In 2014 PastSearch was asked by HOSM Local History Society to undertake a Community Dig. This involved digging a number of 1m x 1m test pits around the village.
These are the results from those Test Pits:
Test Pit 1 - Chestnut Drive
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 80cm
Natural Encountered at: 80cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Subsoil
No. of Archaeological Features: 0
Collected Material: Brick, Pottery, Coal Fragments
Although no archaeological features were found, a couple of medieval pottery sherds were collected from the topsoil. These may be associated with a known kiln located nearby.
Test Pit 2 - Holme Close
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 50cm
Natural Encountered at: 50cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Subsoil
No. of Archaeological Features: 0
Collected Material: Pottery, Coal Fragments, Glass, Cu Al Object, Flint/Chert
Although no archaeological features were found, medieval pottery sherds was collected from the topsoil, which may be associated with a known kiln located nearby.
Test Pit 3 - Selby Road
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 50cm
Natural Encountered at: 50cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Subsoil; Burnt Deposit
No. of Archaeological Features: 0
Collected Material: Pottery, Coal Fragments
Although no archaeological features were found, a substantial quantity of medieval pottery sherds was collected from the subsoil, which may be associated with a known kiln located nearby. A burnt deposit was also encountered within the subsoil, an environmental sample was collected.
Test Pit 4 - Old Road Allotment
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 80cm
Natural Encountered at: 55cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Subsoil; Buried Topsoil?
No. of Archaeological Features: 0
Collected Material: Pottery, Coal Fragments, Cu Alloy object.
Test Pit 5 - Moor End
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 90cm
Natural Encountered at: 70cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Subsoil; Buried Topsoil?
No. of Archaeological Features: 0
Collected Material: Pottery, CBM, coal fragments
Test Pit 6 - Runner End
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 1m
Natural Encountered at: 95cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Subsoil; Buried Topsoil?
No. of Archaeological Features: 1 – Modern Pit
Collected Material: Pottery, CBM, Coal Fragments
Here we had an archaeological feature, and although it was a modern pit, still good to have located. This has been the deepest test pit so far, and pottery was found in the earliest layer.
Test Pit 7 - Holly Bank Close
TP Dimensions: 1m x 1m
TP Depth: 75cm
Natural Encountered at: 50cm Below Ground Level
Excavated Layers: Topsoil; Accumulation Layer; Buried Topsoil
No. of Archaeological Features: 0
Collected Material: Pottery, CBM, Coal Fragments
This location is a new estate within the village, it was hoped that a feature which had been observed during archaeological monitoring on an adjoining development would be encountered here, but this was not to be.
It was interesting to see how the land has built upin such a short period of time, as the original topsoil had been buried below an accumulation layer, created by the building of the estate. This had in turn been sealed by a new layer of topsoil for the garden, raising the ground level by at least 30cm.