Land West of Shottery, Stratfordupon- Avon, Warwickshire, Phase 2 Archaeological Evaluation Report

Between 2nd and 6th July 2018 Oxford Archaeology carried out an evaluation
at land West of Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. This is the
second and final phase of evaluation trenching in relation to the Land West of
Shottery development. The trenching covers the previously unavailable access
road route to the west of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Two previous phases of
open area excavation have also been completed to investigate features
discovered in the Phase 1 trenches.
A total of 26 trenches were excavated, following a geophysical survey.
Extensive ridge and furrow (the result of long-term medieval/post-medieval
open field agriculture) was apparent on the geophysical survey throughout the
evaluation area, but does not survive as earthworks. Traces of plough furrows
were visible in most of the trenches. One furrow produced ceramic building
material dated to the 15th-18th centuries. The only other archaeological
features uncovered by the evaluation were a pit and a posthole, both undated.
The scarcity of features and artefacts suggests that the site is unlikely to have
been used significantly for domestic or funerary purposes at any period in its
history.