Butlers Court Downington Lechlade Gloucestershire

Between 22nd and 26th May 2006 Oxford Archaeology carried out a field
evaluation at Butler’s Court, Downington, Lechlade, Gloucestershire
(NGR SP 2070 0000) on behalf of Savills, representing New College,
Oxford. The evaluation comprised nine trenches measuring 30 m x 2 m,
one measuring 20 m x 2 m and one measuring 15 m x 2 m, excavated on
the site of a farm and adjacent field.
Four ditches interpreted as the boundaries of fields or agricultural
enclosures were recorded in the field to the north of the existing farm
buildings. They were dated to the Roman period on the basis of a sherd of
pottery. A single posthole, a plough furrow and a tree throw hole were
also recorded. The unusual depth of the subsoil and topsoil in this area
was interpreted as being the result of the levelling of former ridge and
furrow.
No archaeological remains were present in the four trenches excavated
within the farm itself, where evidence was found for extensive truncation
associated with the construction of the existing farm buildings