The geophysical survey has recorded potential archaeological remains, predominantly in the south-western part of the site, where a number of linear trends probably indicate buried ditches, with some discrete responses possibly being buried pits. Stronger examples of the latter possibly indicate sites containing burnt materials. (1)

Field boundary ditches matching those on the 1804 map of the site were found within three evaluation trenches. (3)

Within the northern end of one evaluation trench, a 1.8 m long segment of an east–west ditch measuring 1.8 x 0.35 m deep was found, with a later ceramic land drain cut on a similar alignment running through it. This ditch was backfilled with a mix of reddish brown silty clay with angular stone fragments which contained post-medieval ceramics, glass and animal bone. It matched up with both the geophysical linear anomaly and the 1804 east–west field boundary recorded in this location. (3)

This field boundary was also located within the northern end of another evaluation trench, where it remained on a rough east–west alignment as a cut, although it showed signs of beginning to turn northward. The cut measured 2.05 x 0.48 m within the 1.8 m wide trench and contained two fills, a mid greyish brown sterile silty clay and a dark greyish brown silty clay containing animal bone). A second shallow gully was located 1 m to the south of this, measuring 0.55 x 0.19 m and filled with a mid greyish brown silty clay containing small rounded pebbles. Given their similar alignments it is suspected that it was also part of the post-medieval field boundary system. (3)

The remains of a probable east–west ditch, possibly the continuation of two features mentioned above or possibly a different field boundary were found beneath modern redeposited material in the southern end of trench a further evaluation trench. This ditch cut was not fully exposed due to the modern redeposit above it, but measured at least 3.6 m wide and up to 0.54 m deep. It contained CBM material and was filled with a mid greyish-brown silty clay. (3)

The eastern end of another evaluation trench contained a north–south aligned ditch which was 2.8 m wide by 0.6 m deep and contained a dark greyish brown clayish silt fill
which contained CBM and a very small sherd of medieval pottery. This fill was similar to the topsoil, suggesting that the feature had not been infilled until relatively recently. It is likely to have been one of the north–south returns to the east–west field boundary ditch shown on the 1804 map of the site. (3)

Whilst one potential ditch appears to respect the current, though long-established, north-western boundary of former farmstead Old Hall Farm, thus implying an association with the farmstead, no corresponding former boundary is recorded on historic O.S. Maps. It is parallel with a ditch running off from the medieval enclosure. (1) (2)

Despite its close proximity to the potential ditches mentioned above, it is speculated that another potential ditch might have formed part of a separate (and potentially earlier) phase of activity - conceivably associated with remains that lie within 100m to the south of the site (HER Ref. L7613). (1)

The results indicate a possible c.NE-WS aligned ditch abutting the western extent of one of the linear features. (1)

Away from the mitigation area, the trial trench evaluation had also identified further plough furrows as well as post-medieval field boundary ditches and a large post-medieval refuse pit. (2)

The large pit was uncovered in the southern end of an evaluation trench. This pit was not fully exposed within the trench but was probably circular or sub-circular in plan with stepped sides. It measured 4.5 x 1.8 m and was at least 1.2 m deep at its central point, but the base was not fully exposed due to depth concerns. It was filled with a lower deposit of ashy material with post-medieval material within it that was up to 0.3 m deep within the central part of the pit. The majority of the fill of the pit was a mid reddish brown silty clay with frequent angular stone fragments throughout, which was clearly a deliberate backfill, also contained ceramic building material (CBM) and animal bone.
The lower fill had clearly compressed over time, leading to the upper 0.1 m of the pit being filled with topsoil material in places. (3)

<1> David Bunn, 2018, Archaeological geophysical survey: Land to the east of Church Street, Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire, Page 4 (Unpublished document). SNT5573.

<2> Ben Saunders, 2021, Early Medieval Rivet Wheat and Horse Skull Burial, and Medieval Animal Husbandry Enclosure at Cropwell Bishop, Nottingham (Unpublished document). SNT5803.

<3> Ben Saunders, 2021, Land at Church Street, Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Evaluation, Page 6-7 (Unpublished document). SNT6000.