EDO6214 - West Knighton Farm, Highgate Lane, West Knighton; evaluation 2016

Evaluation comprising the machine excavation of three trenches, each measuring 8m by 1.6m. Topsoil and overburden were removed by mechanical excavator using a toothless bucket, and stopping when archaeological deposits or natural subsoil were exposed. Evidence for archaeological activity including features of post-medeival and earlier date, and some features of uncertain origin, was found in two of the trenches. In Trench 1 a gravel surface and made ground sat on top of natural gravels/clay into which were cut a number of features, including part of a wall foundation and pits. The wall coincided with a terrace of buildings shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map and this and the pits were thought likely to be of 19th-century date. In Trench 3 part of a linear feature interpreted as a probable post-medieval field boundary was recorded, and a gully containing 13th-century pottery, suggesting further activity of this date within or near the proposed development area.