Proposed Sports Hub Development, University of Warwick off Scarman Road, Cryfield, Warwickshire. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: cotswold2-287809)

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in between May - June 2016 on land at the University of Warwick, Cryfield, Warwickshire. Seventeen trenches were excavated broadly in a randomly arranged distribution since the previously undertaken geophysical survey had not identified any testable anomalies. The subsequent archaeological watching brief did, however, identify evidence of two potential ditches. No further evidence of these was identified during the trial trench evaluation. A similar stratigraphic sequence was identified within all trenches. The natural geological substrate, which consisted of mid-red brown sandy clay to clayey sand matrix, was encountered at an average depth of 0.46m below present ground level (BPGL). With the exception of trench 13 where the natural substrate was directly overlain by topsoil, the substrate was overlain by subsoil 0.1 m thick, which consisted of mid orange brown silty sand. This was in turn sealed by topsoil, which consisted of mid grey-brown to mid red brown silty sand 0.30m thick. Despite the perceived archaeological potential of the site and, historically its prevailing, broadly low impact, land-use only one feature, undated pit 603, was identified during the current works. In addition, no artefacts of note were recovered, the only recordable example a single sherd of 18th - 19th century refined white ware.