Frampton on Severn ALSF NMP

The Frampton on Severn ALSF project was carried out as part of the National Mapping Programme (NMP) funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). It formed part of a wider project looking at the The Archaeological Landscape of Frampton on Severn, and was carried out by Gloucestershire County Council Archaeological Service.  The overall aim of the project was to enhance the archaeological record of this area, which is rich in archaeological material, but is also an area that has seen extensive aggregate extraction.

Frampton on Severn is located in the southern part of Gloucestershire, on a spread of gravel between the Rivers Severn and Frome, which has been heavily exploited for aggregate extraction since the 17th century. The Frampton on Severn area contains one of the larger reserves of sand and gravel in Gloucestershire outside the Upper Thames Valley. Growing demand for aggregates in the south west region adds to the need for understanding of this particular landscape, which is rich in archaeological sites.

The main aim of the aerial survey was to use the aerial photographic record to identify and map the exact location of 5 ring-ditches at Netherhills, which had been excavated by R.J.C Atkinson in 1948 and to put them into context by mapping the archaeology of the wider landscape, including the nearby sites at Perryway, Eastington, Townfield farm and Park Corner Cottage.  The excavation at Netherhills was undertaken as a ‘rescue’ excavation in response to the threat of gravel extraction but remains unpublished.

The other aims and objectives of the Frampton on Severn aerial survey were to identify, transcribe digitally and describe all archaeological features showing as cropmarks, soilmarks or earthworks on aerial photographs.  This was to provide a wider context for the Prehistoric/Roman sites mentioned above and enhance the general archaeological understanding of the region.  This included all plough-levelled and upstanding archaeological remains from the Neolithic period to 1945, including military and industrial features, which were visible on the available aerial photographs.

The images used on this page are copyright English Heritage unless specified otherwise. For further details of any photographs or other images and for copies of these, or the plans and reports related to the project please contact the NMR English Heritage's public archive.

For further information on a project or any other aspect of the work of the Aerial Survey team please contact us at: AerialSurvey@english-heritage.org.uk.