The Butts, Warkworth
NU 2485 0580; (Robin Taylor-Wilson); evaluation and augur survey; 29th August-11th September 2000
Three trenches were investigated, which revealed archaeological evidence from the medieval and post-medieval periods, while the auger survey recorded earlier alluvial sediments related to floodplain activity in this low-lying part of Warkworth.
Trench 1 contained what appeared to be a disused historic watercourse, probably cut through earlier alluvium. Drains and consolidation layers from the post-medieval period were recorded, as were structural remains relating to previous buildings on the site.
Trench 2 revealed a substantial cut feature truncating alluvial deposits that were the earliest strata to be exposed. This feature was probably associated with drainage but could have been related to previous industrial activity on the site. Above this, substantial ground-raising dumps and consolidation layers were exposed, cut by modern backyard activity and drainage features associated with the existing buildings on site.
Trench 3 contained interleaving alluvial horizons overlain by an extensive dump of medieval or post-medieval date; notable for its high content of burnt debris. A substantial alluvial deposit formed the upper portion of the sequence in this trench, where no modern activity of note was evident.
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