SNN44229 - Archaeological Evaluation of Lane at Onley, Barby Stage 1: Desk-based Assessment and Field Surveys

An archaeological desk-based study and field survey of land at the Young Offenders Institute at Onley, Barby, has not revealed the presence of any previously unknown archaeological sites within the evaluation areas. Well preserved earthworks of a medieval ridge and furrow field system occupy the evaluation area to the north and east of the present prison. These earthworks have been destroyed where the course of a former railway cuts across them, and they have suffered other minor damage from tracks or roads associated with the canal, the railway and the use of the military depot. The only standing remains contemporary with the use of the railway line are a large brick and corrugated iron storage shed/ workshop and a nearby water tower. The deserted medieval village of Onley and further parts of its field system survive as well preserved earthworks to the immediate west of the present prison and the evaluation areas. Buildings of the former military depot stood in the area now used as the prison playing fields. A combination of the former buildings and more recent levelling of the area has removed all evidence of former ridge and furrow earthworks, and observation of the excavation of a series of geotechnical test pits and trenches suggests that below ground remains of any earlier activity will have been severely damaged in this area. The small area to the west of the prison once contained medieval ridge and furrow earthworks and a small pond; both have been levelled by recent ploughing. There is no evidence for the former presence of a windmill mound in this area.