Assessing 3D metric data of digital surface models for extracting archaeological data from archive stereo-aerial photographs.

Archaeological remains are under increasing threat of attrition from natural processes and the continued mechanisation of anthropogenic activities. This research analyses the ability of digital photogrammetry software to reconstruct extant, damaged, and destroyed archaeological earthworks from archive stereo-aerial photographs. Case studies of Flower's Barrow and Eggardon hillforts, both situated in Dorset, UK, are examined using a range of imagery dating from the 1940s to 2010. Specialist photogrammetric software SocetGXP® is used to extract digital surface models, and the results compared with airborne and terrestrial laser scanning data to assess their accuracy. Global summary statistics and spatial autocorrelation techniques are used to examine error scales and distributions. Extracted earthwork profiles are compared to both current and historical surveys of each study site. The results demonstrate that metric information relating to earthwork form can be successfully obtained from archival photography. In some instances, these data out-perform airborne laser scanning in the provision of digital surface models with minimal error. The role of archival photography in regaining metric data from upstanding archaeology and the consequent place for this approach to impact heritage management strategies is demonstrated

The Archaeology of East Kent Access Road (Phase 2)

Oxford Wessex Archaeology (OWA) Joint Venture undertook archaeological investigations in advance of construction of the East Kent Access Road (Phase II), largely between November 2009 and September 2010. The initial two-month period was mostly taken up with preliminary surveys comprising field-walking, test pitting and metal detecting and limited evaluation trenching. Several small-scale excavations were carried out following the main phase of investigations and all fieldwork was completed by the end of May 2011. The main excavations saw almost the entire foot-print of the new road excavated, an area of some 48 hectares, providing a unique archaeological transect across part of Thanet

Sandway Road, Lenham, Kent - Integrated Site Report

As part of the scheme of archaeological mitigation undertaken prior to construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), Rail Link Engineering (RLE), acting on behalf Union Railways (South) Limited (subsequently London and Continental Railways), commissioned Wessex Archaeology and Oxford Archaeology (formerly the Oxford Archaeological Unit) to carry-out a programme of fieldwork on land adjacent to Sandway Road, between the villages of Sandway and Harrietsham, Kent (OS NGR TQ 87975 51642). The works included an evaluation, a 'strip-map-sample' excavation and a watching brief

Land off King Edward Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Trial Trenching Evaluation (OASIS ID: oxfordar2-321455)

Oxford Archaeology (OA) North were commissioned by Orion Heritage Ltd to initially undertake a trial trenching evaluation of Land off King Edward Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire (NGR SK 1797 4647). The evaluation confirmed the presence of structural remains relating to the mill, with floor surfaces and walls being identified. As structural remains were identified during the evaluation, a mitigation strategy was put in place and involved the exposure and recording of the remains of the saw mill, to mitigate its loss or damage during subsequent development of the Proposed Development Area (PDA). Further aims of the excavation were to identify a power source for the mill, as none was recorded on any of the historic maps, as well as identify if any earlier structures survived. The excavation revealed that the mill structures were fairly well preserved throughout the eastern half of the PDA and the structures also correlated well with the historic mapping, which allowed a better understanding of the phasing of the saw mill, suggesting that the mill had been heavily modified prior to the Ordnance Survey map of 1922. A potential power source was also identified as being steam, this interpretation was suggested due to the presence of a possible boiler base, machine base, and several service conduits for cast-iron pipes. The identification of the power source of the mill is a significant discovery in the context of the mill, as it was not previously known

Carswell Golf Course, Buckland, Oxfordshire. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: oxfordar1-312687)

On 23rd October 2017 Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an evaluation on behalf of Carswell Golf Course on the site of a proposed motorcycle assembly shop and showroom. The site lies within the hamlet of Carswell, approximately 1.7km south-west of Buckland village (NGR: SU 32822 97302). The site is bounded to the north by the A420 which links Oxford and Swindon, and to the east, south and west by agricultural land. The works comprised the excavation of three 30m trenches targeted on the footprint of the proposed development. No archaeological features or artefacts were present

Archaeological Evaluation at Land off Northcourt Lane, Abingdon-on-Thames (OASIS ID: oxfordar1-362486)

Evaluation was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology of a c. 0.35ha site located to the north of Northcourt Lane, Abingdon-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. Two 25 x 1.8m trenches were excavated. Two ditches dating to the medieval period (AD 900-1250) were identified

Lime Road, Botley, Oxfordshire. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: oxfordar1-314268)

In March 2013, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out a field evaluation at Lime Road, Botley, Oxford on behalf of Bovis Homes (SW) Ltd. The evaluation comprised the machine excavation of 16 trenches measuring 30m by 1.8m. Of the 16 trenches, 13 contained no archaeological features or deposits. An undated ditch was identified along the eastern edge of the site in Trench 6 and a pit containing burnt flint was found in Trench 13 in the southern corner. A buried soil horizon containing medieval pottery and animal bone was also recorded in the southern corner, in Trench 9. The results of the evaluation indicate that a very low level of archaeological activity exists at the site

Boxley Road (East of), ARC EBR 99

The Oxford Archaeological Unit was commissioned by Union Railways (South) Ltd to conduct a field evaluation of land situated to the east of Boxley Road, Boxley, Kent (NGR TQ 7740 5820). The work was conducted between16th and 26th March 1999. Twenty evaluation trenches were excavated in an area of c. 13 hectares. The only archaeological features discovered comprised a small number of shallow ditches mostly concentrated toward the west end of the site and a linear-irregular feature of uncertain function. The only finds recovered consisted of small fragments of post-medieval tile, burnt flint and four sherds of redeposited later prehistoric pottery. A large majority, if not all, of the ditches appeared to be post-medieval in date, and their sterile fills suggested that they were most probably associated with drainage and field boundaries

Images from a Historic Building Recording at Drymeadow WW2 Camp, Former RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire 2021

This collection comprises photographs and site records from a historic building recording of a former Second World War military camp near Drymeadow Farm in Innsworth, Gloucestershire. The recording was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology in June 2021 prior to the removal of the buildings as part of the major Taylor Wimpey Whittle Gardens redevelopment

Talbot House, Sellindge, Kent, Building Survey

Oxford Archaeology (OA) was commissioned by Balfour Beatty Major Projects Ltd (BBMP) to undertake a programme of archaeological recording in advance of, and during the dismantling of the Grade II Listed Talbot House, Sellindge, Kent (NGR: 610736 137700,) for re-erection at Swan Lane, Sellindge (NGR: 611446 18950). The house has been dismantled in advance of the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) in whose path it lies. Although the history and development of the house was known in outline from previous studies, the current study has allowed for a significant amount of detail to be added to this general understanding and as such can be seen to have been a worthwhile exercise. A number of features not previously identified or not fully understood from pre-dismantling inspections have been exposed during the dismantling process. The evolution of the house, from its origins in the mid- 15th century to the present day, has been broken down into a series of six principal phases