Normanton
Golf Course
Printed from the APC web site: navigation and non-essential images removed.
Please view on-line for full content (URL at end of document).
A scheme of archaeological evaluation and excavation was undertaken in advance and during development on the site of a former golf course at Normanton, West Yorkshire (NGR SE 3952 2210). The fieldwork was undertaken on behalf of Mike Griffiths and Associates for Bellway Homes between November 1997 and November 1999, with a final phase of watching brief in 2001.
Activity from the Neolithic to post-medieval periods was encountered during fieldwork. A Neolithic flint knife was recovered from topsoil at the site and is the earliest indicator of activity. The investigation was concentrated a substantial rectilinear enclosure dated by pottery and radiocarbon dating to between the 5th century BC and the 2nd century AD. Eight principal phases of prehistoric activity were defined, two of which preceded the excavation of the square-ditch enclosure and may represent continuity from the Bronze Age. Subsequent phases of activity centred around the enclosure ditch, which was fully excavated, and appeared to have been recut several times from the Iron Age to Early Roman period. Associated features consisted of a series of five curvilinear structures within the enclosure, defined by gullies, post- and stakeholes, as well as rare pits. Investigation of the surrounding area and hinterland revealed the enclosure was set within a contemporary managed landscape, which continued to be divided from the Iron age to Roman period onwards.
Later periods were represented by three principal phases of activity. A waterlogged oak log recovered from a ditch was radiocarbon dated to the 7th century AD. The medieval period was characterised by a system of ridge and furrow cultivation encountered in most zones of the site. Post-medieval activity was confined to partial levelling of the medieval ridge and furrow cultivation in some areas of the site with associated drainage schemes.
Acknowledgements
Field Archaeology Specialists Ltd are grateful to the staff of Bellway Homes. We would also like to thank Ian Sanderson, Principal Archaeologist, West Yorkshire Archaeology Service Advisory Service, for his advice and support.
apc > mga > projects > normanton golf course