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A trial trenching evaluation was carried out by AOC Archaeology Group in March 2024 prior to ground works for a proposed graveyard extension and development of car parking facilities. A total of 14 evaluation trenches totalling 1.36 hectares (10 percent of available site) were excavated. There were 11 archaeological features identified: eight pits, one posthole and two ditches. Five of the eleven features were cleaned and planned but not excavated. During trenching, no structures were found and pits, possibly firepits, dominated, and a single linear feature was found. The pits containing charcoal, ash, and fire-cracked stones appear to be the result of the deposition of burnt material rather than in situ burning. One unexcavated feature (402) may be a hearth feature given the presence of a potential stone setting. Most of the finds were from the ‘firepit’ in trench 13 which included a small undiagnostic pottery fragment (undecorated), likely prehistoric, fire-cracked stones, and a possible worked stone. The finds assemblage suggests that the identified features are likely prehistoric, given evidence of nearby prehistoric settlement and activity (NO88NE0038 and NO88NE0051). Intensive agricultural development in the area likely caused the shallow nature of most features, indicating that many other features may have been destroyed. Further excavation by AOC in November – December 2024 targeting four areas uncovered further significant prehistoric remains. Area A 9in the southwest part of the site) contained a four post-hole structure and twelve prehistoric pits containing burnt material, pottery and lithics . Area B contained two large pits of probable prehistoric date, and containing substantial burnt material which may represent industrial activity on the site. Area C, in which one pit was found during the evaluation, contained no further archaeological remains. Area D contained two pits and the remnants of a prehistoric soil containing pottery and flint artefacts.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)