Ladybridge Farm: Fieldwalking Method Statement (lbf0702)

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Introduction

On the 16th of January 2007 planning permission was granted for the extraction of gravel at Ladybridge Farm , Moor Lane, Nosterfield, North Yorkshire. As a condition of the permission a programme of archaeological works will be implemented in mitigation of the development. The scope of these works is outlined in the mitigation strategy submitted with the planning application (Timms 2006). The initial phase of fieldwork requires that the site be subject to a programme of total coverage fieldwalking. This document serves as a method statement for this work.

The Site

Ladybridge Farm (NGR: SE 293 806) is located to the east of Nosterfield Quarry approximately 1km to the north of Thornborough Village. The site comprises a series of fairly flat arable fields bounded to the westMarch 23, 2007 dyke (Ings Goit). The eastern edge of the site is bounded by a ditch and track. The whole site (45.7ha) was subject to a planning application which was refused in February 2006. A revised application area covering the northern two thirds of the Ladybridge site (30.9ha) has been submitted and approved. (Figure 1). The requirement for fieldwalking covers both the revised application area and the area of archaeological potential which was omitted in the revised application.

Archaeological Background

The site has been subject to extensive archaeological evaluation and investigation. In 2003 an archaeological evaluation comprising fieldwalking, geophysical survey, test pitting and machine trenching was undertaken by Field Archaeology Specialists. In October 2005 a second phase of archaeological trenching was undertaken by On Site Archaeology in response to concerns raised by English Heritage and North Yorkshire County Council. The results of this work identified a thin scatter of early prehistoric features located on marginally higher ground in the southwest corner of Ladybridge Farm. The resulting topographical model indicated that the area to the northeast would have been wet and boggy and unsuitable for occupation, settlement and burial until the land was drained in the post medieval period.

Previous Fieldwalking

To date two separate phases of fieldwalking have taken place on the site;

Phase 1

In 1996 and 2003 the University of Newcastle undertook a programme of reconnaissance fieldwalking (Harding 2004). The fieldwalking was undertaken in three separate fields which make up the Ladybridge site (Field 21 (2.5ha), Field 24 (6.7ha) and Field 50 (35.2ha)) covering a total of 44.4ha. In each field the fieldwalking was undertaken in a series of 15m transects which provided a coverage of 13.3% of the area. Only 24.2ha of Field 50 was fieldwalked which resulting in a total of 33.4ha of the potential 44.4ha being investigated.

Material was recovered in stints and located using a total station theodolite. In total 78 pieces of flint were recovered of which 71 were worked. The worked lithics covered a broad date range and were generally located across the southern third of the Ladybridge site.

Phase 2

In 2003/4 a second phase of fieldwalking was undertaken by Field Archaeology Specialists as part of the archaeological evaluation of Ladybridge Farm. A total coverage technique was implemented and 100% of the site was fieldwalked (44.4ha). All visible finds were recovered, located using a total station theodolite and recorded.

A total of 1,460 finds were recovered during the fieldwalking programme. The majority of the finds were ceramic (625) or ceramic building material (545), with a further 290 finds, of which 215 were lithics, 73 were modern glass and the remaining 16 modern metalwork. Of the lithics recovered, 13 were natural pebbles and 202 were worked. The worked lithics showed a general distribution across the southwestern third of the site area and again covered a broad date range.

A direct correlation between the flint scatters and sub surface features was not recorded in either the test pitting or subsequent evaluation. The fieldwalking had identified a general area of activity spread out across the southern portion of the site. Recent experiments undertaken by Mike Griffiths and Associates Ltd (Dickson et al 2005) at Ladybridge Farm have indicated that buried material can be moved up to 7m from its point of origin in a single ploughing episode. This illustrates the impact that modern farming processes have had on the integrity of any scatters on the site.

