EDO4253 - Fordington Farm Evaluation Trench N

The Duchy of Cornwall commissioned Wessex Archaeology to conduct an archaeological evaluation of land to the south and west of Fordington Farm , prior to the sale of the land for development. The work took place between May and October 1986. The area of a proposed new sports field was subject to geophysical survey, earthwork survey, testpitting and evaluation excavation. The remains of a Bronze Age round barrow of three identified phases was identified together with a number of possible Roman features and medieval field earthworks. Trench N measured 5m x 1m l,ocated in the western side of the field in order to investigate a linear magnetic anomaly. A ditch running SW-NE was revealed, and its course traced beyond the limit of the excavation by means of an auger. Its alignment is similar to those depicted on the 1779 survey of the Manor of Fordington and interpreted as a medieval field boundary.