Site Event/Activity record ESF25639 - Archaeological Evaluation and Geotechnical Investigation

Archaeological trial trench evaluation, with 10 trenches, and geoarchaeological investigation. Evaluation only covered aroun 2% of the site and significant areas to the south and west were not evaluated due to environmental constraints (pine plantation and large depressions possible quarry pitting) The geoarchaeological investigation involved the mechanical excavation of 10 sondages located within shallow <1m archaeological evaluation trences. The investigation showed that the surface of the bedrock Chalk appears to form two erosional benches separated by a relatively steep bluff. The upper chalk bench was recorded beneath the summit of the hill. The lower chalk bench was recorded beneath the western flank of the hill. The western flank of the hill appears therefore to conceal a steep bedrock bluff about 3.0m in height. In the deposits overlying the Chalk, three sediment types can be recognised: Gravely sand, flint gravel and chalk gravel. The following sequence is postulated: 1. Fluvial erosion forming a higher bench. 2. Fluvial deposition mainly of gravelly sand on the higher bench. 3. Fluvial downcutting and lateral erosion forming a lower bench. 4. Deposition of flint gravel on the lower bench 5. Colluvial deposition of gravelly sand from the higher bench burying the flint gravel on the lower bench. 6. Fluvial reworking of deposits on the lower bench and introduction of chalky gravel (S1).