Evaluation at The Olympic, Beechenlea Lane, Swanley

Seven evaluation trenches were planned and set up using a differential global positioning system (DGPS). The eastern end of Trench 6 was moved c.1.5m south to avoid a patch of long grass. The northern end of Trench 4 was similarly moved 1m east to avoid a patch of long grass. The rest of the trenches were excavated as planned. All trenches were excavated using a 13-tonne mechanical excavator and a smooth grading bucket. Trenches were excavated in spits of no more than 0.1m until archaeological deposits were visible or the underlying 'natural' was encountered. Seven evaluation trenches were excavated across the area of proposed development for rugby and training pitches. The natural geology in trenches 2 and 4 was sealed below an intact subsoil layer. In trenches 3 and 7 the natural geology was sealed below a layer of made ground, which most likely is related to the construction of the nearby M25 and/or M20 motorways. In these trenches the natural geology appeared largely undisturbed other than some rooting and possible animal burrows. In trenches 1, 5 and 6 the natural geology was truncated by modern, plastic lined features, which are likely related to the golf driving range that was located on the site. No archaeological features or artefacts were present in any of the evaluation trenches. According to historic mapping the site has been open fields since at least the 19th century and in recent years has been a golf driving range.