EHG6175 - Trial trenching evaluation - new house plot, Moyness Road, Auldearn

A trial trenching evaluation was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group in 2023 in advance of the erection of a new house, on land 55m southeast of Roundall Wood, Moyness Road, Auldearn. An archaeological trial trenching evaluation of 7-10% of the proposed development site was required to evaluate the archaeological potential. The proposed development covers an area of 1,915m² as defined by the red-line application boundary, but the fenced development area available for trenching was c. 1,430m². Three trenches covering 130m² were excavated to cover c. 8% of the available area. Two archaeological features were found in Trench 1. Given the presence of so much known prehistoric archaeology within the nearby area, it seems likely that these features are of a similar date and that there may be more within the current site. Therefore, a watching brief during initial site clearance/topsoil removal at the start of construction works is recommended. <1>