Ladybridge Farm: Evaluation Trench (Intervention 30)

Intervention 30 was positioned 8.4m to the north of Intervention 29, close to the northern boundary of Zone B. The trench was designed to contact several geophysical anomalies detected by both magnetometry and soil resistance survey (Intervention 4, F1 and part of F2, Intervention 5, F40 and F42). This machine-excavated trench measured 50m x 8m and was orientated east-west. Ground surface was level at c.41.10m AOD. The dark gravel and clayey silt ploughsoil (C1123) was found to be c.0.35m deep. The underlying natural subsoil consisted of an homogenous orangish-brown gravel and clayey silt subsoil with areas of fine grey silty clay towards the eastern end of the trench (C1124).

A single feature was identified within Intervention 30 and allocated F31, which appeared as a sub-oval deposit of pale olive sand. The deposit measured 1.20m in length by 0.67m in width and was half-sectioned NW-SE and the eastern half of the feature removed. Upon excavation, F31 proved to be a steep-sided cut with a concave base. The feature had been backfilled twice with C1212 and C1213. The earliest backfill, C1213, consisted of a dark grey sandy clay with occasional pebbles inclusions and rare charcoal flecks. The deposit measured 0.21m and was overlain by C1212, a light olive brown sandy clay which also contained occasional pebble inclusions and rare charcoal flecks. F31 was interpreted as a small pit; no dateable material was recovered during excavation. The feature was found to correspond with part of F43, a circular low resistance anomaly (Intervention 5).

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