds and the presence of mycorrhizal fungi sclerotia (eg, Cenococcum geophilum) and animal remains, such as earthworm eggs and insects, which would not be preserved unless anoxic conditions prevailed on site. The
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preservation and nature of the charred plant and wood charcoal remains, as well as the presence of other environmental remains such as molluscs and animal bone and insects was recorded.
7.1.4 Preliminary identifications of dominant or important taxa are noted below, following the nomenclature of Stace (1997) for wild plants, and traditional nomenclature, as provided by Zohary and Hopf (2000, tables 3 and 5), for cereals. Abundance of remains is qualitatively quantified (A*** = exceptional, A** = 100+, A* = 30-99, A = >10, B = 9-5, C = <5) as an estimation of the minimum number of individuals and not the number of remains per taxa
7.1.5 The flots were generally large/small (Tables 10 and 11) but there were high numbers of roots and modern seeds that may be indicative of some stratigraphic movement and the possibility of contamination by later intrusive elements, particularly in the case of small items that may be displaced by earthworm activity.
7.1.6 The assemblages include cereals (often not identified further than subfamily level, e.g. Triticeae), such as barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum sp.), generally poorly preserved as to prevent identification to species level, except in a few circumstances where chaff was preserved (a glume base of a hulled wheat).
7.1.7 Remains of wild plants were dominated by hazel (Corylus avellana) nutshell fragments, but also included vetches (Vicieae), grasses (Poaceae seeds and Arrhenatherum elatius subsp. bulbosum tubers), bedstraw (Galium sp.), mallow (Malva sp.), trefoil/medick/clover (Trifolieae), henbane (Hyoscyamus niger).
8 RADIOCARBON DATING
8.1.1 Three radiocarbon dates were obtained on samples of human bone submitted to the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) (Table 8 and Fig. 5). They have been calculated using the calibration curve of Reimer et al. (2013) and the computer program OxCal (v4.2.3) (Bronk Ramsey and Lee 2013) and cited in the text at 95% confidence and quoted in the form recommended by Mook (1986), with the end points rounded outwards to 10 years. The ranges in plain type in the radiocarbon tables have been calculated according to the maximum intercept method (Stuiver and Reimer 1986). The carbon and nitrogen ratio (Table 8: C:N) indicates a probable terrestrial diet with no indication for a dietary offset. Such offsets can make radiocarbon measurements appear significantly older than their true age.
8.1.2 The aim of the radiocarbon dating programme was to determine the date of a selection of human burials to inform the assessment phase of work.
Table 8 Radiocarbon dates obtained on selected human remains (OxCal v4.2) Laboratory Feature and Material Date BP δC13‰ δN15‰ C:N Calibration at reference deposit type (IRMS) ratio 95% confidence SUERC- Grave 18807: Bone (human), 3139±24 -21.0‰ 10.1‰ 3.3 1460–1320 cal BC 77417 Inhum. burial left femur (1.5 g) SUERC- Pit 19902: Bone (human), 3825±23 -21.2‰ 9.4‰ 3.3 2350–2200 cal BC 77418 redeposited left femur (2 g) SUERC- Grave 18810: Bone (human), 3218±23 -21.2‰ 9.1‰ 3.2 1530–1430 cal BC 77419 inhum. burial left femur (1 g)
8.1.3 The date for redeposited human remains found with a fine Beaker in pit 19002 is within the Chalcolithic (Early Beaker) period (SUERC-77418: 2350–2200 cal BC at 95% confidence) and of a similar date to other burials within and just outside the Stonehenge
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World Heritage Site, most notably in the ditch at Stonehenge and at Amesbury Down (Amesbury Archer, Companion and Boscombe Bowmen) (Barclay and Marshall 2011, 175 and figs 62 and 63).
8.1.4 Two inhumation burials were radiocarbon dated and revealed to belong to the Middle Bronze Age (SUERC-77417 and 77419: 1460–1320 cal BC and 1530–1430 cal BC, respectively). However, the two dates on the burials are inconsistent and were therefore probably not made at the same time (fails a chi2 test: T’=5.1; ν=1; T’(5%)=3.8); burial (18811) in grave 18810 being slightly earlier than that (18808) in grave 18807.
