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Following the excavation of 31 sieved test pits (link to update 19), a further 2.1ha of Nosterfield Quarry has been stripped of topsoil in the current watching brief area. Unlike the previous phase of topsoil stripping, where two square enclosures and a pit containing the remains of four horses were recorded, no further evidence for prehistoric activity has been discovered. Instead, the area was characterised by the presence of a number natural features, plough furrows, hedge lines and drains (see map).
A total of 33 tree pits were mapped. Of these a total of 17 were excavated. These features were crescent or sub-oval in shape and filled with distinctive deposits of black silt and yellow clay. Whilst some of these anomalies occurred in isolation, the majority were clustered in small groups or sometimes as opposing pairs separated by a spread of disturbed subsoil. The pattern of natural features in this area of the site appears to be a continuation of that recorded in the previous phase of topsoil stripping immediately to the west.
A total of eight badly truncated furrows were recorded crossing the watching brief area on a NE-SW alignment. These varied in depth between 0.15m and 0.02m and were spaced at regular intervals of approximately 10m. Six of the furrows were sampled. The remaining two were too ephemeral to merit excavation. Their poor survival is an indication of the level of erosion caused by later ploughing.
The furrows were cut by a NW-SE aligned ditch (F395). This feature was a continuation of F342, excavated in 2003 immediately to the northwest of the current area. When excavated, F395 was found to have an irregular profile which suggested that it had been recut at some time. A second ditch (F394) was identified running perpendicular to F395 to the southwest. F394 butt ended 2.8m from the edge of F395 to create a gap which was marked by the presence of three well defined postholes (F408, F409 and F410). This arrangement appears to represent a possible gated access between fields defined by the two features. The location and alignment of F394 corresponded with a field boundary recorded in 19th century maps. Its heavily rooted backfill suggests that this feature, along with F395 may have been a hedgeline.
Along the eastern edge of the watching brief area a large deposit of marl was recorded which corresponded with a depression visible in the field. The marl was covered by a 0.2m thick deposit of peat (C1812) which in turn was sealed by a 0.2m thick layer of sterile grey clay (C1813). These deposits infilled the depression which suggested that for much of the past the area would have been wet and boggy, a notion further supported by the presence of series of land drains which were recorded feeding into it from the west and north. Only a small area of the marl and peat has been exposed, the full investigation of this feature will be carried out on completion of the topsoil stripping of the area.
A 1.3ha area remains to be stripped within the present phase. It is envisaged that this will begin on the 1st of June.
Interactive Plan: Current watching brief area. View
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