Beggarwood Park Community Facility and Car Park, Basingstoke

Oxford Archaeology was commissioned by Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council to
undertake an archaeological excavation of the site of a proposed Community Facility and
Car Park north of the Beggarwood housing estate, Basingstoke, Hampshire, SU 60036
48252. Guidance for the work required has been provided by David Hopkins, County
Archaeologist for Hampshire County Council.
Limited excavations uncovered a small number of features, primarily of Roman date. Episodic
earlier prehistoric activity is suggested by the presence of redeposited flint. A single Iron Age
pit was excavated, alongside four Roman pits, three of which were intercutting, a Roman ditch,
three undated postholes, and a further uncertain feature. Early Roman redeposited material
was discovered, although the meagre ceramic evidence suggests Roman activity might have
focused in the third century. No certain fourth century material was uncovered, although
broad date ranges remain for much the Roman pottery. The small size of the ceramic
assemblage precludes further analysis. The remains of a Roman neonatal inhumation were
recovered, probably dating to the third century or before. Activity at the site might relate to a
possible nearby Roman cemetery, although equally the periphery of a settlement might have
been exposed.