Site Event/Activity record ECH6233 - Dig Blacon Test Pitting

Dig Blacon was a community archaeology project conducted by Big Heritage C.I.C. on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Public Health Team. The public element of the project commenced in June 2015 and concluded at the end of October 2015. Excavation was undertaken between 11th September and 23rd of October 2015. The project was primarily a test pitting exercise focused on the north-east area of Blacon Estate, to the north west of Chester (NGR SJ 384 675). Twenty test pits were excavated, supported by geophysical survey. These were undertaken in residential and business premises and on open public land. Overall, the test pitting project undertaken at Blacon in the summer and autumn of 2015 was successful in meeting its Aims and Objectives. Firstly, the project demonstrated that geophysical survey can be successfully implemented in the area and that features and material of archaeological interest survive in this part of Blacon despite development over the past century. The test pitting project also recovered a significant artefactual assemblage, the oldest artefact dating to the end of the Romano-British period. The main body of material pertained to the post-medieval period or later. The limited post-medieval material was not directly associated with occupation. It did, however, suggest agricultural activity in this part of Blacon from as early as the 15th century. The majority of the artefacts recovered dated to the 19th onwards. The material assemblage and recorded features were likely connected with Blacon Hall and the associated agricultural activities in which it was engaged.