Test Pit 38

Test Pit 38. Rear of 19-21 Low Street

Property description and location

19-21 Low Street, a Grade II listed pair of houses dating to the 17th century (NHLE No. 1181490) lies towards the foot of Church Hill, fronting onto the north-east corner of the village green. The property is clearly shown on the 1st Edition OS and the Tithe map (named in the apportionment as 'House and Garden' and owned by the executors of Richard Cracknell).

Test Pit description

The heavily terraced and landscaped gardens of the property lie on a south-west facing slope. The test pit was placed in a small area c.24m to the rear of the property towards the top of this slope and showed a 0.2m thick modern topsoil (Context 1) overlying two small late 20th century rubbish pits (Contexts 3 and 4). These features cut a deposit of dark grey/brown clay/silt loam, Context 2, which was at least 0.3m thick.

Test Pit finds summary

Pottery of a Victorian and later date was recovered from this pit. In addition a relatively wide range of toys dating to the 20th century were retained, including a red plastic footballer and two glass marbles.

Test Pit Discussion

The heavily landscaped nature of the garden was reflected in the test pit, with a modern topsoil and rubbish pits sealing or cutting a buried soil horizon, which is likely to be the preserved post-medieval topsoil.