Site Event/Activity record ECH6211 - Exploratory Dig at the Paddock and the Manor House lawns, Eccleston.

As part of the continuing HEAP project (Heronbridge & Eccleston Archaeological Project) CAS undertook four days of test pit excavation in the Paddock and Manor House gardens from 30th May to 2nd June 2014. Following a resistivity survey on the 3rd May the location of four trenches was decided. Trench 1 – To investigate the foundations of the curvilinear boundary wall of the churchyard, to establish the age of the foundations and any earlier structure. To look for evidence of the earlier churches. Trench 2 – To investigate reports of a building at the entrance to the Manor House grounds. This is also in the area of the route of the old track from Watling Street to the River Dee. Trench 3 – To investigate the anomaly in the centre of the paddock – possibly an area of shallow soil and sandstone, or alternatively building rubble or other human deposits. Trench 4 – To search for evidence of buildings shown on estate maps from the 18th Century. Results Trench 1 We were able to excavate down to the natural clay and identify the blue foundation stones of the retaining wall. There was no evidence of multiple phases of construction or repair of this section of the wall. Trench 2 No identifiable structures, but large amounts of rubble and slag, possibly as in fill to improve the level of the ground. Trench 3 No structures. Sandstone bedrock reached at a depth of approx. 0.75m Trench 4 Foundations of an external wall (double width) and some internal walls of a brick building. Bricks possibly date from the mid 16th/Early 17th C