Kingsmead Quarry, Horton, Berkshire. Volume 1, 2003 - 2009 Excavations.

Excavations undertaken between 2003 and 2009 in advance of the construction of a processing plant and subsequent phases of gravel extraction at Kingsmead Quarry, Horton, Berkshire, have revealed archaeological evidence from the Late Glacial to the modern periods. This first volume (of two) brings together the results from the investigations by Wessex Archaeology on over 19 hectares of a vast and complex archaeological landscape, which have undoubtedly enhanced the knowledge of the Middle Thames Valley substantially. The excavation of a series of palaeochannels within and to the edges of the archaeological excavations has also provided information and dating to enhance our knowledge of the contemporary environment in the vicinity of the site. The data recovered has enabled a chronological framework for the development and evolution of the palaeochannels. Two rare and extremely well-preserved Early Neolithic timber buildings and two substantial Middle Bronze Age farmsteads with significant metalwork were found during the 20032009 excavations, whilst the evidence retrieved for the Iron Age and Romano-British periods demonstrated the continued development and reorganisation of the landscape. Later periods were also represented. The discoveries at Horton represent a substantial excavation whose results add to the growing wealth of information surrounding the continued and extensive inhabitation of the valley as a whole. Large quantities of structural evidence, augmented by considerable quantities of artefactual and environmental information, show Horton to be a fascinating archaeological site. This volume represents a detailed and extensive account of the findings, Hortonapos;s positioning in the wider archaeological landscape and its relationship with the contemporary sites in the surrounding area. This submission to ADS includes publication Volume 1, detailing the 2003 - 2009 Excavations, and appendices comprising the technical and specialist reports.