Excavation of an Iron Age Site in 2002 at Westwood, University of Warwick, Coventry: Archaeological Archive Appraisal & Preliminary Post-excavation Report (original) (raw)

Abstract

In the summer of 2002 a ‘rescue’ excavation took place at Westwood, University of Warwick, after a significant late Iron Age occupation site was discovered during ground reduction for a new all-weather football pitch. The remains of 14 roundhouses were uncovered, their spatial arrangement signifying at least two phases of occupation. The excavation produced a reasonable quantity of well-preserved pottery and animal bone, its occurrence suggesting ‘structured’ deposition (i.e. deliberately-placed with ritual nuance). A crucible found at the site has since been the subject of independent study, revealing the first evidence for late Iron Age silver-working in the Midlands. Following wide media coverage, the discoveries attracted the attention of scholars and public alike. The excavation work was carried out for the University of Warwick (the Developer) by the university’s Centre for Life Long Learning, under the direction of Stephen Hill PhD, FSA. It followed on from a pre-determinative evaluation and a watching brief, in accordance with advice from the archaeological planning advisor for the Local Planning Authority (Coventry City Council). Somewhat astonishingly, the post-excavation programme of this major discovery managed to slip through the planning net. In the subsequent grant of planning consent (2003), the local planning authority placed no requirement on the developer to undertake analysis and publication of the results. At some time after the excavation the physical archive and the documentary archive became separated and entered different repositories; the documentary archive having become much depleted. This report, prepared in 2018, presents a quantification of the surviving archive and an assessment of its research potential. An addendum has been added in 2019 which clarifies the decision of the local planning authority, the position of the developer, and the likely reason for the termination of post-excavation research.

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