Grove Solar Farm, Leonard Stanley, Gloucestershire - Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

Wessex Archaeology

A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over land at Grove Solar Farm, Leonard Stanley, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR 379500 203800). The site comprises nine arable fields located 1 km east of the village of Leonard Stanley and 15 km south of Gloucester, in the county of Gloucestershire, covering an area of 53 ha.

The survey has identified an extensive range of archaeological features that likely cover multiple periods of activity. This is predominantly associated with a palimpsest of conjoined or overlapping ditched enclosures and two ring ditches located in the centre of the site. The ring ditches are thought to relate to the Early to Mid-Bronze Age barrow cemetery. The easternmost enclosure is most likely attributable to the Iron Age settlement, while the enclosure to the west indicates aRomano-British phase of occupation. These enclosures are seemingly interconnected by a branching trackway or road system.

Both areas of settlement comprise enclosed areas with pit-like features. They also both contain areas that may relate to industrial activity and burning. It is possible that the Romano-British settlement contains structural remains. Surrounding the settlement is a wider field system. It is likely that various phases of field systems are visible spanning the Iron Age – Romano-British through to the modern day. Two large and several small areas indicate historical gravel extraction in the eastern part of the site. One has been noted on the first edition OS mapping for Gloucestershire. The remaining identified anomalies relate to modern field boundaries, geological features, and modern services.