Site Event/Activity record ESF21787 - Geoarchaeology of Anglo-Saxon Buildings, West Stow

A feasibility study of techniques for investigating compaction at the Farmer's House, West Stow. Bulk samples were taken on 30th May 2007, in warm, dry conditions. Samples were taken systematically, with two transects established across the site, running north-south and east-west, and crossing in the middle of the pit. Two sampling locations were chosen along these transects at every cardinal point around the pit, with a spacing of 1m between each location. Four slots were then dug down to the underlying sandy natural to the north, south, east and west, revealing the soil profile. In practice, almost every sample location revealed the same profile: a richly organic topsoil on top of a layer of mid/ dark brown silty sand, on top of a light yellowish brown sand natural. three other sampling points were chosen to the south of the Farmer's House. These were taken at 2m intervals, in an east-west transect that included the 52 sampling point.