9 STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL
9.1 Stratigraphic potential 9.1.1 The mitigation works have added significant new information about the prehistoric archaeology of the land occupied by Larkhill Camp. Extensive evidence of Middle Neolithic activity was identified along with Beaker-associated activity, including mortuary activity. In both periods that activity involved the digging of pits, most of them in small group of three of four, within which cultural material, predominantly pottery (Peterborough Ware and Beaker), worked flints, animal bone, burnt flint, fired clay and stone had been deposited with varying degrees of formality. Two of the Beaker pits also contained small quantities of human remains. Similar groups of pits of Neolithic and Beaker date are recorded widely within the landscape of Salisbury Plain (Powell et al. 2005; forthcoming; Powell and Barclay forthcoming; Thompson and Powell 2018; Wessex Archaeology 2014c; 2016b), including the more recent excavations as part of the Army Basing Programme at Tidworth and Bulford (Wessex Archaeology forthcoming b).
9.1.2 The later prehistoric period is represented by inhumation burials radiocarbon dated to the Middle Bronze Age, and an extensive rectilinear field and trackway system, with two of the ditches containing child burials (one neonate and one infant). A single roundhouse may also be of late prehistoric date. The field system was cut across by an arrangement of ditches dating to the Romano-British period.
9.1.3 The modern archaeology recorded provides evidence for the historical use of Larkhill military camp, something that has mixed levels of historical recording. The presence of WWI practice trenches adds to the extensive WWI training setup discovered by the Larkhill Golf Course (Wessex Archaeology forthcoming) and provides further understanding of the level of training and preparation undertaken prior to people being sent to fight in Europe. The two WWII buildings uncovered were recorded on Ordnance Survey maps from the time, so their discovery only confirms their exact locations within the context of the camp, although the identification of the associated WWII air raid shelter trenches is a likely addition to the record.
9.2 Finds potential 9.2.1 Of most interest within this assemblage are the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age ceramics, the associated flint, and the animal and human bone. Peterborough Ware pottery is not commonly found in the locality, and this group represents an important assemblage to add to that discovered recently at West Amesbury by Historic England. Further analysis of the ceramics will help to establish their closest affinities and, combined with radiocarbon dating, may enable refinement of the typological sequence.
9.2.2 The possible chalk spindle whorl, worked chalk and worked bone objects should be fully described and illustrated. The other material groups and the later ceramics have limited further potential and do not merit further more detailed work
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Pottery 9.2.3 The Neolithic and Early Bronze Age pottery should be recorded in full, in accordance with the nationally recognised guidelines (PCRG, SGRP and MPRG 2016). This will enable more thorough comparisons with other similarly dated collections from the region. All of the featured Peterborough Ware sherds should be illustrated, along with the Beaker material from 18551 and 19902.
Flint 9.2.4 The material from the pit groups should be re-examined in more detail. The cores and few tools should be fully described, and a sample of the debitage recorded metrically. This should be compared to the material from the Beaker and undated pits, which should also be fully described, in order to determine if the lithics are contemporary with the pottery. The debitage from the ditches and layers could then be typified as either later prehistoric or redeposited (or both).
Human Bone 9.2.5 Analysis of the bone will provide more detailed demographic data, confirming the minimum number of individuals (MNI) and their sex, and refining their age. Reconstruction of the unburnt skeletal elements will be required to enable the recovery of metric data, and it should be possible to calculate the major skeletal indices in some cases. A full record and study of the pathological lesions will enable a broad assessment of the health of individuals and, by comparison with contemporaneous data, some indication of their social status.
