Ladybridge Farm: Evaluation Trench (Intervention 37)

Intervention 37 was situated in the southeastern corner of Zone A and measured 50m x 4m. The trench was machine excavated and was orientated east-west. Ground surface within the area of the trench was 39.80m AOD. The yellowish-brown gravel and clayey silt ploughsoil (C1123) was found to be between 0.30 and 0.35m deep. The underlying natural subsoil consisted of an homogenous orangish-brown gravel and clayey silt which included an area of clean grey clayey silt and strong patches of orangish-brown mineralisation (C1124).

Two features were identified within the intervention and allocated F42 and F54. F42 was situated 19.60m from the western end of the intervention and was defined as a sub-oval deposit of dark brown silt measuring 1.05m x 0.50m in plan. The feature was half sectioned approximately NE-SW and the northwestern half of the feature was removed where it proved to be an insubstantial scoop with gently sloping edges and a concave base. The feature was backfilled once with C1238, a dark brown silt with patches of mineral staining and rare gravel and pebbles. F42 was interpreted as a natural depression in the underlying natural system which had filled with ploughsoil; no dateable material was recovered during excavation.

F54 was identified as a modern field drain orientated approximately east-west and draining towards the east.

archaeological planning consultancy > thornborough > investigations > lbf04 intervention 37