Site Event/Activity record ECH3985 - Middlewich Eastern Bypass, Cheshire. Archaeological Evaluation

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in July and August 2003 as part of an environmental assessment produced in advance of construction of the new Middlewich Eastern Bypass, running from the A533 south of Middlewich at New Farm, northwards to a new industrial estate lying to the south of the A54. There is little known archaeology along the proposed road corridor, although the line of King Street Roman road lies less than 1km to the west. The evaluation comprised a programme of trial trenching and was informed by earlier investigations including a geophysical survey (see ECH4002) which identified anomalies of potential archaeological interest. Other features of interest were highlighted through a desk-based assessment in 2001. The trenches excavated amounted to approximately 5% of the total area of the proposed route, although due to access constraints, the trenching was revised from 54 trenches to 30 which were located on features of possible significance already identified. The earlier geophysical survey identified a group of anomalies tentatively interpreted as a possible rectangular enclosure with numerous ditches and pits; the trenching confirmed the presence of the possible enclosure ditch on its northern, eastern and southern sides. However, modern land drains truncated the lower fills of the ditches and no diagnostic finds were retrieved. A north-south ditch was also identified in which a Roman pottery sherd was found, although this was probably re-deposited. It is thought that the enclosure and associated pits may well be prehistoric or Roman in date, similarly the north-south ditch may well form part of a Roman field system. (1)