Monument record 1430/0/2 - Probable Bronze Age activity, north-west of Magpie Farm

A series of archaeological investigations have identified a probable Bronze Age settlement site

{1} The results of the trial trenching, corroborated by the geophysical survey results identified two zones of settlement activity represented by large pits, post-holes and ditches located towards the south east corner of the site. The majority of the features investigated yielded pottery which has all been attributed to the Bronze Age (2400 – 700 BC), as well as animal bone synonymous with domestic type features of this date. A number of trenches beyond these settlement zones contained ditches and have been interpreted as representing remnants of a field system surrounding the settlement activity.

The subsequent observation of groundworks identified four ditches and two possible pits. Although no finds were recovered from any of the features it was assumed that they were all associated with the Bronze Age site identified during earlier phases of investigation. The more northern ditches were probably part of the field system that radiated out from the settlement nucleus and which continues beyond the northern boundary of the site. The southernmost ditch probably enclosed and defined the northern extent of an area of settlement activity.

[This area of settlement is probably a continuation of HER 1430/0/1 to the south]

<1> Fadden, A, 2014, Land east of Banbury Lane, Culworth Grounds Farm, Thorpe Mandeville: Geophysical Survey (Report). SNN112120.

<2> Milward, J, 2014, Land east of Banbury Lane, Culworth Grounds Farm, Thorpe Mandeville: Archaeological evaluation (Report). SNN112119.

<3> Milward, J, 2014, Land East of Banbury Lane, Culworth Grounds Farm, Thorpe Mandeville: Archaeological Observation Investigation and Recording (Report). SNN110640.

Record last edited

Apr 5 2024 11:43AM