Site Event/Activity record ECH3979 - Aldford Castle, Cheshire 2002. Excavation

Excavation of an area in the north western corner of the motte. The excavation was sited to investigate the high resistance anomalies selected. Two trenches were excavated. Evidence from Trench IV points towards the exisitence of a significant masonary structure in this area of the motte. The pottery found indicates intensive occupation in the 13th and 14th centuries, perhaps continuing into the 15th century. It is not possible to assign any specific date to the abandonment of the motte based on the evidence recovered. Once the castle was no longer occupied, any standing structures were obviously levelled but precisely when this levelling occurred is impossible to say. The lack of evidence for Norman Period occupation from the 1999-2002 excavations does begin to call into question a construction date of 11th of 12th century for Aldford Castle.