RAF Cardington, Bedfordshire: Phase II Archaeological Evaluation Report, Issue No: 2, OA Job No: 3912, Planning Ref No: 02/1920

January 2008 Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out a second phase of intrusive archaeological evaluation at RAF Cardington (NGR: TL 0790 4720), commissioned by CgMs Consulting on behalf of Bellway Homes. RAF Cardington is situated to the south of Bedford overlooking the valley
of the River Great Ouse. The proposed development site covers an area of approximately 46.75 hectares.
Evaluation trenching was targeted to examine those areas of the site that had not been evaluated, but would be impacted by the first phase of building development. On this basis, three areas were identified for
examination. Further trenches were excavated in Area C, and areas E and H were evaluated.
The phase II evaluation proposal for 29 trenches was revised on site to 26.
A total of 7 trenches were excavated within Area C. No archaeologicalfeatures were observed in Area C and the whole area was criss-crossed by service trenches, paths/service roads and the remains of demolished
buildings. A total of 15 trenches were excavated within Area E. These revealed high levels of modern disturbance. Archaeology was observed in three trenches, 62, 63 and 68. The features, all of which were truncated, included pits and ditches of late Iron-Age to medieval date.
A total of 4 trenches were excavated within Area H. A single truncated, undated ditch/gully was observed in trench 52. Other trenches revealed truncation caused by the construction and demolition of a former sewage
works.
The evaluation has demonstrated that a low level archaeological activity survives within these areas of the development site. The overall emphasis of recorded features suggests they are linear in character, and the general
lack of any associated artefactual material would suggest that they represent evidence of more peripheral activity, possibly the surviving remnants of field systems of uncertain age. These may be associated with
sites of settlement, or cropmark and artefactual evidence, which is known/conjectured to exist immediately outside the development area, to the north, east and south west.
The recorded archaeological remains in general are poorly preserved, having been subjected to both truncation through agricultural practices and modern disturbance