Ladybridge Farm: Excavation (Site Code lbf07 Intervention 03)

Ladybridge Farm Area 3 Site Meeting Notes

Date: 6th November 2009 11.00am

Present: Steve Timms MGA (ST); Gail Falkingham NYCC (GF); Lucie Hawkins NYCC (LH); Andy Hammon EH (AH); Gigi Signorelli MGA (GS); Alan Coe TARMAC (AC)

Introduction

A site meeting was held at Ladybridge Farm to review the excavation of Area 3.

ST issued a plan at the start of the meeting showing the results of the excavation. The plan showed that the vast majority of soil features present on the site were natural in origin. With the exception of two late field boundaries and a sump, the only other archaeological features comprised two small pits. One of these had contained a single sherd of probable Bronze Age pottery while the other had been backfilled with burnt stones. Both pits were located on the higher ground along the southern and western boundary of the site.

The three sink holes were inspected. ST explained that samples of the latest peat deposits within each one had been sent to PRS to recover material suitable for radio carbon dating. The processing should be complete by the 19th November.

Discussion

The group agreed that with the exception of the three sink holes which were pending further investigation, the excavation work in Area 3 had been satisfactorily completed and could be signed off. On that basis Area 3 could be handed over to Tarmac to commence mineral extraction following written confirmation from NYCC.

In addition;

It was agreed that further investigation of the sink holes would be carried out concurrently with the mineral extraction. Where possible the sink holes would remain fenced off within the extraction area until the results of the radiocarbon dating were available to determine whether any further work was necessary. Where the sink holes could not be left in situ for operational reasons, they will be excavated, recorded and sampled prior to their removal.

An interim assessment report will be produced for Area 3. The report will be completed and issued to NYCC prior to the commencement of Area 4.

It is anticipated that topsoil stripping for Area 4 will begin in January or February 2010.

The approved WSI for Area 3 originally included provision for the excavation of Area 4. Due to soil handling restrictions Area 3 has been excavated first. It was agreed at the site meeting that there was no need to alter the current methodology and that the current WSI would still be sufficient and in effect for the excavation of Area 4.

The next site meeting will be held following the stripping of Area 4.

archaeological planning consultancy > thornborough > investigations > lbf07 intervention 03: meeting notes, 2009-11-06