LAND TO THE REAR OF 10 HIGH STREET WINSLOW, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Archaeological Desk Based Assessment and Evaluation prepared by NETWORK ARCHAEOLOGY LTD. for SUMMERLEIGH PROPERTY LTD. Report 275 October 2001 CONTENTS List of contents List of figures Summary 1 1 Introduction 2 2 Procedures 3 3 Archaeological and historical background 5 4 Historic map regression 10 5 Evaluation results 12 6 Discussion 14 7 Impact Assessment 16 8 Conclusions 17 9 Archive 18 10 Acknowledgments 19 11 References 20 12 Statement of indemnity 22 Appendix A Table of archaeological contexts Appendix B Table of archaeological finds Appendix C Specialist reports Appendix D Map extracts Appendix E Figures 1 - 7 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Location of 10, High Street, Winslow, Buckinghamshire (1:50,000 scale) Figure 2: Sites and Monuments Record data, Winslow (1:25,000 scale) Figure 3: (a) Plan of the proposed development area (1:1250 scale) (b) Location of evaluation trenches 1 - 2 (1:200 scale) Figure 4: Historic map regression of proposed development area (1:1250 scale) Figure 5: Plan of Trench 1 (1:50 scale) Figure 6: North facing section of Trench 1 (1:20 scale) Figure 7: Sections through postholes 014, 016, 018, 020, 022 and 024 SUMMARY Two evaluation trenches were excavated on the site of a proposed house at 10, High Street, Winslow, Buckinghamshire. The site lies within the historic core of Winslow. It is on a narrow plot on the east side of the High Street. The proposed development area is at the east end of the plot, behind the buildings fronting onto the street. The evaluation trenches were positioned to assess the depth and level of survival of archaeological remains. The evaluation trenches established evidence of: w foundations of a post-built structure, represented by three post holes, of probable late post medieval or early modern date a fence line, represented by three post holes, of probable late post medieval or early modern date a man-made terrace, which had been backfilled with building rubble, and the founda- tions of two later walls, of early modern date, and an absence of medieval remains. w w 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Summerleigh Property Ltd. are planning to build a new house on land behind 10, High Street, Winslow, Buckinghamshire (Figure 1). As part of a predetermination process for the development, archaeological investi- gations have included: an archaeological desk based assessment, and an archaeological evaluation, the combined results of which form the basis of this report. 1.2 Reasons for the evaluation The evaluation is considered necessary because the proposed development area (PDA) lies within the presumed historic core of Winslow. 1.3 Proposed development The PDA, covering c.0.056 ha, is to be the site of a new house, driveway, parking bays and gardens. 1.4 Description of the PDA (figures 3a and 3b) Winslow stands on the brow of a small ridge of hills lying to the north east of the Claydon Brook (figure 1). The PDA is situated on a building plot on the east side of Winslow High Street just north of the Market Square. It lies at c.114m AOD (NGR 477020 227610) at the east end of the plot, behind the buildings that front onto the street (figure 3a). The mapped soil at the site is fine loamy over clayey soils with slowly permeable subsoils (Ashley), overlying chalky till (BGS 1979, SSEW 1983). However, the drift geology is actually glacial sands and gravels. The evaluation trenches encoun- tered a sandy substrate (see 5.1). Five buildings and associated boundary walls stand on the site. Three of these buildings are listed: A and B (LB6/160) and G (LB6/159). These stand at the west- ern end of the plot and are not affected by the proposed development. Two garage buildings, Q and R, stand in the PDA. 2. PROCEDURES 2.1 Desk based assessment 2.1.1 Objectives The purpose of the desk-based assessment is to consider the archaeological impli- cations of the proposed development, and to provide a basis for further stages of investigation. The objectives of the assessment are to: identify any potential archaeological remains within the PDA; assess the overall impact of the proposed development; guide the evaluation, and prepare a report that addresses the above. 2.1.2 Study Area Data collection focused mainly within a 500m radius of 10, High Street, Winslow, and included relevant sites just beyond this delineation. Background information for the area was additionally studied to provide a broader archaeological context. 2.1.3 Data Sources Buckinghamshire County Council Sites and Monuments Records: county list of known archaeological sites and finds county list of Listed Buildings vertical aerial photographs relevant archaeological reports and journals Buckinghamshire Record Office Ordnance Survey maps Buckinghamshire Local Studies Library Ordnance Survey maps, county journals and published books. 