Site Event/Activity record ESF22784 - Evaluation, Plots 1 and 2, Eves Orchard, Bures St Mary

An archaeological evaluation, carried out in advance of residential development identified a post-medieval occupation soil layer, which is presumed to have developed during the site's known use as an orchard. The deposit lay under 19th/20th century deposits relating to the construction and demolition of the orchards range of service buildings (apple store, packing shed, stables and vehicle shed) (See BSM 085). Two trenches were excavated to a depth of c1.2m. They showed a 0.2m-0.4m thick modern demolition layer which at times overlaid a 0.2m thick deposit of light yellow/orange sand clay with frequent large flint which represented a bedding layer for the construction of the 19th century building range. Underneath was a buried soil horizon of light brownish grey compact silty clay 0.4m thick, overlain by 0.2-0.4m slight yellow brown silty clay subsoil. The natural geology was light orange/yellow sands. No other archaeological deposits were observed in the trenching, despite a deep soil profile which indicated that any archaeological horizon could be well-preserved, and there was no further evidence of the medieval ditch system previously seen at BSM 061 to the north-east, which is believed to have probably extended through the site towards Nayland Road. The proposed development is therefore thought unlikely to have any further impact upon archaeological heritage assets (S1).