9.2.6 Examination and comparative study of the mortuary rites applied to different individuals within the assemblage will contribute towards widening our understanding of attitudes to the dead within the temporal ranges represented; though the latter will require more secure dating of some deposits. This small assemblage forms part of an extensive and important multi-period mortuary landscape on the south-eastern margins of Salisbury Plain and the Stonehenge Environs. Most of the previously recovered prehistoric remains, as here, derived from singletons and small burial groups. Whilst both inhumation and cremation burials of Chalcolithic/early Beaker period, Early Bronze Age and Middle Bronze Age date have been recovered from sites in the wider vicinity, cremation appears to have represented the predominant rite across the range, illustrating the importance of the findings recorded here in furthering our understanding of mortuary practices in the region. Recently investigated examples from the area include the late Neolithic cremation burial recovered from MoD Durrington 1 km to the west (Thompson and Powell 2018), the multi-period and multi-rite mortuary landscape at Amesbury Down some 6 km to the south-west (Powell and Barclay forthcoming; McKinley forthcoming; 2017), and the multi- rite Beaker–Early Bronze Age barrow cemetery at Porton approximately 9 km to the south-west (Andrews and Thompson 2016). A potential gender-related difference in mortuary rite has been observed amongst the more recently recorded Middle Bronze Age remains where adult males have predominated amongst the unburnt remains and adult females amongst the cremated (McKinley forthcoming), a tendency with which the current findings appear to be at odds.
Animal bone 9.2.7 The Neolithic and Bronze Age components of the assemblage offer the most potential for more detailed analysis. There are a reasonable number of identified bones, many of which can provide information relating to age, biometry and butchery (Table 9).
9.2.8 Neolithic pit assemblages have been recorded from several sites on Salisbury Plain and the surrounding area, these include Delta Track East and West (Powell et al.
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forthcoming), Amesbury Down (Powell and Barclay forthcoming), Bishopdown Farm (Wessex Archaeology 2014c), Greentrees School (Wessex Archaeology 2016), Old Sarum Airfield (Wessex Archaeology 2015c), and more recent excavations as part of the Army Basing Programme at Tidworth and Bulford.
Table 9 Animal bone: quantity and type of detailed information available from further study
Type of information Middle Beaker Late Romano- Undated Total Neolithic prehistoric British Gnawed 8 3 12 - 6 29 Burnt 186 16 - - - 202 Butchered 13 - 3 - 1 202 Biometric 19 - 4 1 2 26 Age – fusion 56 2 7 - 5 70 Age – mandibles 2+ teeth - - 1 2 1 4
9.3 Environmental potential 9.3.1 The assemblages are consistent with plant processing activities in prehistoric periods but are generally poorly preserved, heavily bioturbated and possibly contaminated with intrusive items. Still, the charred plant remains are consistent with current knowledge about plant exploitation in the period and within the area of the WHS and in some cases they are rich and diverse enough to warrant further analysis. However, due to the high incidence of intrusion processes in this type of deposit, and the importance of the correct understanding of this evidence within the framework of early agriculture within Neolithic societies, it is essential that several items are radiocarbon dated before any further work is carried out. The samples for radiocarbon dating should include cereal grain and a sample of a wild plant (typically, a hazel nutshell fragment) from a selection of key assemblages (three features).
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Bronk Ramsey, C and Lee, S, 2013 Recent and planned developments of the Program OxCal, Radiocarbon 55 (2–3), 720–30
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CIfA 2014a Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation. Reading, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
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English Heritage 2011 Environmental Archaeology: a guide to theory and practice of methods, from sampling and recovery to post-excavation. Swindon, Centre for Archaeology Guidelines
