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Nosterfield : Archaeological Watching Brief
Summary
Client
Mike Griffiths and Assocs.
57 Langholm Crescent
Darlington
DL3 7SX
Objectives
To identify any archaeological remains exposed during topsoil and subsoil stripping.
Methodology
Close archaeological supervision was maintained during topsoil and subsoil stripping. All spoil was inspected for artefacts and a full written, drawn and photographic record was made of any archaeological features.
Results
No archaeological features or artifacts were identified or recovered.
Introduction
Archaeological Services WYAS were commissioned to carry out an archaeological watching brief on the 29th January 1997 on an area within the Nosterfield Quarry. The investigation was designed to identify and record any archaeological features in advance of the proposed quarrying.
Archaeological Background
Nosterfield is approximately quarter of a mile north of the northern most henge of the 'Thomborough Complex', one of the most important prehistoric ritual landscapes in Britain. Previous work in the area has uncovered a number of pits dating from the Neolithic period. The area adjacent and to the west of the subject area produced artefacts of a Neolithic date.
Methodology
An area 60m by 7m was stripped of soil down to the natural gravel. The operation was carried out using a tracked backactor mechanical excavator under direct archaeological supervision. The topsoil was stripped and scanned for artefacts. Subsequently the subsoil was removed in a series of controlled spits until the natural geological strata of sandy gravel was reached. This surface was then inspected for negative features. A photographic record was made of this process.
Results (Fig. 1)
The dark brown stony topsoil was inspected for artefacts but contained none. The brownish grey stony subsoil was also inspected with the same result. There were no features cut into the natural yellowish orange gravel. This area of the site would appear to be devoid of any identifiable archaeological activity.
Figure 1. Location of Nosterfield , North Yorkshire
Acknowledgements
Project manager: Mr C. Moloney.
Field work: Mr C. S. Hum
Report: Mr C. S. Hum.
Graphics: Miss E. Carter.