Oakfield Lane, The Grove, Consett
NZ 0935 5035; (Catrin Jenkins); evaluation; November 12th-December 7th 2001; CON01
Eleven trenches were investigated, which revealed evidence of geological activity, limited agricultural activity of medieval or post-medieval date and recent attempts to improve drainage. With the exception of a single sherd of medieval pottery recovered from the topsoil, there was no conclusive evidence of anthropogenic activity at the site prior to the post-medieval period.
The natural sub stratum, boulder clay 'drift' deposits, was encountered in all of the excavated trenches during the field evaluation. The level at which the natural sub-stratum was encountered varied between 200.69m AOD in the east and 197.17m AOD in the west, this reflecting the sloping terrain upon which the site was located.
The natural clay was truncated by several features, probably of geological origin.
A sub-soil horizon was encountered in all but one of the trenches investigated during the evaluation. (Trench 9 contained only topsoil directly overlying the natural sub-stratum).
Signs of post-medieval utilisation of the site were observed in four of the trenches (6-8 and 10). All the features recorded were field drains and hence relate to post-medieval or modern drainage activity at the site.
A topsoil horizon was encountered in all of the excavated trenches during the field evaluation and this produced a single sherd of medieval pottery. This was the only artefactual material to be recovered during the fieldwork
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