Field, D and McOmish, D 2017 The Making of Prehistoric Wiltshire. Amberley Publishing
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McKinley, J I 2013, Cremation: excavation, analysis, and interpretation of material from cremation- related contexts in S Tarlow and L Nilsson Stutz (eds), The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Death and Burial, 147–71. Oxford University Press
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Powell, A.B and Barclay, A. forthcoming Between and Beyond the Monuments: prehistoric activity on the downlands south-east of Amesbury. Wessex Archaeology Monograph
Powell, A B, Beach, S and Lievers, M forthcoming Prehistoric deposition, burial and settlement on Salisbury Plain: archaeological investigations along the new military tracks, 2009–2012. Wiltshire Archaeol Natur Hist Mag
Reimer, P J, Bard, E, Bayliss, A, Beck, J W, Blackwell, P G, Bronk Ramsey, C, Grootes, P M, Guilderson, T P, Heaton, T J, Hoffmann, D L, Hogg, A G, Hughes, K A, Kaiser, K F, Kromer, B, Manning, S W, Nui, M, Reimer, R W, Scott, E M, Southon, J R, Staff, R A, Turney, C S M, and van der Plicht, J 2013 IntCal13 and Marine 13 Calibration Curve, 0– 50,000 Years BP, Radiocarbon 55 (4)
Roberts, C. and Manchester, K. 1997 The Archaeology of Disease. Sutton
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Serjeantson D 2011 Review of Animal Remains from the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age of Southern Britain (4000 BC – 1500 BC). English Heritage Res Dep Rep Ser 29-2011
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Stuiver, M, and Reimer, P J, 1986 A computer program for radiocarbon age calculation, Radiocarbon 28, 1022–30
Thompson, S and Powell, A B 2018 Along Prehistoric Lines: Neolithic, Iron Age and Romano- British activity at the former MOD Headquarters, Durrington, Wiltshire. Wessex Archaeology Occasional Paper
Wessex Archaeology 2005 Development of New Football Pitch, Allanbrooke Barracks, Larkhill, Wiltshire: archaeological watching brief. Unpublished report ref. 60660.01
Wessex Archaeology 2009 Alanbrooke Barracks, Larkhill Camp, Larkhill, Wiltshire: archaeological watching brief report. Unpublished report ref. 70411.05
Wessex Archaeology 2014a Project Allenby/Connaught, Larkhill, Wiltshire: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment. Unpublished report ref. 101480.41
Wessex Archaeology 2014b Army Basing Programme (ABP), Wiltshire – Bulford, Larkhill, Perham Down and Tidworth: archaeological watching brief report. Unpublished report ref. 105290.12
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Wessex Archaeology 2014c Land to the North, West and South of Bishopdown Farm, Salisbury, Wiltshire: post-excavation assessment and updated project design. Unpublished report ref. 101630.01
Wessex Archaeology 2015a Larkhill Officer and SNCO Mess Development: detailed gradiometer survey report. Unpublished report ref. 107944.01
Wessex Archaeology 2015b Army Basing Programme (ABP) Bulford, Larkhill, Perham Down and Tidworth Military Camps: written scheme of investigation and project design for archaeological works. Unpublished report ref. 106920.01
Wessex Archaeology 2015c Old Sarum Airfield (Area C), Salisbury, Wiltshire: archaeological evaluation report. Unpublished report ref. 66013.3
Wessex Archaeology 2016a Army Basing Programme (ABP) Larkhill Areas 2004, 2012, 2018 and 2020: interim archaeological evaluation report. Unpublished report ref. 109510.04
Wessex Archaeology 2016b Greentrees School, Bishopdown, Salisbury, Wiltshire: post-excavation assessment and updated project design. Unpublished report ref. 105121.02
Wessex Archaeology forthcoming a Archaeological excavation report for the land adjacent to Stonehenge Golf Course (Larkhill SFA).
Wessex Archaeology forthcoming b Archaeological excavation report for Bulford Anglo Saxon Cemetery and Neolithic landscape.
Zohary, D, and Hopf, M, 2000, Domestication of Plants in the Old World: the origin and spread of cultivated plants in West Asia, Europe, and the Nile Valley (3rd edition). Oxford, Clarendon Press,
