Land Off Penrhos Road, Bangor, Gwynedd

Redrow Homes commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake an
archaeological investigation to inform a planning application for residential
development occupying nearly 14ha of agricultural land off Penrhos Road, Bangor,
Gwynedd (NGR centred SH 55488 69830). The site is known to have high potential
for the presence of buried archaeological remains, with prehistoric barrows known in
the vicinity, one of which is on the site and is a scheduled monument (Cn 376; PRN
22), together with querns, a probable burnt mound, and two intercutting ditches
discovered in the area.
The investigation was carried out in a phased manner, with each stage informing the
next, and in consultation with Gwynedd Archaeological Planning Service (GAPS), in
accordance with their brief. The first stage was undertaken during July and August
2012, and included a desk-based assessment and geophysical survey to establish the
archaeological resource and its significance across the site, together with a watching
brief maintained during a Phase 1 geotechnical site investigation (SI) of 50 test pits.
This initial stage of work revealed 43 known heritage assets within the study area,
including a group of possible barrows identified from aerial photographic survey. The
geophysical survey revealed a complexity of anomalies, including clusters of circular
features, and at least two distinct field systems. During the watching brief, a pit
containing burnt stone and charcoal was discovered, and material from the features
was retained and submitted for radiocarbon assay. The presence of two barrows and a
burnt mound, plus place-name and documentary evidence, were also indicators of the
likely presence of previously unidentified sub-surface remains of archaeological
interest within the proposed development area.