Former Bartlemas Nursery School, Oxford

In June, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out an archaeological evaluation at the former Bartlemas Nursey School, off Cowley Raod, Oxford (SP 524 055). The work was commissioned by Marcus Beale Architects Ltd (MBA) on behalf of Oriel College, and was intended to inform a planning application for the proposed redevelopment of the site. The evaluation revealed natural geology comprising Upper Oxford Clay, which was overlain by a colluvial soil which may represent a buried ploughsoil.
Two north-south aligned linear features produced post-medieval artefactual evidence, and are likely to represent a precursor to the system of ceramic field drains on the same alignment, which was also evident in a number of the trenches.
Evidence for 20th century landscaping of the natural topography of the site, associated with the construction of the existing school buildings in the 1950s, was also observed.
The evidence recovered probably reflects the agricultural use of the site prior to the construction of the school, possibly on marginal land on the periphery of Cowley Marsh, as indicated on a number of cartographic sources.
No evidence for features or deposits pre-dating the 18th century was revealed within the trenches.