Site Event/Activity record ECH5914 - Archaeological Report on an Evaluation on land at Grafton New Hall, Stretton, Chester

A programme of Archaeological investigation was undertaken on land at Grafton New Hall, Stretton. Chester as an evaluation exercise in advance of development. Historic research places the site within the Medieval township of Grafton which may have formed part of the early Domesday manor of Tilston. Two trenches were excavated as part of the archaeological investigation. Both trenches were located to provide sections across a possible Medieval trackway which still partially survived as an earthwork feature. A complimentary metal detecting survey was also undertaken on areas of the surrounding fields that were affected by the proposed development. Both trenches served to demonstrate the character and form of the possible Medieval trackway. However all associated features and deposits were post medieval date; with only one fragment of late Medieval ceramic building material beign recovered residually in a post-Medieval context. The datable objects recovered from the metal detecting survey were all of either modern or postmedieval date. A number of iron and lead objects were indeterminate to form or date. There was limited evidence of Medieval activity found on the site. (1)