Post-medieval field boundaries, land between Chandlers and Creeksea Lane (EHER 81301)

Trial trenching in 2018 confirmed the presence of post-medieval field boundaries in the Northern extent of the study area, in Zone A. These features mostly comprise linear ditches and boundary systems which were present on the 1st edition OS and Tithe maps. Examination of the geophysical survey results from this Zone shows good correlation with the features revealed in the archaeological trial trenching as well as the cartographic evidence.

February 2017. Geophysical survey. Geophysical survey detected several former field boundaries and a number of linear anomalies which are likely to reflect a system of drains or drainage ditches. <1> Apil-May 2018. Trial trenching. The results of the evaluation can be broadly separated into three zones, and post-medieval remains were recorded in Zone A, in Trenches 1-33. Most features in Zone A consisted of linear ditch/boundary systems that were identified as being present on the 1st edition OS and Tithe maps and therefore probably date to the post-medieval and modern periods. There was no evidence that any of these ditches had their origins in the medieval or earlier periods. Examination of the geophysical survey results from this Zone shows good correlation with the features revealed in the archaeological trial trenching as well as the cartographic evidence. A number of other features such as pits and ditches can also be phased to the post-medieval and modern periods. These include a large natural hollow feature in Trench 10 which contained modern finds within its back fill such as aluminium foil. This was probably the result of gentle colluvial run-off that had settled at the base of a natural depression in the landscape. <2>