Site Event/Activity record ECH6313 - Halton Castle, Runcorn - Geophysical Survey

A geophysical survey of a specified area of Halton Castle, was carried out to aid and inform future archaeological works at the site. The geophysical survey took place in warm, dry weather. The survey was conducted by archaeological staff from the Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University of Salford, alongside volunteers. The area of survey focussed on the Eastern boundary of the site, in an area known as the outer bailey, directly East of the bowling green area. The significance of this area was due to reasonably level ground with little to no visible inclusions i.e.. Stakes/poles/rubbish. The geophysical survey at Halton Castle returned some potential anomalies which may relate to archaeological features within the outer bailey area. The results reflect that despite the high level of overburden soils, potential remains could be identified through the process of excavation. The anomalies which highlight the most potential are those of 02, 03 and 04; this is due to the scale of these anomalies and their high levels of resistance. Excavation would be the recommended programme of further works for the identification of these anomalies and a suggested trench location plan has been included within the figures of this report. The recommendation is for four trenches to be excavated at strategic locations for the identification of anomalies and the confirmation of archaeological remains. Trench one which could be located to the East of the outer bailey area, would be located over anomalies 02 and 03, with the aim to identify these anomalies and ascertain the levels of archaeological remains within this area. Trench two which could be located to the North of the outer bailey area, would be located over anomaly 04, while also investigating an area of the outer bailey which appears unaltered on map regression. The aim of this trench would be the identification of anomaly 04. Trench three which could be located to the North West of the outer bailey area, along the curtain wall would be positioned with an aim to investigate an area of the outer bailey which could not be surveyed due to modern inclusions (fencing and gating) but which never the less, may hold potential archaeological remains. Trench four, which could be located within the North of the inner bailey, close to the curtain wall, would also be positioned to investigate an area which was no viable for geophysical prospection. In conclusion, based on the positive results of this survey it is highly recommended that further investigation by excavation is conducted with the aim of identifying of the anomalies recorded.