GeopostNavigation Park,Ponders End,Enfield

In October and November 2010, Oxford Archaeology South undertook an evaluation at Navigation Park, Ponders End, Enfield on behalf of SEGRO Industrial Properties Ltd. Seven trenches were excavated and archaeological features were identified in Trenches 3, 5 and 7. In Trenches 3 and 5, these consisted of ditches, a pit and several treeholes, cut into alluvial material and sealed by later alluvial deposits. Trench 7 contained a dog burial of post-medieval date. All of these features appeared to be cut into a comparative and contemporary horizon although the features within Trenches 3 and 5 were not dated by the presence of artefact assemblages. These features were sterile and are likely to represent field drainage ditches reflected by the presence of a contemporary stabilisation land surface. Trenches 3 and 5 represent a localised area of preservation within a largely disturbed and truncated site. The remaining trenches each displayed significant truncation and levelling caused by the various phases of factory construction undertaken here since the 19th century. Geoarchaeological test pits were excavated within the trenches across the eastern part of the site revealing a well preserved alluvial sequence within Trench 7 to 3 m below the current ground level. Investigation of the gravel sequence failed to encounter the 'Arctic Bed' deposits and an organic deposit within the upper part of the gravel sequence in Trench 5 proved to be of Bronze Age date. The result of the fieldwork indicates that there is a low potential for significant archaeological remains to be present and those that were identified present are very localised and not associated with artefact assemblages. ©