A single ditch encountered in a trial trench can only be tentatively dated based on the single sherd of Torksey ware pottery from the upper fill which may or may not be residual. Torksey ware was produced between the 10th– mid 11th century, just prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066AD, and the ditch may date from this period, however it is abraded which would indicate it has moved around since its original deposition, and may be consequential trace evidence of the early settlement at Aslockton, consistent with the place name evidence and the possible Saxon burial identified at Mill Lane in the 19th century. The ditch runs parallel to the removed late 18th century enclosure field boundary that was also encountered in another trial trench, which may indicate these features are contemporary, however this is conjecture based on plan with little other evidence to support it. The magnetic variation seen on the geophysics in this area could not be accounted for, however the landowner remembers hedgerow boundaries being removed from this area with the tree roots being burnt in situ rather than excavated out which may account for the anomalies. Alternatively, this ditch may be the base of a furrow or gully associated with the furrows, which geophysics indicates lie on this alignment in this area. The repetitive action of ploughing may account for the presence of the abraded pottery sherd in the upper fill of the ditch.

Another substantial ditch in an additional trial trench is interesting. Neither of the geophysical surveys identified this feature despite its size. No dateable artefacts were recovered from it, but in section there was a clear difference between the upper fill of the ditch and the overlying subsoil / historic plough soil which filled the furrows, which would suggest the ditch pre-dates the medieval / early post-medieval ridge and furrow.

A. Lane, 2016, Land North of Cliffhill Lane, Aslockton, Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report (Unpublished document). SNT5744.