Normanton
Golf Course
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Initial reconnaissance work was undertaken prior to the design of an archaeological scheme of investigation and mitigation strategy. This consisted of a series of gradiometer surveys carried out by West Yorkshire Archaeology Service (WYAS) in 1997 over the area of cropmarks, and a general topographic survey undertaken by Headland Archaeology Ltd in October 1997 over the golf course. For the purpose of this report both of these surveys are described as Intervention 1 and summarised below.
As a result of cropmarks being identified within the development area, West Yorkshire Archaeology Services were commissioned by Mike Griffiths and Associates to undertake a gradiometer survey over the southwestern part of the site. The initial survey was carried out in two areas. Area A (160m x 150m) was located on the southern side of Whin Beck and was positioned directly over the putative cropmarks. Area B (140m x 120m) was situated on the northern side of the stream, in the arable field adjacent to the golf course.
In Area A the survey defined three linear anomalies (see Figure 2). These appeared to represent a system of ditches or drains which corresponded with the features recorded on the aerial photographs. In addition to this, the gradiometer also identified a number of linear anomalies, which were interpreted as furrows, and an amorphous area of magnetic disturbance. The results from Area B to the north suggested the presence of a rectilinear enclosure, 40m x 45m, with a possible second enclosure immediately to the east. Only the western edge of this second feature was visible within the sample area although it was assumed that it continued into the golf course.
Due to the possibility that a string of enclosures was present across the site, a second gradiometer survey was commissioned in three additional adjacent areas (Areas C, D and E). Area C (320m x 120m), on the southern side of Whin Beck, was positioned immediately to the northeast of Area A. The results showed the continuation of the SW/NE aligned ditch or drain from the previous survey and alluded to the presence of a further two ditches running across eastern corner of the site.
Area D (140m x l00m) was situated to the north of the rectilinear enclosures detected in the first survey. The results from this survey showed the continuing pattern of furrows across the site in addition to a modern service trench running across the northern end of the arable field.
The third area was located on the golf course over an area of earthwork ridge and furrow and was positioned immediately to the east of Area B, over the line of the second putative enclosure ditch. The gradiometer failed to detect anything other than the furrows themselves.
Extant ridge and furrow was a predominant feature of the golf course. Headland Archaeology Ltd were commissioned by Mike Griffiths and Associates to undertake a general topographic survey in order record the form and distribution of the visible earthworks.
The golf course was divided into four strips of land by deep drainage ditches running along the same NW-SE alignment as the ridge and furrow. Later disturbance by landscaping associated with the creation of tees and greens by the golf course was present but fairly minimal. The furrows survived to an average depth of 0.2m and varied from area to area in both their spacing and intervals. All of the furrows were aligned NW/SE and gently curved in the form of a reversed 'S' across the survey area.
In addition to detecting six separate divisions of cultivation (Areas 1 to 6), the survey also identified evidence for two possible hollow ways. At the northern end of the site a slightly curved shallow ditch 3.5m wide and 0.2m deep followed the boundary of the site on a rough SW/NE alignment and could be traced on the ground for a distance of 40m. The second possible hollow way was located halfway along the eastern site boundary. It comprised a 40m long, 6m wide shallow ditch which ran into the site in a slight curve on an east-west alignment. Low banks were recorded to either side of this feature.
No interpretation of these features was offered in the report. However, the remains appear to represent a general pattern of ridge and furrow cultivation which is likely to be medieval in origin. Differences in the distribution and spacing of the furrows implies that the original arrangement of land use was altered and redefined at various points in at least Area 3. The variation in the spacing of furrows recorded in each of the surveyed areas may represent different regimes of cultivation in separate fields. The different fields were defined by the four dykes that divided up the present golf course. This implies that the dykes which were recorded in this survey represent old boundaries which were contemporary with the medieval system of cultivation. A study of the 1852 Ordnance Survey Map (Figure 4) supports this notion as it clearly shows a contemporary subdivision of land which is reflected in the position of the ditches on the present golf course.
Opportunities to investigate these dykes were limited by their use as drains during the course of the archaeological investigation. All of the dykes had been subject to regular cleaning and re-excavation by golf course staff.
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