Goose Willow Farm Hanney Road

Steventon Oxfordshire

Archaeological Watching Brief

July2014

for

Ikaros Solar Ltd

CA Project: 4396 CA Report: 13444

Goose Willow Farm Hanney Road

Steventon Oxfordshire

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 4396 CA Report: 13444

prepared by Tom Weavill, Project Supervisor

Luke Brannlund, Supervisor Designate

date 22 July 2014

checked by Richard Young/Ian Barnes, Project Managers

date 22 July 2014

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 22 July 2014

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely

at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 3

The site .............................................................................................................. 3

Archaeological background ................................................................................ 4

Archaeological objectives ................................................................................... 4

Methodology....................................................................................................... 5

2. RESULTS (FIG 2) .............................................................................................. 5

3. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 6

4. CA PROJECT TEAM .......................................................................................... 6

5. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 6

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................... 8

APPENDIX B: FINDS REPORT………………………………………………………………10

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM .......................................................................... 10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)

Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks (1:2000)

Fig. 3 Trench 2 (looking north)

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Summary

Project Name: Goose Willow Farm

Location: Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire

NGR: SU 4457 9292

Type: Watching Brief

Date: 1 and 4 July 2013 and 17 February to 13 March 2014

Planning Reference: P12/V2112/FUL and P13/V1975/FUL

Location of Archive: To be deposited with the County Museum Store at Standlake

Accession Number: OXCMS: 2013.100

Site Code: GWF 13

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during

groundworks associated with the construction of a solar farm at Goose Willow Farm, Hanney

Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire.

A tree throw pit was identified during the watching brief and two residual body sherds of

prehistoric pottery were recovered from the subsoil. No archaeological features were

observed.

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Between July 2013 and March 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an

archaeological watching brief for Ikaros Solar Ltd at Goose Willow Farm, Hanney

Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire (centred on NGR: SU 4457 9292; Fig. 1). The

watching brief was completed in two phases to fulfil condition numbers 9 and 14

attached to planning consents granted by the Vale of the White Horse District

Council (VWHDC) for a solar farm and associated infrastructure (VWHDC Planning

references P12/V2112/FUL (Phase 1) and P13/V1975/FUL (Phase 2) respectively).

The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed

during the development.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a brief (OCC 2013) prepared

by Hugh Coddington, Principal Archaeologist, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC),

archaeological advisor to VWHDC, and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme

of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2013) and approved by Hugh Coddington.

The fieldwork also followed the Standard and guidance for an archaeological

watching brief (IfA 2009), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English

Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic

Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site

1.3 The proposed development site is approximately 53ha in extent, lies at

approximately 62m AOD and is flat (Fig. 1). It is located to the north of Hanney

Road, approximately 1km west of the western outskirts of Steventon and 2.5km

south-west of the A34. The proposed development site currently comprises three

large arable fields, divided by mature hedgerows.

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Gault Formation

Mudstone of the Cretaceous era (BGS 2014). Clay and gravel was encountered at

the base of all observed groundworks.

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Archaeological background

1.5 A heritage desk-based assessment relating to the site has been produced by CA

(2012). Whilst it is not intended to duplicate the results of that report, the salient

points are summarised below.

1.6 The below ground remains of a series of Middle Iron Age/Romano-British

agricultural enclosures, initially identified from cropmark evidence, have been

recorded immediately to the west of the site through archaeological trial trenching

(CAT 1997). The enclosures appear to have formed part of a wider network of

paddocks and fields that are likely to have been utilised for controlling livestock.

There is no strong cropmark evidence to suggest these enclosures extended into

the site, although underlying geological conditions within the site may have

prevented the formation of cropmarks.

1.7 The alignment of the former Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal extends along the

western boundary of the site. This 19th-century canal was infilled in the mid 20th

century and there are no extant remains relating to this feature surviving within the

site.

1.8 A geophysical survey of the site identified a group of potential ditches and pits in the

north-western part of the site. The potential ditches appear to represent elements of

enclosures of similar size and orientation to those previously identified to the west of

the site (PCG 2013).

Archaeological objectives

1.9 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried

archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development

groundworks;

at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work

and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions

that can be drawn from the recorded data.

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Methodology

1.10 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2013). An

archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the stripping of

soils for access tracks and compounds, and the excavation of service trenches (Fig.

2).

1.11 Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA

Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.12 The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble

and will be deposited with the County Museum Store at Standlake under accession

number OXCMS: 2013.100. A summary of information from this project, set out

within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological

projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2 AND 3)

2.1 The natural geological substrate consisting of yellow brown clay, was revealed

within all the excavations at an average depth of 0.3m below present ground level.

This was directly overlain by subsoil and topsoil.

2.2 A truncated tree throw pit, 203, was observed in Trench 2. Two sherds of late

Bronze Age/early Iron Age pottery from the same vessel were recovered from the

subsoil.

2.3 No further features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during

groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no more artefactual material was

recovered.

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the application area the watching brief

identified no archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. Two

fragments of residual late Bronze Age/early Iron Age pottery were recovered from

the subsoil. The absence of archaeological deposits may indicate that features

identified by cropmark evidence and/or geophysical survey surrounding the site

either do not extend into the site, were not exposed by the development, or that they

may have been completely truncated by later agricultural activity. Likewise, no

remains relating to the former Wiltshire and Berkshire canal were identified.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

4.1 Fieldwork was undertaken by Luke Brannlund, Sian Reynish, Tom Weavill and Jay

Wood. The report was written by Tom Weavill and Luke Brannlund. The finds report

was written by Jacky Sommerville. The illustrations were prepared by Peter Moore

and Aleksandra Osinka. The archive has been compiled by Tom Weavill, and

prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by

Richard Young and Ian Barnes.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer

http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html

Accessed 26 June 2013.

