The Former Showground at Holsworthy, Devon (OASIS ID acarchae2-82830)

An archaeological trench evaluation, on the site of a proposed new residential development at the former Holsworthy Showground site, Holsworthy, Devon was undertaken by AC archaeology. The site occupies an area to the north of the historic core of the town. There are no previously recorded archaeological sites or monuments on the site itself, but it is located in area considered to have potential for prehistoric settlement and funerary remains. The evaluation comprised the machine-excavation of 33 trenches totalling 990m in length. The work identified parts of two former hedgebank boundaries shown on 19th century maps, as well as a number of modern drainage gullies/ditches. No in situ remains pre-dating the late post-medieval period were present. Two small and abraded sherds of 16th/17th century pottery were recovered from one of the former field boundary ditches, but 19th century artefacts were also recovered from this.