Site Event/Activity record ECH6934 - Metal Detecting Survey & Evaluation Report: Delph Lane, Daresbury

A metal detecting survey and archaeological evaluation on the site was undertaken in December 2020 on land off Delph Lane, Daresbury. The works comprised the excavation of six trial trenches (each 5m by 2m) across the locations of historic field boundaries seen on the 1844 Tithe map, a walkover of the site to attempt to determine the location of a potential holy well, as well as a metal detecting survey of Big Holywell Field. The metal detecting survey recovered 79 items including copper alloy, lead, iron, steel, tin, plastic, ceramic and lithic objects. All non-lithic items dated from the Post Medieval and Modern periods. The lithic material is thought to date from the Prehistoric period, likely Neolithic to Bronze Age. There were no distinctive patterns of deposition, with metal items relating to agricultural industrial forms, with some decorative copper alloy elements. There was no distinct zone of activity for the flint, likely due to ploughing activity. However, all finds were recovered from close to the boundary with Delph Lane. It may be that, as opposed to a working site, these are discarded or imported items. The trenches produced no significant archaeology. Trenches 1, 2 and 6 were the only trenches with recordable features. Trench 6 produced a thin lens of grey sand. Trench 2 produced a charcoal rich linear, thought to be a tree bowl. Trenches 1 and 2 showed some evidence of tree bowls along the alignment of the field boundary shown on the 1844 Tithe Map, and it is possible this was a hedge or planted boundary. The brook located along the western edge of the site was a known geological fault line, and was thought to be the location of a holy well. A series of large sandstone blocks near the north-western corner of the site were observed in the brook. These appeared oversized for a culvert and may possibly have had a connection to the holy well. (1)