Site Event/Activity record ECH6426 - Archaeological Investigations. Heronbridge to Curzon Pipeline

In 2013, United Utilities proposed the installation of a pipeline along roads, and through fields and historic parkland to the south-west of Handbridge, Chester, (SJ 40368 64700, NGR centred). The landscape near the proposed pipeline is rich in terms of significant sites of archaeological interest, with sites of numerous periods having been previously identified. This includes remains dating to the Roman, early medieval, and medieval periods, as well as ramparts associated with the siege of Chester during the Civil War and elements of the post-medieval Eaton Hall estate. Part of the proposed pipeline also lies within the Curzon Park Conservation Area. Following a desk based assessment and walkover survey, In December 2015, OA North were commissioned by LiMA on behalf of United Utilities to carry out further archaeological works on the 16 sites recommended for further investigation in the walkover survey report. The work commenced in January 2016 with an Historic England Level 2/3 topographic survey and a programme of geophysical survey, followed by several months of watching brief that included monitoring of trial holes and site topsoil stripping between January and July 2016. The archaeological investigations revealed that, for the most part, the sites recommended for further investigation yielded little in the way of below ground archaeological remains. Following the geophysical survey, the planned evaluation trenching and strip and record excavation was reduced to a watching brief. The topographic survey recorded the extents of those sites identified for recording prior to the commencement of the open cut works. The survey revealed that, for the most part, the landscape features are generally consistent with the findings of the rapid desk-based assessment and that the area mainly consisted of open fields woodlands and drives. Features recorded along the carriage drive to Eaton Hall (Site 33) were consistent with a road of this nature and its general date of construction in the nineteenth century. The southern part of the topographic survey area was characterised by relict field systems and agricultural cultivation, including ridge and furrow. Most of this appears to date to the medieval/early post-medieval periods and appears to be overlain by features such as the carriage drive and surrounding parkland and woodland. Much of the evidence has been obscured by later levelling of the area to create playing fields and many of the smaller features identified as being of interest relate to them. The geophysical survey highlighted little in the way of below ground archaeological remains. Most of the responses related to field boundaries and ridge and furrow cultivation. There were no remains associated with either Handbridge Roman Cemetery or the Roman road between Chester and Wroxeter. The medieval great ditch (Site 14) was not detected. Trial holes and boreholes located adjacent to and near Eaton Road did not reveal any evidence of the Chester to Wroxeter Roman road or Handbridge Roman cemetery. Similarly, the watching brief during the topsoil strip in the compound area to the west of Eaton Road did not reveal any evidence of Handbridge Roman cemetery. The area to the south of Old Wrexham Road had been occupied by a compound when the original pipeline was first installed resulting in disturbed deposits and the subsoil horizon was often difficult to ascertain. No archaeological features were revealed. The finds collected during the watching brief revealed a wide range of dates from the Roman period through to post-medieval, many of which are commonly found in agricultural contexts. The earliest find was a single fragment of Roman amphora dating from the first to third centuries AD. Most of the finds were recovered from the topsoil; however, some finds were recovered from ditch fills, including ceramic building material, most of which is of post-medieval date. The most interesting finds were a late seventeenth century fragment of clay tobacco pipe possibly by a Chester pipe-maker (Thomas Orne?) and a single copper alloy quatrefoil horse pendent. This is potentially of fourteenth century date and the arms are those of the Welsh or Walsh family who originated in twelfth century Ireland. It is unlikely that any further archaeological works will add to the understanding of the sites affected by the pipeline. There are therefore, no recommendations for further works.