| Catalogue Finding Number | WYHER/7444 |
| Office record is held at | Historical Environment Record, West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service |
| Held Outside WYAS | THE RECORD DESCRIBED IS HELD AND ADMINISTERED BY THE WEST YORKSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD PLEASE CONTACT THEM ON 0113 535 0157 IF YOU WISH TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW THIS RECORD |
| Title | Trial Trenching, north of Alwoodley Lane |
| Description | An evaluation by trial trenching was carried out by Northern Archaeological Associates (NAA) between the 26th and 29th November 1993 within the area of a proposed housing development at Lakeland Crescent, Alwoodley (centred on the above grid reference). The area of development was 2.4 hectares of arable farmland immediately north of Alwoodley Lane and west of Lakeland Crescent.
The course of Roman Road 72b between Ilkley and Tadcaster was known to run through Alwoodley, but its exact position was uncertain. Two trial trenches were laid out orientated north to south to ensure that a cross section of any southwest to northwest aligned features (eg, the Roman Road) would be obtained.
Trench one was the most easterly of the trenches and measured 25m by 5m. Trench 2 measured 23m by 5m. Approximately 0.3m of topsoil was removed from both trenches using a JCB fitted with a toothless ditching bucket under archaeological supervision.
The evaluation confirmed that the course of the Roman Road ran diagonally in a northwest to southwest direction across the eastern area of the proposed development. The road foundations were constructed of compacted sand and gravel which was capped with flat foundation stones and a further layer of gravel. These were laid on the contemporary ground surface. The central foundation of the road was 6.2m wide and a maximum of 0.3m deep.
It is not mentioned in the report whether or not any artefacts were recovered. |
| Date | 21st century |
| Extent | contact the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service for information on what is available |
| Level | Item |