The site was first thought to contain archaeological remains in 1975 when an aerial photograph was captured from the air, showing a complex set of cropmarks.
The image was taken by Professor J.K. St Joseph of the Cambridge University Committee for Aerial Photography (CUCAP; St Joseph 1975). The site’s striking similarity to other important excavations resulted in the site being designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Until now, the field has been left undisturbed with no further investigations carried out.
Due to concerns surrounding damage to the site from unlawful use of metal detectors and large numbers of rabbits, archaeologists from the conservation charity decided the time was right to excavate the site.
Working with Dr Roger White from the University of Birmingham, National Trust archaeologist Janine Young successfully applied for permission from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for consent to undertake the excavation, which included digging two large trenches.