AWHi - Summary Report for Archaeological Recording at Grove Hill Farm, Westbury, Buckinghamshire, AC250 (Site Code: 1C21GHFAR)

The archaeological works were undertaken in accordance with the FCCFs and LSWSI produced for the site, and in accordance with the Technical Standard: Specification for Historic Environment Investigations and relevant CIfA standards (CIfA 2014a; CIfA 2014b). All spatial setting out and recording were undertaken in accordance with the Ordnance Survey National Grid and Ordnance Datum Newlyn (ODN), as defined by the OS Active Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network, and use of a virtual reference system. All interventions were located to a horizontal accuracy of 500mm, with surface heights recorded using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GNSS and related to PGMs. Levelling accuracy was recorded to within 10 mmÖk, where 'k' is the total distance levelled in kilometres. The survey methodology is further detailed in two survey reports: 1EW03-FUS_COP-EV-REP-CS06_CL22-000017 (Oatleys Farm) and 1EW03-FUS_COP-EV-REP-CS06_CL22-000021 (Grove Hill Farm) . All archaeological recording areas were mechanically excavated. The removal of overburden was undertaken using excavators fitted with toothless ditching buckets under the constant supervision of a suitably trained, competent and experienced archaeologist, until the first archaeologically significant horizon was reached, or when the absence of any such horizon was adequately demonstrated. Further use of mechanical excavation was only undertaken with the specific permission of the Contractor. All fieldwork was monitored by the Contractor. Excavated soil was deposited adjacent to the archaeological recording areas using mechanical excavators and dumpers. Topsoil and subsoil/overburden were stripped and stored separately Metal detectors were used by experienced staff to scan for metal finds following the mechanical stripping of the site areas and during the hand excavation of key archaeological features and deposits In accordance with the FCCFs and LSWSI, a sufficient number and proportion of features were hand excavated to meet the aims of the archaeological recording. At least 50% of the number of pits considered as part of the pit alignment were investigated, with each pit generally being subject to a 50% sample by volume and excavated to full depth. A number of pits that formed 1.6.9 Archaeological hand excavation and recording was undertaken to the general requirements as described in the GWSI: HERDS and the Technical Standard: Specification for Historic Environment Investigations. The sampling strategy was guided b