CAT (Cotswold Archaeological Trust) 1997 Abingdon Reservoir Proposal, Oxfordshire 1997:

Archaeological Evaluation C-13b Vol.I and II

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 Land at Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Oxfordshire:

Heritage Desk-Based Assessment, CA Report No. 12241.

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon,

Oxfordshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief.

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

OCC (Oxfordshire County Council) 2013 Goose Willow Farm, Steventon: Design Brief for

Archaeological Watching Brief.

PCG (Pre Construct Geophysics Ltd.) 2013 Archaeological Geophysical Survey, Land at

Goose Willow Farm, Steventon, Oxfordshire, CNGR TG 2253 1436

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench No.

Context No.

Type Fill of Context interpretation

Description L (m) W (m)

Depth/thickness (m)

Spot-date

1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark greyish brown clayey silt 0.29

1 101 Layer Natural Dark bluish grey clay overlain by a yellowish brown clay

N/A

1a 100 Layer Topsoil Mid grey-brown silt clay 0.1

1a 101 Layer Subsoil Dark grey brown silt clay 0.2

1a 102 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

2 200 Layer Topsoil Mid grey-brown silt clay 0.2

2 201 Layer Subsoil Dark grey-brown silt clay 0.2

2 202 Layer Natural Orange clay/Blue clay and gravel n/a

2 203 Layer Tree throw pit Oval in plan with irregular profile 1 0.4 0.14

2 204 Layer 203 Fill of tree throw pit Dark orange-grey silt clay 1 0.4 0.14

3 300 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

3 301 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

3 302 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

4 400 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

4 401 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

4 402 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

5 500 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

5 501 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

5 502 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

6 600 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

6 601 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

6 602 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

7 700 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

7 701 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.4

7 702 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

8 800 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

8 801 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.3

8 802 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

9 900 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

9 901 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.3

9 902 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

10 1000 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

10 1001 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

10 1002 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

11 1100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

11 1101 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

11 1102 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

12 1200 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

12 1201 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

12 1202 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

13 1300 Layer Topsoil Mid brown-grey clay silt 0.2

13 1301 Layer Subsoil Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.2

13 1302 Layer Natural Blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

14 1400 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

14 1401 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

14 1402 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

15 1500 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

15 1501 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

15 1502 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

16 1600 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

16 1601 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

16 1602 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

17 1700 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

17 1701 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

17 1702 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

18 1800 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

18 1801 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

18 1802 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

19 1900 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

19 1901 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

19 1902 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

20 2000 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

20 2001 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

20 2002 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

21 2100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

21 2101 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

21 2102 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

22 2200 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

22 2201 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

22 2202 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

23 2300 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

23 2301 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

23 2302 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

24 2400 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

24 2401 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

24 2402 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

25 2500 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

25 2501 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

25 2502 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

26 2600 Layer Topsoil Mid brown silt clay 0.2

26 2601 Layer Subsoil Orange-brown-grey silt clay 0.2

26 2602 Layer Natural Orange/blue-grey clay with gravel n/a

27 2700 Layer Topsoil Mid grey-brown silt clay 0.2

27 2701 Layer Subsoil Dark grey-brown silt clay 0.2

27 2702 Layer Natural Orange clay/Blue clay and gravel n/a

28 2800 Layer Topsoil Mid grey-brown silt clay 0.2

28 2801 Layer Subsoil Dark grey-brown silt clay 0.2

28 2802 Layer Natural Orange clay/Blue clay and gravel n/a

29 2900 Layer Topsoil Mid grey-brown silt clay 0.2

29 2901 Layer Subsoil Dark grey-brown silt clay 0.2

29 2902 Layer Natural Orange clay/Blue clay and gravel n/a

30 3000 Layer Topsoil Mid grey-brown silt clay 0.2

30 3001 Layer Subsoil Dark grey-brown silt clay 0.2

30 3002 Layer Natural Orange clay/Blue clay and gravel n/a

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX B

Pottery: Prehistoric

Two previously joining, unfeatured bodysherds of pottery in a coarse, flint-tempered fabric

were recovered from the subsoil. The sherds were from a straight-sided, thick-walled vessel.

This pottery is attributed to the Bronze Age to Early Iron Age.

Table 1: Finds concordance

Context Description Count Weight(g) Spot-date

201 Prehistoric pottery: coarse, flint-tempered fabric 2 46 BA-EIA

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Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire

Short description

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the construction of a solar farm at Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Road, Steventon, Oxfordshire. A tree throw pit was identified during the watching brief and two residual body sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from the subsoil. No archaeological features were observed.

Project dates 1 and 4 July 2013, 17 February to 13 March 2014

Project type

Watching brief

Previous work

Desk-Based Assessment (Cotswold Archaeology 2012), Geophysical Survey (Pre-Construct Geophysics 2013)

Future work Unknown

PROJECT LOCATION

Site Location Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire

Study area (M2/ha) 53ha

Site co-ordinates SU 4457 9292

PROJECT CREATORS

Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology

Project Brief originator Oxfordshire County Council

Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Richard Young and Ian Barnes

Project Supervisor Sian Reynish, Tom Weavill, Luke Brannlund and Jay Wood

MONUMENT TYPE None

SIGNIFICANT FINDS None

PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content

Physical County Museum Store at Standlake OXCMS: 2013.100

Pottery

Paper County Museum Store at Standlake OXCMS: 2013.100

Trench sheets, context sheets, photo registers

Digital County Museum Store at Standlake OXCMS: 2013.100

Digital photos

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Goose Willow Farm, Hanney Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire. CA typescript report 13444