EDO4247 - Fordington Farm Evaluation Trench G

The Duchy of Cornwall commissioned Wessex Archaeology to conduct an archaeological evaluation of land to the south and west of Fordington Farm , prior to the sale of the land for development. The work took place between May and October 1986. The area of a proposed new sports field was subject to geophysical survey, earthwork survey, testpitting and evaluation excavation. The remains of a Bronze Age round barrow of three identified phases was identified together with a number of possible Roman features and medieval field earthworks. Trench G was one of two trenches opened across the Fordington Farm Round Barrow. It measured 21m x 1m and was aligned E-W. It was excavated by hand in 1m x 1m squares down to bedrock. The barrow was revealed to be a three phase structure, with two earlier ditches concentric to and sealed by the final mound. This trench, nor a further one excavated through the western side of the barrow (Trench M) did not go through the centre of the earthwork but there was no suggestion that the barrow had been robbed.