2.2 Evaluation 2.2.1 Evaluation objectives The purpose of the evaluation was to establish the potential impact of the proposed development upon significant archaeological remains. Specific objectives were to: gather sufficient information to establish the presence or absence, extent, condition, character, quality and date of any archaeological remains, paying particular attention to structural remains; determine presence, survival, condition and potential of ecofactual and environmental evidence; determine presence, survival, condition and potential of artefactual evidence, and assist with local type series; assess the need for preservation of archaeological deposits, and produce a report that addresses the above. 2.1.2 Evaluation trenches Two trenches were excavated by a JCB fitted with a 1.8m wide grading bucket (Figure 3b): Trench 1 was ‘L’ shaped (10.25m long) and ran east-west across the centre of the pro- posed house footprint. Trench 2 (1.5m long by 1m wide) was located 2m south of the eastern end of Trench 1. It was excavated to investigate the extent of the terraced feature discovered on the south- ern edge of Trench 1. w w Layers which were not deemed significant, and which extended beyond the confines of the evaluation trenches, were removed by machine. w Significant archaeological deposits were sample excavated, and a written, drawn and photographic record made, in accordance with the brief. Finds were retained, washed and then examined by appropriate specialists. 2.1.3 Standards Network Archaeology Ltd. is a Registered Archaeological Organisation (RAO) with the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA). All work has been undertaken in accordance with current health and safety legisla- tion and in line with the IFA’s: Code of Conduct (2000) Code of Approved Practice for the Regulation of Contractual Arrangements in Field Archaeology (2000) Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Evaluation (1999) Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation (1999) Standard and Guidance for Finds and Ecofact Studies and Curation (1999) Guidelines for Finds Work (1999) The management of the project was in accordance with 'Management of Archaeo- logical Projects', second edition (English Heritage, 1991). 3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND (see figure 2) The archaeological desk based assessment identified that no previous archaeologi- cal fieldwork had been carried out on the site. 3.1 Palaeolithic (c.500,000 years ago) 3.1.1 Palaeolithic culture flourished during the Pleistocene. It was a period of glaciation interspersed with long periods of slightly warmer climate. Britain was still joined to continental Europe at this time. In periods of intense cold, such as the Last Gla- ciation (25,000 – 18,000 years ago), populations retreated to the warmer parts of the continent. Palaeolithic people lived by hunting and gathering. Even during the glacial periods they made seasonal food-gathering forays into the area that is pre- sent-day Britain. 3.1.2 An Aecheulian flint flake (CASS 05891) was found resting on boulder clay in a “peat bed at Winslow”. Although the provenance of the axe is uncertain, it does suggest a low level of activity in the area during the Palaeolithic period. 3.2 Mesolithic (c.8,300 BC) 3.2.1 The separation of Britain from the Continent occurred gradually at the end of the last Ice Age. The climate became warmer and wetter encouraging the spread of birch-clumps, followed by coniferous forest, and later, mixed, broad leaved wood- lands of oak, elm and lime. Permanent human occupation of Britain began in this period, and hafted flint axes and fire were used to clear small areas of woodland. 3.2.2 Small communities of hunter-gatherers migrated seasonally between different ar- eas. Their tools were fashioned from stone, wood or bone. Spears were still used, but bows and arrows were now widespread. In addition, greater reliance was placed on composite tools, particularly small flint blades (microliths) set in wooden shafts. 3.2.3 No Mesolithic sites or find spots are known within a half kilometre radius of the development site. 3.3 Neolithic (c.5000 BC) and Bronze Age (c.2,300 BC) 3.3.1 The Neolithic period is characterised by the shift from hunting and gathering to a settled agrarian economy. This change is manifested in the archaeological record by the appearance of new artefact types - querns, sickles, pottery and polished stone axes. These began to replace the microliths, spears and digging sticks used throughout the Mesolithic period. Environmental remains support the artefactual evidence, indicating permanent land clearance by fire and axe, the introduction of wheat and sheep and the domestication of native animals such as cattle and pigs. New types of site emerged, including settlements, and large ceremonial monu- ments. 3.3.2 The Bronze Age was heralded by the introduction of metalworking technology, new types of flint-tool and new styles of pottery design from continental Europe.