AWHh - Summary Report for Trial Trench Evaluation at Newton Purcell and Manthorn Farm, Chetwode, Buckinghamshire, Site Code: 1C19NPMTT

The Trial Trench Evaluation comprised 45 machine-excavated trenches in land parcel C25073, 29 of which, contained 207 features of archaeological potential. Most of the features were concentrated in the central eastern and south-eastern parts of the land parcel. The archaeological features revealed, primarily ditches and small to medium pits, represented evidence for agricultural activities with enclosures and peripheral features. A possible stone structure in Trench 39 and a possible sunken feature building (SFB)/industrial feature in Trench 40 indicate the potential for domestic occupation within the Site, whilst an inhumation burial in Trench 34 suggests the possibility of a cemetery in the south-central area of the site. Six main phases of activity were identified: Middle to Late Iron Age activity was concentrated in the north-western part of the Site; evidence of intensive Late Iron Age/Early Roman occupation was found at the central eastern part of the Site; Roman activity continued in the same area through the first two centuries AD; there was a contraction in the later 2nd century resulting in reduced activity during the later Roman period; evidence for Late Saxon/Early medieval activity was found in the south-eastern part of the Site; and scant evidence for medieval low intensity occupation was found in the northern and central parts of the Site, though the possible stone structure in Trench 39 may be dated to this period. There were 17 furrows of medieval or post-medieval date and a negligible amount of post-medieval material was recovered at the north and south-east of the Site.