Land North of Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: cotswold2-251473)

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October 2015 at Land north of Arden Forest Industrial Estate, Alcester, Warwickshire. The fieldwork comprised the excavation of fifty-six trenches. Cropmarks of a ditched enclosure, previously interpreted as the remains of a marching camp, are located within the site. Previous trial trench evaluation targeted on the cropmark enclosure and geophysical anomalies contained within it confirmed the presence of a ditched enclosure. Archaeological features encountered comprised ditches, furrows and pits, generally dated to one of three broad periods; Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval/modern. Ditches were identified within the western part of the site during the evaluation and these corresponded to cropmarks identified through aerial photography. The cropmarks appeared to represent a sub-rectangular feature measuring 70m in length and 82m in width. Pottery dating from the Late Iron Age to the Early Roman period onwards was recovered from the fill of these ditches. A number of ditches dating from the Romano-British period, representing elements of what apprears to be a north-east/south-west orientated field/enclosure system, were identified in the north-western part of the site. Further ditches corresponding to a north, north east/south, south-west orientated field system were identified, which although undated artefactually are considered to date to the post-medieval/modern period. In addition medieval plough furrows were identified across the site on an east to west axis. These are interpreted as the remains of the former open field system associated with the settlement of Alcester.