NHER 68454 (Monument record) - Potentially Bronze Age ditch and post-medieval remains

April 2014. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
The small number of potentially archaeologically-significant responses include a weakly-enhanced north-east to south-west aligned linear anomaly at the southern end of the field. A more extensive north-north-east to south-south-west aligned linear anomaly corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Yelverton tithe map (S1). A group of elongated pit-like discrete anomalies to the east of this feature may also represent archaeological remains, although it is possible these responses are of natural origin.
A large discrete anomaly at the northern edge of the field corresponds with a horse-shoe shaped hollow marked at this location on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S2) – most likely a former extraction pit or quarry.
Groups of closely spaced linear anomalies recorded in several location are likely to represent the traces of past cultivation.
There was no evidence for surviving remains associated with a north-north-west to south-south-east aligned linear cropmark previously mapped at TG 2951 0289 (part of a group of probable medieval to post-medieval field boundaries recorded as NHER 52397).
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 August 2024.

June 2014. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential impact of proposed development.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 August 2024.

June 2014. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
A total of four trenches were excavated at this location – all of which targeted anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey.
The short north-east to south-west aligned linear anomaly at the southern end of the site was found to correspond with a fairly substantial ditch with a 'V'-shaped profile. Significantly, this feature was found to contain a small assemblage of handmade prehistoric pottery. A relatively broad, Late Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age date is suggested for this pottery, although the presence of a single grog-tempered sherd suggests a possible Bronze Age date for this feature.
Two trenches targeting the potentially archaeologically-significant discrete anomalies demonstrated that they were associated with natural, subsoil-filled hollows.
The final trench excavated at this location was positioned to coincide with the large anomaly at the northern edge of the field that corresponds with an open pit or quarry shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S2). Post-medieval metal objects were recovered from the lower fills of this feature, along with fragments of late post-medieval/modern glass. Its uppermost fill comprised redeposited material containing modern plastic, brick and concrete.
Unstratified finds included an Early Bronze Age flint thumbnail scraper (found near the potentially prehistoric ditch), a number of undiagnostic prehistoric flint flakes and fragments of burnt flint.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 August 2024.