Ripon College Cuddesdon

In November 2009 Oxford Archaeology carried out a field evaluation in the grounds of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford. The project was carried out on behalf of Ripon College. The evaluation consisted of four trenches targeted on the impact areas of proposed new buildings. A shallow pit and a ditch were revealed. Both of these features are thought to be associated with the present buildings on the site which date from between 1853 and 1878. A stone built wall foundation is thought to pre-date the current buildings but to relate to post-medieval activity in the area.
Generally the topsoil across the site was shallow, and its interface with the underlying natural deposits indicates that a degree of landscaping has taken place on the site. This was most notable in the north-western area of the proposed development where the deposits were truncated through levelling of the area for a tennis court.