Basingstoke Golf Course, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design

Eight excavation areas were opened within the site enclosing a total of 8,644m2 . These were located to investigate features recorded by the previous geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation: " Area A, (2,271m2): placed to investigate prehistoric and medieval ditches and prehistoric/Romano-British cremation burials (phase 2 evaluation Trenches 26, 28, 29, 30 and 33); " Area B, (1,657m2): placed to investigate prehistoric and medieval ditches (Trenches 12, 14, 15 and 16); " Area C, (1,403m2): placed to investigate undated (probably prehistoric) ditches (Trenches 64, 65 and 73); " Area D (92m2): placed to investigate prehistoric pits (Trench 209); " Area E (2,533m2): placed to investigate prehistoric/medieval ditches and medieval trackway (Trenches 100, 103, 104 and 113); " Area F (445m2): placed to explore medieval pit (Trench 119); " Area G (100m2): placed to explore area of in situ burning in (possibly prehistoric) pit (Trench 145); and " Area H (143m2): placed to investigate pits near to the southern valley ridge, an area which may contain further cremation burials (Trench 165). Aside from Area G all of the areas were smaller than proposed by the WSI, to avoid either trees, buried services or Golf Course landscaping features. Area G was moved slightly but its size was not changed. A programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology between September to November 2021 at the request of RPS Consulting Services Ltd on behalf of Bloor Homes at Basingstoke Golf Club, Winchester Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire. Eight excavation areas were investigated based on the results of the evaluation (Areas A-H; totalling 8.644ha). Area D contained only natural features and only one feature was identified in Areas G and H, the former (a pit) was initially identified in the evaluation. In Area A three Early Bronze Age cremation burials all in inverted urns were identified. Two burials were made in Collared Urns and one in a Food Vessel. The latter vessel is of some interest as it is a 'Yorkshire Vase' or Northern British Food Vessel tradition and, therefore, a non-local style. One of the burials had been initially identified in the evaluation but assumed to be of Roman date. The cremated remains of adults and infants were recovered from the urns. Grave goods comprising shale beads, a worked bone point and a copper alloy awl were recovered. Possible longer-distanced connections with Yorkshire and Dorset are evidenced by the northern style Food Vessel and the shale beads. A few charred plant remains were recovered from the cremation burials and included a fragment of possible apple. Wood charcoal from these burials has shed light into the selection and use of fuelwood; differences in assemblage composition between the cremation burials has also been noted. A ditch in Area C may be of prehistoric date although the evidence is limited.