Site Event/Activity record ECH6871 - Saxon Heath, Tarporley Road, Tarvin, Cheshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report

A programme of trial trench archaeological evaluation was undertaken in 2013 in advance of a proposed new residential development along Tarporley Road to the southwest of Tarvin, Cheshire (NGR SJ 49200 66200). A desk-based assessment (ECH5210) revealed possible evidence for fortifications or features relating to the 17th century occupation of Tarvin during the English Civil War. A follow up programme of geophysical survey (ECH5623) most notably revealed a wide linear feature crossing the north side of the survey area which was interpreted as a back-filled ditch. An associated metal-detector survey identified a concentration of artefacts on the south side of the survey area, including musket balls and buttons of probable 17th century date. A partial cannon ball was also recovered. Subsequently, the trial trench evaluation comprised the excavation of ten trenches, each measuring 30m by 1.8m, totalling 540m2 and focused on areas of archaeological potential as identified in the previous phases of work at the site. Trenches 1 to 6 and 9 to 10 were all devoid of archaeological remains. Only Trenches 7 and 8 contained archaeological features. In Trench 7 this was in the form of a substantial cut ditch [703] and in Trench 8 by another substantial ditch [808] and a smaller potential field boundary [805]. All three features correspond to the linear anomaly identified during the geophysical survey, and all follow the line of a field boundary identified at its earliest on the 1838 Tithe Map for Tarvin. Without dating-evidence the ditches [703] and [808] may range from prehistoric to post-medieval in age. During investigations to the north by Earthworks Archaeology in 2003/2007, no finds where recovered from the observed enclosure ditch that suggested 17th century construction; this interpretation coming from the associated spot-finds and the historic evidence. Despite no direct dating for the construction of these ditches, the extensive historic documentation on civil war era Tarvin and the associated finds from the previous metal-detecting survey, mean that a 17th century construction and use is at least feasible. (1)