Site Event/Activity record ECH3594 - Land at Hampton, Cheshire: An Archaeological Evaluation

Archaeological evaluation undertaken in April 1995 in advance of a proposed fishery development of 12.8 hectares near Egerton Hall, Hampton. The purpose of the evaluation was to establish whether a number of previously discovered metalwork finds from the area, including Roman coins and Saxon metalwork, including two gold torcs, did originate from the area and whether these finds were indicative of settlement activity. The evaluation comprised a desk-based survey, and then following ploughing and harrowing of the area of development, a topographic survey and an examination of the ground surface. In tandem with the programme of field-walking a metal-detecting survey was also undertaken. Results of the evaluation show that this area has been meadow or pasture since at least the later seventeenth century. The field walking exercise produced a small assemblage of post medieval pottery which was largely found as single find spots or small scatters of two or three pieces so probably the result of manuring activity and perhaps occasional ploughing and re-seeding. Only one sherd of medieval pottery was found. The metal detecting survey located a large amount of ferrous material, mostly hooks and nails, the origin of which is probably the same as the post medieval ceramics. The most significant find was a small scatter of burnt stone measuring circa 7m in diameter and situated on the top of a mineral soil ridge. Similar scatters of burnt stone are known from many wetland areas of England are potentially Bronze Age in date. (1)