Site Event/Activity record ECH3868 - Proposed development on land between Holmes Chapel Road and Prosperity Way, Middlewich

An archaeological evaluation undertaken during May-June 2001 on the site of a proposed industrial development on a plot of land within the Midpoint 18 Industrial Estate, Middlewich, Cheshire (centring on NGR SJ 7080 6640). Following a rapid desk-top appraisal and geophysical survey, eleven linear trial trenches were excavated. The results have shown clearly that important archaeological features dating to the Roman period survive at the level of the undisturbed glacial subsoil. The impressive assemblage of finds recovered from the ditches, pits, post-holes and gullies recorded during the trial excavation indicates probable salt production on the site during the second century AD. There were also possible indications of pre-Roman activity.