NHER 65130 (Monument record) - Potentially prehistoric, Roman and undated remains

February-March 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development area (Area 1).
This survey identified no anomalies of obvious archaeological significance.
A north-to-south aligned band of magnetic disturbance running through the central part of the field corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Swainsthorpe tithe map (S1) and the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S2).
A short east-to-west aligned anomaly emerging from the western end of the field appears to continue the line of one of several cropmarks mapped in this field that are also thought to represent post-medieval field boundaries. There was however no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with either the remaining cropmarks in this group (NHER 52001) or a small number of fragmentary, differently-aligned cropmarks that potentially represent earlier remains (NHER 52000).
The only other responses of possible interest were several parallel, weak, north-to-south aligned linear anomalies in the north-west corner of the field, one of which appears to turn through ninety degrees (to the west) at its southern end.
A number of large, irregular bands of magnetic enhancement in the eastern half of the field are of probable geological origin.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 July 2021.

February-June 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of part of large proposed development area (Trenches 240-248, 252-265 and 270-291).
The 45 trenches excavated at this location revealed various ditches and a small number of scattered discrete features, the majority of which produced little or no dating evidence. The finds recovered do though provide evidence for at least some limited prehistoric and Roman period activity. These objects include a small number of Neolithic worked flints, although these were all likely to be residual within later contexts. Potentially prehistoric features included a pit in the central part of the site that contained three sherds of probable Early Iron Age pottery and what was presumably an intrusive fragment of post-medieval brick. Single sherds of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age and later Iron Age pottery were also recovered from two east-to-west aligned ditches to the east.
Two east-to-west aligned ditches at the eastern end of the site both contained assemblages of early Roman pottery, with one being particularly notable due to the presence of fragments of two imitation Black Burnished Ware vessels. Neither of these ditches could be traced into adjacent trenches and no other features of potential Roman date were identified.
The majority of the other ditches uncovered were of uncertain date - the only exceptions being north-to-south and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned features that are both likely to correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Swainsthorpe tithe map (S1). Finds recovered from these ditches included fragments of post-medieval tile and several iron objects of likely late post-medieval/modern date.
A number of the trenches excavated at the western end of the site coincided with a series of previously recorded linear cropmarks likely to represent post-medieval field boundaries (NHER 52001). Of these only one was found to have associated sub-surface remains, with no dating evidence recorded from this ditch (it should be noted that other cropmark features in this group couldn’t be investigated as they fell within the exclusion zone around an overhead power line). Two cropmarks that are part of the group recorded as NHER 52000 were also found to have no associated sub-surface remains.
Undated discrete features recorded in this field included a small number of probable pits and a single possible post-hole. All appear to have been fairly unremarkable.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 March 2024.