Site Event/Activity record ECH3940 - Archaeological evaluation at land to the rear of Welsh Row, Nantwich in 2001 (Phase 1 Kingsley Fields)

University of Manchester Archaeological Unit was commissioned to undertake a programme of archaeological investigation in advance of development of land to the north of Welsh Row and Snow Hill, Nantwich. Previous archaeological work in the area had identified a high potential for archaeological remains, particularly of a Roman date, relating to the salt working industry at Nantwich. Work comprised a geophysical and metal detecting survey, a desk based assessment and an evaluation of the site consisting of 33 trial trenches and 2 test pits. (Sources 1-4) The interpretation/narrative of the results of the excavations changed considerably through the post excavation process - the definitive statement is contained in the 2012 monologue by P.Arrowsmith and D.Power, 'Roman Nantwich: A Salt-Making Settlement'. BAR British Series 557. (Source 2) The geophysical survey undertaken as part of the above investigations was used as a case study in a project, undertaken in 2007 by David Jordan, investigating the effectiveness of geophysical surveys carried out for archaeological site evaluation in the North West of England, concentrating on commercial projects since 1990. It gathered information about the methods, sites, natural contexts and outcomes of all surveys for which information was available. It then analysed these data to reach conclusions about the use and effectiveness of such survey in the roles chosen for it. Three case studies were examined in Cheshire - Buckley's Field, Middlewich (2005); Welsh Row, Nantwich (2001); and Middlewich Eastern Bypass (2003). (Source 5)