The three large pits had similarities in their size and irregular cut shapes. Furthermore these pits were the only features of their kind in both zones, and yet they were all grouped together in one part of the surveyed are. The pits had probably all been cut for the same reason. All three large pits had fills that were not lying horizontally, this suggested that backfilling was not accumulative, but occured over a relatively short length of time. In the survey area, the underlying undisturbed geology was very clean red sand. A walkover survey (2003)(SNT2571) described in the desktop assessment identified sand extraction evidence at the extreme north of the proposed school site. The location and size of the large pits in the area of very clean natural sand, suggested that these pits had been cut for the purpose of sand extraction. Moreover the pits were close to the former Babworth road. Therefore these pits probably represent some small scale road side industry, either for construction or maintenance of Babworth Road. Alternatively, the road may have been used to transport material away. (1) (2)

A key aim of archaeological work in this area was to identify any remains of the former Babworth Road. The current road alignment may have been introduced during the construction of Babworth Park c 1841. One wide shallow linear feature was the only possible remains of the former road. A clear cut was visible only on the south side of the feature, the fill faded out to the north. The hard compaction of the fill hinted that this deposit had been used as make up material for the former road. Moreover the south edge of this feature is aligned approximately northwest to southeast, which points towards the current Babworth Road. This evidence was not conclusive, and perhaps the absence of more substantial deposits represents poor preservation conditions in a field that had been ploughed over a long period. (1)

The two identified intercut pits are likely to have been of a similar date, as one was still open when the other was cut. A single sherd within one fill gave the two pits a general nineteenth century date. No firm usage of these pits could be ascertained, although perhaps this feature was the result of small scale sand extraction. Nearby another pit only yielded finds from its recut fill. The pottery suggested a nineteenth century date, however the clay pipes that were found were more specific, c1780-1830. The recut may have been a post setting. If this was the case then it could have been associated with the larger intercutting pits. (1)

One feature was irregular in plan and cut, a single clay pipe dated the fill to c1800-c1820. A posthole (within the feature) may indicate that this feature had been part of a fence or boundary, however a farming feature or an association with sand extraction are equally possible interpretations. (1)

Three discreet features were possibly truncated postholes or small pits. In the absence of dating evidence the most interesting aspect of to these features was their proximity to the possible former Babworth road. (1)

Towards the north of site, several possible postholes or small pits were recorded. Two were quite convincing postholes and lay a few metres apart. Another two were also a few metres apart, although one was a less convincing (possibly truncated) posthole. These features may have represented field gate posts or fences. (1)

A trapezoid pit contained no cultural material so little interpretation of this feature can be offered. A stake hole cut into the side of this feature, it was possibly part of a fence or boundary, as it was approximately aligned north-south, with possible boundary two features. (1)

<1> Duncan Alexander, 2006, Final Report on Archaeological Excavations at the New Babworth Secondary School, Babworth Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire (Unpublished document). SNT5928.

<2> TSAC, Feb 2003, Babworth Road Secondary School Site, Retford, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Desktop Assessment (Unpublished document). SNT2571.