Aims and Objectives

As part of the archaeological mitigation it is proposed that the entire Ladybridge Site is subject to a second a phase of total coverage fieldwalking. The purpose of the exercise is to provide a comparative data set to compliment previous work and recover additional information from the area which will be subject to further archaeological investigation in the area of extraction. It is anticipated that the resulting information will help to refine the characterisation of the area. The results of the fieldwalking will be reported on completion of the exercise and incorporated into a final report for the site.

Methodology

A structured program of intensive fieldwalking will be undertaken over all recently ploughed fields within the area of investigation.

Phasing

Due to the phasing of the extraction and the agricultural regime it is proposed that the fieldwalking will be undertaken in three separate phases. These are shown in Figure 1 and summarised below.

  • Phase 1 - comprises the southern third of the site. The majority of this area lies outside the extent of the revised application. Currently under stubble turnips for animal feed. Will be ploughed in late February in preparation of a cereal crop.
  • Phase 2 - comprises the central strip across Ladybridge Farm and consists of two fields. The northern field currently contains stubble turnips as a feed crop. The southern field is sown with wheat. Following granting of permission there is no intention to plough this field for agricultural purposes.
  • Phase 3 - comprises northern half of Ladybridge Farm and consist of two fields. The northern field is sown with Barley. The southern field is sown with wheat. Phase 3 will be ploughed in August - September following harvest.

Unless otherwise stated Phases 1 and 3 will be undertaken in line with the farmer's normal agricultural regime. Due to the nature of the development, the Phase 2 fields will have to be ploughed specifically for the fieldwalking to take place. The ploughing will be undertaken at an appropriate time by a suitably qualified agricultural contractor to a minimum depth to be agreed with the client.

Collection and Recording

When available, each investigation area will be divided into a series of transects using ranging poles and guidelines. These transects will be fieldwalked by a team of professional archaeologists, each two metres apart and covering a two metre wide strip.

All visible pre 20th century archaeological artefacts will be recovered. Each artefact will be bagged and flagged at the location it was identified. All artefacts will be allocated a unique finds number and located using a Total Station Theodolite. The location of each recorded artefact will be recorded using OS National Grid coordinates.

Following fieldwalking, all recovered artefacts will be processed, identified and subject to specialist assessment where appropriate.

The fieldwalking data will be entered into an Access database, along with the OS easting, northing and height of their location. Distribution maps of the artefacts by date and category will then be produced and plotted using either GIS or CAD software.

The location points of each artefact will be added to the existing survey data for the site in order to refine the topographic model.

Reporting

The results of the fieldwalking will be the subject of a interim report following completion of the finds assessments. Copies of this report will be submitted to the Heritage Unit and North Yorkshire County Council and posted on the Mike Griffiths and Associates Website. The data and plots will be made available to download following production of the report. The fieldwalking results and specialist assessments will be incorporated into the final report and publication for the site.

Timetable

figure 1All fieldwalking will be provisional on access to the fields. It is anticipated that Phase 1 will be undertaken between February and March 2007, Phase 2 between February and March 2007 and Phase 4 between August and October 2007. The Heritage Unit at North Yorkshire County Council will be notified no less than one week in advance of the start date of the work.

The fieldwork will be undertaken by experienced professional archaeologists and managed by Mike Griffiths and Associates Ltd.

All work will be undertaken with due regard to health and safety.

 

References

Dickson, A., Hopkinson, G. & Timms, S. 2005. The Effects of Agricultural Practices on Archaeological Remains.

Garner-Lahire, J, Spall, C & Toop, N. 2005. Archaeological Evaluation. Ladybridge Farm, Nosterfield, North Yorkshire. (FAS)

Harding, J. and Johnson, B. 2004. Fieldwalking at the Thornborough monument complex, North Yorkshire (unpublished report, University of Newcastle, February 2004)

Timms, S. 2006. Ladybridge Farm, Nosterfield. Revised Planning Application, Supporting Archaeological Information. (MG&A)


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