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APPENDIX: ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Table 10 Assessment of the charred plant remains and charcoal (Areas 2002 and 2003) Sample code Feat. Cont. Vol Flot Bioturbation Grain Chaff Cereal notes Charred Charred other notes Charcoal Charcoal Other Analysis (l) (ml) proxies other >4/2 mm Middle Neolithic pits 109516_1026 19631 19632 30 250 75%, C, E, I C - Triticeae - - <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1027 19633 40 120 75%, C, E - - - - - <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1028 19634 50 100 40%, B, E, I C - Hordeum vulgare - - 5ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1029 19660 30 175 75%, C, E - - - - - <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1030 19661 40 120 60%, C, E, I - - - - - <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1031 19662 44 60 60%, C, E, I - - - - - 5ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1046 19690 19691 17 45 80%, C, E, I - - - - - <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1047 19692 17 50 30%, C, E, I - - - C Corylus avellana <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1049 19693 20 45 75%, C, E - - - - - <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1050 19694 20 40 80%, C, E, I - - - C Corylus avellana 1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1048 19721 17 60 60%, C, E, I - - - C Corylus avellana 3ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1051 19722 10 50 40%, C, E - - - C Corylus avellana 3ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1043 19711 19712 30 80 90%, C, E - - - C Corylus avellana <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1044 19726 19727 10 60 80%, C, E, I C - Triticeae C Corylus avellana Trace Mature Moll-t 109516_1045 19736 19737 25 160 50%, C, E, I - - - C Corylus avellana <1ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1060 19799 19801 20 60 90%, E - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t C14, P 109516_1061 19802 10 100 90%, E C C Triticum dicoccum C Indet. fruit mesocarp <1 ml Mature Moll-t glume base, Triticum sp. grain 109516_1062 19803 20 140 90%, E C - Triticeae, cf. C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t Hordeum vulgare 109516_1063 19804 10 65 90%, E, I - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1064 19800 19805 20 90 90%, E - - - C Corylus avellana, 2 ml Mature + Moll-t Arrhenatherum roundwood elatius subsp. bulbosum
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Sample code Feat. Cont. Vol Flot Bioturbation Grain Chaff Cereal notes Charred Charred other notes Charcoal Charcoal Other Analysis (l) (ml) proxies other >4/2 mm 109516_1065 19806 20 200 90%, E C - Triticeae C Corylus avellana, 2 ml Mature + Moll-t Arrhenatherum roundwood elatius subsp. bulbosum 109516_1066 19807 10 100 90%, E - - - C Malva sp. <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1079 19808 19 100 90%, C, I - - - C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1080 19809 20 110 90%, E C - Triticeae fragments C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1081 19810 10 90 90%, E, I - - - C Arrhenatherum <1 ml Mature Moll-t elatius subsp. bulbosum 109516_1071 19811 19812 21 100 90%, C, E C - Triticeae C Corylus avellana 2 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1082 19816 19817 27 100 90%, C, I - - - C Corylus avellana, <1 ml Mature Moll-t Poaceae culm 109516_1083 19817 26 200 90%, C, I - - - B Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1086 19818 19819 10 45 75%, C, I C - cf. Triticum sp. - - Trace Mature Moll-t (A**) 109516_1087 19820 10 40 20%, B, I - - - C Corylus avellana Trace Mature + Moll-t roundwood 109516_1088 19821 8 35 20%, C, I - - - C Corylus avellana 1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1090 19831 20 30 2%, C, I - - - - - Trace Mature Moll-t 109516_1091 19832 19 80 50%, C, I - - - C Corylus avellana Trace Mature Moll-t (A**) 109516_1089 19830 19818 20 50 2%, C, I - - - C Corylus avellana 1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1092 19916 19917 25 500 80%, B, E, I, F - - - C Corylus avellana, 2 ml Mature Moll-t Poaceae culm (A***) Beaker pits 109516_1075 18551 18552 20 60 25%, B, F C - Hordeum vulgare, C Corylus avellana, 2 ml Mature Sab, P, C14 Triticeae Polygonaceae, Moll-t Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae culm + grain 109516_1068 18553 10 30 25% - - - C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1074 7 50 50% - - - - - 1 ml Mature Moll-t
