EDO6593 - St Andrew's church, Okeford Fitzpaine; evaluation

An evaluation comprising the digging by hand of two test pits to assess the impact of proposed underfloor heating and insulation requiring the excavation of the floor of the church to a depth of approximately 0.3m. Test Pit 1 was situated at the western end of the church, measured 1.02m by 0.9m, and was excavated to a depth of 0.45m below the top of the flagstones. Test Pit 2 was to the north of the nave, measured 1.13m by 1.10 and was excavated to 0.45m below the top of the flagstones. Layers interpreted as demolition debris and levelling from restoration works in 1772 and 1865. A possible floor surface of roughly-laid tile was recorded in Test Pit 1 but its date and extent could not be ascertained owing to the limitations of the pit. No in-situ burials were encountered. Some fragments of human bone were recovered during work and reburied on completion.