Monument record 0954500000 - Marlow Flood Alleviation Scheme, Low Grounds Farm

27 trenches were dug in a field south of Marlow off Pound Lane and north of where Marlow Archaeological Society have done work at Low Grounds Farm. The focus of archaeological activity was in an arc extending from the west part of the site in trenches 1, 2, 3 and 4 and then to the north of the site in trenches 12, 13 and 17 and turning back south and east to trenches 21, 22, 25, 26 and 27. The archaeological remains are fragmentary in nature and the vast majority of the features were isolated pits and ditch segments. The results suggest that a continuation of the activity previously identified in the adjacent southern field continues across the western limit of the site. This is supported by the presence of residual material remains in hollows and tree-throws coupled with a number of isolated pits. One in particular (Pit 313 in Trench 3) produced a significant Early Neolithic pottery and flint assemblage, charred hazelnut shells and charred grains of spelt/emmer wheat. This suggests a small early Neolithic settlement with arable cultivation nearby. The charred hazelnut shells were probably thrown into the pit as fire debris. Tree-throw hole 212 (in Trench 2) was also probably used for disposal of fire debris and domestic rubbish or possibly for cooking activity. A large number of charred hazelnut shells were recovered from the fill, along with a blade-based flint assemblage of late Mesolithic or Early Neolithic date. In the north of the site evidence for early occupation was suggested by the presence of a number of linear ditches in Trench 4. Similarly in the north-east of the site there were pits and linear ditches representing probable boundaries dividing the landscape but lack of findsd means that a date for these remains is unknown, although the similarity in flintwork suggests a broadly contemporary date to pit 313 and tree-throw hole 212 (B1). NGR to concentration of dated features to the north-west of the site.
LIDAR survey shows that barrow cemetery lies on area of high ground, a former island in the Thames, and that there is no evidence from non-intrusive survey of activity on lower ground. However, the report goes on to say that the excavation detailed above proved there was activity below the alluvium and it may be that it masks lots of evidence (B2).
Geophysical survey carried out in March 2005 by West Yorkshire Archaeological Service had failed to identify any archaeological anomalies (B3).