Monument record 1807/1/1 - Bowling Alley Plantation 1

<1> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, Vol 1 p.44, 46-7 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

A rectangular ditched enclosure c. 33m by 18m with bowed sides and rounded corners aligned approximately north-south. The southern end is pierced by a wide (c. 10 m) gap. Regular linear features crossing the field are a result of recent drainage. Other irregular lines may, however reflect ancient demarcations. The location overlooks the flood plain of the Dee, 730m from its east bank. It may cautiously be suggested that the rectangular feature represents a class of timber monument known as long mortuary enclosures which date from the Neolithic.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ45NW 16 (NG 15/01/1981) (Index). SCH2487.

An open ended rectangular earthwork contained within a large enclosure. Possibly an Iron Age rectangular house or a Saxon hall. The earthworks are not visible on Ordnance Survey aerial photographs (OS 69/329 097-8 04/07/1969).

<3> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, No.6 p.7, 9 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner RC, 1987 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The site lies on a river terrace of gravel and clay. This is level and with no evidence of a mound. Commands extensive views across Dee floodplain.

<5> Gater, JA, 1988, Report on Geophysical Survey: Farndon, Cheshire (Unpublished Report). SCH2844.

A geophysical survey of a possible Neolithic mortuary enclosure. The survey aimed to pinpoint the enclosure and clarify the nature of the features visible on the aerial photograph. The magnetometer survey failed to locate the enclosure ditches, but a few features of potential interest were pinpointed and these would benefit from further examination if excavation work is carried out at the site.

<6> Historic England & Archaeological Research Services, 2017, Cheshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Sampling the Peak Fringe, Cheshire Plain and Mersey Valley, 68832 (Digital Archive). SCH8172.

The rectilinear enclosure, probably later prehistoric or Roman in date and visible as cropmark ditches on aerial photography, was mapped as part of the Cheshire National Mapping Programme project. The site is similar in size and form to Neolithic mortuary enclosures but may alternatively be part of a wider field or enclosure system. No sign of any surviving earthworks was visible on aerial photography or lidar imagery. The enclosure has internal dimensions of approximately 34.5 x 17.9m, with rounded corners and a break in the ditch at its southernmost end.

<8> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, 1990-2001, Jill Collens and Rob Philpott's Aerial Photographs, 3.0631-6, 3.0752-3, 3.0909-13, 3.1497-8, 3.1501, 3.1505, 3.1537-8 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5403.

<9> Cheshire Historic Environment Record, 1989, Jill Collens' Aerial Photographs, 6.0519-6.0526 (Aerial Photograph). SCH9711.