Frogmore Hall, Atcham, Shropshire - Excavations June 2017

Roger H. White, Janine Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This report outlines the findings of the evaluative student training excavation of the cropmark site at Frogmore Hall, Atcham, Shropshire (SJ5511) carried out between 30th May and 16th June 2017. The purpose of the evaluation was to research the potential damage to the scheduled monument caused by an infestation of rabbits occupying the field since its reversion to pasture in 1990. Additional concerns about the clandestine activities of metal detectorists operating illegally on the site (‘nighthawking’) informed the research design of the evaluation.3 The outcome of the controlled metal detecting survey was instrumental in establishing a fuller picture of the date range of the cropmark remains that extensively cover the scheduled area. Excavation successfully established the accuracy of the cropmark information and sufficient stratified carbonised material was retrieved to enable AMS radiocarbon dating of a small number of features, including the principal structure. The excavation uncovered and sampled the remains of two timber buildings, both of which appear to have been burnt down. AMS dating and the mode of construction confirmed a mid-7th-century date for these structures. An enclosure ditch probably of Roman date and other discrete features of indeterminate purpose were identified and sampled for environmental and dating evidence. Two of these provided AMS dates in the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age (c.1000–800 BC) while another proved to be contemporary to the date of the structure (c.AD 600–800). A single AMS date from Trench 2 proved to be of Roman date, contemporary with pottery recovered from the same context. Later evidence for activity in the field comprised remains of Medieval ridge-and-furrow which had impacted on the survival of earlier remains on the site and a large Post-Medieval pit probably dug to extract clay.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-132
Number of pages30
JournalTransactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society
Volume95
Publication statusPublished - 31 Oct 2020

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