Site Event/Activity record ECH6146 - An Archaeological Evaluation of Land at St Peter's Churchyard, Prestbury, Cheshire. Phase II Assessment Report.

Phase II archaeological evaluation work undertaken at St Peter's Church, Prestbury, in association with the construction of an extension on the north-east corner of the church. The project included the archaeological excavation of foundations for the extension and a watching brief during additional groundworks. St Peter's Church was the head of one of the largest medieval parishes in Cheshire and wsa probably established in the Anglo-Saxon period. Fragments of two re-used Anglo-Saxon stone crosses were found in the church walls in the 19th century. Articulated human burials were found in nine of the ten trenches excavated at a depth of circa 0.85m to 2.15m below ground level. All of the burials were 150-250 years old and the majority were within badly decayed wooden coffins with corroded iron coffin plates. The partial remains of 35 individuals were recorded. Despite the presence of gravemarkers naming burials, stratigraphic evidence showed that most could not relate to the underlying burials probably due to reorganisation of the churchyard. The only significant artefact found was a section of medieval cross slab, a grave marker of the 13th-14th century foind in the foundations of the vestry during the watching brief phase. (1)