Ladybridge Farm: Evaluation Trench (Intervention 28)

Intervention 28 was situated 28.80m from the northern boundary of Zone D within Zone B. This machine-excavated trench measured 50m x 4m and was orientated east-west. Ground surface sloped down from c.41.15m AOD at the western end of the trench to c.40.55m AOD at the eastern end. The dark yellowish-brown ploughsoil (C1123) was found to be c.0.40m in depth throughout the trench and overlay an orangish-brown gravel and clayey silt subsoil (C1124) which became more grey and silty towards the eastern end of the trench.

A single feature, F32 was identified within Intervention 28 and was situated against the southern edge of the trench and continued beyond it. It appeared as a possibly circular deposit of dark olive grey sandy clay measuring c.0.70m in diameter. The entire available area was excavated and the feature proved to be a shallow, possibly sub-rectangular cut with steep sides and a flat base. Definition of the feature’s edges against C1124 was problematic, but two deposits were identified during excavation, C1214 and C1215. C1215 was the earliest backfill and consisted of a mixed olive grey friable clayey sand with lenses of friable yellow sand throughout. Occasional mixed gravel and pebbles were noted, but the deposit was otherwise sterile. C1215 was overlain by C1214, a dark olive grey sandy clay which contained charcoal flecks and very rare (2%) fine mixed gravel. F32 was interpreted as a small pit; no dateable material was recovered during excavation.

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