Monument record TAT 035 - Prehistoric, Medieval and Post medival ditches and pits at Valley Farm, Tattingstone

A number of features are visible as cropmarks visible on aerial photographs of the site. A previous geophysical survey, however, recorded only a limited number of features which corresponded closely to the cropmarks, including a possible round barrow. The metal detecting survey recorded a general spread of artefacts throughout the survey areas. Where dateable, the vast majority of the artefacts were post-medieval in date. No meaningful clustering by artefact date or material was observed. The evaluation identified a series of ditches and pits at the site. Where dateable, these were mainly prehistoric and post-medieval in date. A ditch which may relate to the possible round barrow recorded previously as a cropmark contained 78 sherds of Beaker pottery; a sandy clay layer may represent disturbed mound material associated with the putative barrow. The evaluation results did not generally display a strong correspondence to the cropmarks. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear. It is possible that variations in the site's geology, which comprises sands and gravels with bands and patches of silt, is causing some of the cropmarks. It is also possible that some of the archaeological features represented by the cropmarks have since been removed by intensified agricultural practices in the later 20th century (S1).