Former Bartlemas Nursery School Oxford

In June, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an archaeological evaluation at the
former Bartlemas Nursey School, off Cowley Raod, Oxford (SP 524 055). The work
was commissioned by Marcus Beale Architects Ltd (MBA) on behalf of Oriel
College, and was intended to inform a planning application for the proposed
redevelopment of the site. The evaluation revealed natural geology comprising
Upper Oxford Clay, which was overlain by a colluvial soil which may represent a
buried ploughsoil.
Two north-south aligned linear features produced post-medieval artefactual
evidence, and are likely to represent a precursor to the system of ceramic field
drains on the same alignment, which was also evident in a number of the trenches.
Evidence for 20th century landscaping of the natural topography of the site,
associated with the construction of the existing school buildings in the 1950s, was
also observed.
The evidence recovered probably reflects the agricultural use of the site prior to the
construction of the school, possibly on marginal land on the periphery of Cowley
Marsh, as indicated on a number of cartographic sources.
No evidence for features or deposits pre-dating the 18th century was revealed within
the trenches.
2010
ln February 2010, Oxford Archaeology (OA) returned to the site, with the aim to extend Trench 1 over the present day draining ditch, bounding the Eastern extent of the site,
and to retrieve if possible, any datable material.
The western extent of a ditch, and re-cut was found, and both contained 20th century material.