Site Event/Activity record ECH6287 - Excavation of two phase rampart and ditch, Cliff Villa, Castle Cliff, Northwich

An archaeological trench (trench 10), 26ft long by 8ft wide, was excavated in 1970 in the garden of Cliff Villa, Castle Cliff. A second trench, 14ft long, extended the investigated area further to the south. The excavation was initiated by The Northwich Archaeological Group, but when the significance of the results emerged, it was agreed that the work should continue with the assistance of staff from Manchester University. The excavation recorded a substantial 'military' ditch and rampart of two phases which were interpreted as the northern defences of the Flavian fort. The primary ditch, was approximately 18ft wide and was cut 5ft into the natural subsoil. The ditch was re-cut, in period II, to an increased width of 20ft, partly demolishing the primary rampart material which formed deliberate underpacking for the period II wall. The rampart was also of two periods. The primary rampart comprised brown, pebbly earth resting on a packed cobble and gravel raft, it was revetted on the front with turf. A robber trench of a stone wall up to 5 foot wide had been inserted into the face of the rampart in period 2. Several worked sandstone blocks were recorded. Also, two stakeholes discovered at the north end of the trench, were thought to represent a line of additional defence such as a fence of pointed stakes or 'thorn hedge'. At the far end of the trench a sandstone and cobble pack appears to have been a paved track running along the outside of the ditch. Only a few sherds of Flavian/Trajanic samian pottery were recovered, indicating that the start of period II was in the early second century.