Monument record 4560 - Linear Earthworks East of Cophurst Farm

<1> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, Run 46, 4010-4011, 07/07/1971 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

<2> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993), Line 36, 125-126, 22/10/1993 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

<3> Bluesky International Ltd, 1999-2003, 1999-2003 Bluesky Survey, 200/33/353, 19/06/2000 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5482.

<4> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol. I, p.153 (Book). SCH3228.

<5> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 30/05/2017 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Aerial photographs dating from 1971 (1), 1993 (2) and 2000 (3) show a series of negative earthworks which are assumed to be the remains of ditches associated with the field system surrounding Cophurst. This includes ditches flanking a generally north-south aligned trackway which appears to still be in (at least partial) use. The earliest documentary reference to Cophurst dates from 1561 (4) and adjacent farmsteads have a broadly similar date. It is probable that the field system is contemporary, though the extant field system east of the trackway is probably late eighteenth century (if not later) in date. This record includes two areas of ridge and furrow located either side of the trackway. Its morphology suggests a relatively late date, with that to the east of the trackway, reminiscent of nineteenth century steam ploughing.

Although, on the balance of probability, these earthworks, are associated with the surrounding field system, it is possible that some may be form part of an as yet unidentified archaeological site.