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Sample code Feat. Cont. Vol Flot Bioturbation Grain Chaff Cereal notes Charred Charred other notes Charcoal Charcoal Other Analysis (l) (ml) proxies other >4/2 mm 109516_1067 18554 19 60 90%, E, I - - - C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1073 29 60 90%, E - - - C Trifoliae, Corylus 2 ml Mature Moll-t avellana 109516_1072 18555 32 90 90%, E C - Hordeum vulgare, B Corylus avellana, 2 ml Mature Moll-t, Triticum sp. Galium sp., Sab Triticeae Hyoscyamus niger, Chenopodiaceae 109516_1078 32 90 50% C - Hordeum vulgare, A Galium sp., Corylus 5 ml Mature + Moll-t Triticeae grain avellana, Poaceae roundwood, fragment culm, indet. bud phytophagous holes 109516_1076 18556 4 10 90% - - - C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1077 18557 18 60 50% - - - A Corylus avellana, 2 ml Mature Moll-t Poaceae culm 109516_1069 18552 17 35 25% C - Triticeae C Corylus avellana 2 ml Mature Moll-t, –6 Sab 109516_1070 8 30 50% C - Triticeae, cf. C Corylus avellana 2 ml Mature Moll-t Hordeum vulgare 109516_1084 18560 18561 6 35 20%, B, I C - cf. Triticeae - - Trace Mature Moll-t (A**) 109516_1085 7 50 20%, B, I, F - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t (A**) 109516_1094 19902 19903 40 30 60%, C, E, I C - cf. Triticum sp. - - Trace Mature Moll-t (A***) 109516_1093 19904 126 150 60%, C, E, I C - Hordeum vulgare C Poaceae Trace Mature + Moll-t roundwood (A***) Roundhouse 20212 109516_1032 19640 19641 8 60 90%, B, E - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1033 19645 19646 8 55 50%, C, E, I C Corylus avellana, <1 ml Mature + Poaceae roundwood 109516_1034 19647 19648 6 60 50%, C, E - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109516_1035 19649 19650 10 90 50%, C, E, I C - Triticeae culm node C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature + Moll-t roundwood
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Sample code Feat. Cont. Vol Flot Bioturbation Grain Chaff Cereal notes Charred Charred other notes Charcoal Charcoal Other Analysis (l) (ml) proxies other >4/2 mm 109516_1036 19671 19672 5 15 50%, C, E C - Hordeum vulgare - - <1 ml Mature + Moll-t roundwood 109516_1037 19673 19674 8 45 90%, C, E - - - - - <1 ml Mature + Moll-t roundwood 109516_1038 19675 19676 2 10 50%, B, E ------Moll-t 109516_1039 19677 19678 7 40 75%, C, E - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t Ditch 20214 109516_1052 18519 18520 20 125 90%, C, E, I C - Hordeum vulgare, C Chenopodiaceae, <1 ml Mature Moll-t Triticum sp. glume Galium sp. base and grain, Triticeae 109516_1053 18519 18521 20 200 90%, C, E B - Triticeae C Poaceae, Rumex sp. <1 ml Mature + Moll-t roundwood Key: A*** = exceptional, A** = 100+, A* = 30-99, A = >10, B = 9-5, C = <5; Bioturbation proxies: Roots (%), Uncharred seeds (scale of abundance), F = mycorrhyzal fungi sclerotia, E = earthworm eggs, I = insects; Sab = small animal bones, Moll-t = terrestrial molluscs; Analysis: P = plant, C14 = radiocarbon
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Table 11 Assessment of the charred plant remains and charcoal from previous phase of work (Areas 2004 and 2012)
Sample code Feat. Cont. Vol Flot Bioturbation Grain Chaff Cereal notes Charred Charred other Charcoal Charcoal Other Analysis (l) (ml) proxies other notes >4/2 mm Pits 109510_1002 8004 8005 48 375 50%, I, E A - Triticum sp. and C Vicieae, 5 ml Mature + Moll-t Hordeum vulgare Chenopodiaceae, roundwood grains, Triticeae Corylus avellana, culm Galium sp., Poaceae 109510_1000 8304 8306 10 15 1% - - - C Galium sp. 5 ml Mature Moll-t P, C14 109510_1001 8304 8306 5.5 35 5% B C Hordeum - - 20 ml Mature Moll-t vulgare, Triticum sp., Triticeae culm 109510_1003 15005 15007 10 30 50%, I C - Triticeae grain, C Corylus avellana <1 ml Mature Moll-t Triticum sp. glume base 109510_1004 15008 15010 10 5 50%, I C - Triticeae - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t 109510_1005 15011 15013 9 15 25%, I - - - - - <1 ml Mature Moll-t Key: A*** = exceptional, A** = 100+, A* = 30-99, A = >10, B = 9-5, C = <5; Bioturbation proxies: Roots (%), Uncharred seeds (scale of abundance), F = mycorrhyzal fungi sclerotia, E = earthworm eggs, I = insects; Sab = small animal bones, Moll-t = terrestrial molluscs; Analysis: P = plant, C14 = radiocarbon
