Site Event/Activity record ECH6030 - Archaeological Strip and Map and record at Parker's Road Crewe

An archaeological strip and map exercise was carried out at Parker's Road, Barrows Green, Crewe. The archaeological work was implemented because of the potential for archaeological remains on the site. The work was carried out by Dan Garner and George Lacey of L - P : Archaeology between the 30th September and 1st October 2014. This report has been prepared by Rachael Matthews and Dan Garner of L – P : Archaeology on behalf of Bloor Homes. Desk based research suggests that there is no evidence of Prehistoric, Roman or medieval activity within the vicinity of the site. Greenwood's map of 1819 shows several buildings lining Moss Lane, one of these structures falls within the site area. Thought to be associated with the areas peat cutting industry, the building itself was potentially a moss cutters dwelling. This structure appears to have gone by the time that the 1836 tithe map was compiled. There is no evidence of further development on the site, which appears to have been used for agricultural purposes until the early 21st century. The strip and record exercise revealed a covering of Post-Medieval plough soil across the whole area; beneath which was natural boulder clay. Several field and land drains were revealed and a linear piped-ditch feature ran north-south across the trench. However, there was no evidence of the archaeological remains of the 19th century dwelling. Artefacts recovered from the plough soil suggest domestic occupation in the vicinity between c.1680 to 1760+ and this may relate to the use of the former building. Building debris in both the plough soil and the backfilled ditch [04] might be derived from the demolition of the building during the earlier part of the 19th century. This debris included fragments of handmade brick which might have been derived from a brick chimney stack. The lack of evidence for wall foundations possibly implies that the bulk of the building was a timber structure that has left no trace in the archaeological record.