During machine stripping of the overburden around the edge of Phase 3 possible archaeological features were detected. Two areas were investigated to ascertain the nature of these deposits. Prior to overburden stripping to create a haulage route / drainage dyke along the western edge of the Phase 3 area a trench c. 40m by 10m running approximately northwest-southeast was machine stripped to the base of the alluvium. A small dump comprising fire-cracked pebbles with flecks of wood and burnt clay, c. 1m wide was uncovered within the fill of a palaeochannel plus a pit or ditch c. 2.50m wide and 1.00m deep containing four bones of a swans wing were excavated along the northeast facing section. (1)
See M4291 for associated SMR entries.

<1> TPAT, 1997, Report on the Watching Brief at Besthorpe quarry 1997 (Unpublished document). SNT1881.