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412750 413000
Knighton long barrow
Area detail
145250
Ditch 1008 1012 Area 2002 (ABHGEN) 1013 1011
1010 2005 watching brief TR186 TR189 TR188
TR190 TR185
TR187 Mitigation area TR190 Development area Area 2003 Scheduled Monument (ABSJEN) Strip, map and record excavation Evaluation trench
Watching brief 0 100 m Archaeology 2009 watching brief
Date: 11/05/2018 Revision Number: 0 Survey data supplied by the Client. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright and database right 2018. Coordinate system: OSGB36 (OSTN15/OSGM15) Scale: Main 1:2000 at A3 Illustrator: KL This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. Path: X:\PROJECTS\109516\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\eval\2018_03_06\fig01.dwg
Site location plan Figure 1 WNW ESE 145.80 mOD
19730 19720 19604 19711 Group 3 19605
Grave 19740 20204 19603 19606 20208 20212 19607 0 0.5 m
19690 19688 19623 19631 see Fig. 4 Section A: SSW facing section ditch 20205 Section A Group 1 19635 N S 20216 19619 143.51 19615 20217 20206 20103 20102
20205 20203 20101
20098 20100
20099 20207 20205 0 1 m Group 4 19800
19799 19728 Section B: West facing section ditch 20211
19730
20088
19902 19916
20200 Group 5 19811
20202 19816 20201
Section B 20077 20205 19818 19944 20041 20211
20024 Group 7 20209 20152 20210 20132 20015 145250
20136 20156
20158
0 50 m
Coordinate system: OSGB36 (OSTN15/OSGM15) 413000 413250
Mitigation area Neolithic 19th century Date: 18/06/2018 Revision Number: 0 Development area Beaker This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. WWI practice trench Scale: Plan 1:1000; Sections 1:40 & 1:25 at A3 Illustrator: KL Strip, map and record excavation Late prehistoric Modern disturbance Watching brief Romano-British Uncertain date Path: X:\PROJECTS\109516\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\pxa\2018_13_12\fig02.dwg Site plan of Area 2002 (ABHGEN) showing the archaeological phasing Figure 2 Tr189 Tr186
Group 6 18560 18551
Tr188
Tr185
Grave 18807
Grave 18810 Tr190 walls
wall
18509 Structure 20215 Grave 19009 walls
Mitigation area 20214 Strip, map and record excavation
Tr187 Evaluation trench Middle Bronze Age Tr190 Beaker WWII shelter trench Modern archaeology Modern disturbance Uncertain date
0 25 m
Coordinate system: OSGB36 (OSTN15/OSGM15)
Date: 18/06/2018 Revision Number: 0
This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. Scale: 1:500 at A4 Illustrator: KL
Path: X:\PROJECTS\109516\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\pxa\2018_13_12\fig02.dwg
Site plan of Area 2003 (ABJGEN) showing the archaeological phasing Figure 3 19640 19625 19647
19677 19649
19671
19675
19673 0 1 m
Coordinate system: OSGB36 (OSTN15/OSGM15)
Date: 23/04/2018 Revision Number: 0
This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. Scale: 1:25 at A4 Illustrator: KL
Path: X:\PROJECTS\109516\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\pxa\2018_13_12\fig02.dwg
Plan of roundhouse 20212 Figure 4 SUERC-77419
SUERC-77418
SUERC-77417
2600 2400 2200 2000 1800 1600 1400
at 95% confidence (cal BC)
Date: 23/04/2018 Revision Number: 0
This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. n/a Layout: KL No unauthorised reproduction. Scale: Path: X:\PROJECTS\109516\Graphics_Office\Rep figs\pxa\2018_13_12\fig05.cdr
Radiocarbon dates obtained on selected human remains (OxCal v4.2) Figure 5 Plate 1: Pit 19631, viewed from south, 0.2 m scale
Plate 2: Pit 19690, viewed from north, 0.2 m scale
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Plates 1 and 2 Plate 3: Pit 19818, viewed from north, 0.2 m scale
Plate 4: Pit 19902, viewed from south-east, 1.0 m scale
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Plates 3 and 4 Plate 5: West-facing section of pit 18551, 0.5 m scale
Plate 6: Inhumation grave 18807, viewed from south-west, 0.5 m scale
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Plates 5 and 6 Plate 7: Inhumation grave 18810, viewed from west, 1.0 m scale
Plate 8: Inhumation grave 19740, viewed from west, 0.1 m scale
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Plates 7 and 8 Plate 9: Inhumation grave 19009, viewed from north, 0.2 m scale
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