University College, Oxford‐ North Site

Between 16th and 20th January 2023, Oxford Archaeology undertook an
archaeological evaluation at the proposed site of a number of new buildings on
the University College, Oxford – North Site (bounded by Woodstock Road,
Banbury Road and Staverton Road, Oxford), OS Ref: SP 5081 0817. The
investigation comprised the excavation of seven trenches, measuring 1.8m wide
and varying lengths of between 4‐10m.
No archaeological features or artefacts were identified during the course of the
evaluation. There was no evidence to indicate there was any significant human
activity on the site prior to use for agricultural purposes in the medieval and
post‐medieval periods.
It is perhaps notable that the usual relatively thin brickearth/loess cover seen
overlying the second terrace gravels of the Oxford promontory was not
apparent; instead, a much thicker deposit of loess/brickearth mixed with siltyclay
and clay deposits was recorded. This suggests that on this central part of
the Oxford promontory there is an undulating surface to the second terrace
gravels and that these subsequent prehistoric deposits have accumulated in a
wider and as‐yet undefined hollow area.