Monument record 5044/1 - The Medieval Period at Oversley Farm

Excavation at Oversley Farm 1997-1998 in advance of runway expansion at Manchester Airport

This phase of activity was characterised by the occurrence of large D-shaped features interpreted as tree bole pits. This is probably indicative of a phase of reforestation on the site, or the lines of hedge/field boundaries. The range of dates indicates occasional wind-blown tree loss. Artefactual evidence was limited to redeposited Bronze Age lithic objects and ceramics, as well as some fragmentary copper objects that may have represented fittings from a possible Anglo-Saxon belt. Interestingly the place-name of Oversley translates to Wulfric's Ley (or clearing in a wood) and is believed to date to the late Anglo- Saxon period.

Giffords Consulting Engineers (Chester), 1997-98, Oversley Farm, Styal, Cheshire: Excavations in advance of Manchester Airport's Runway 2, 1997-8. Volume 1 - Report, R2336.1-2 (Client Report). SCH3946.

Giffords Consulting Engineers (Chester), 1997-98, Oversley Farm, Styal, Cheshire: Excavations in advance of Manchester Airport's Runway 2, 1997-8. Volume 2 - Figures, R2336.2 (Client Report). SCH3947.

Giffords Consulting Engineers (Chester), 1998, Draft Evaluation Report: Manchester Airport - Runway 2, Volume I, R2273 (Client Report). SCH4251.

Gifford and Partners, 1999, Manchester Airport - Runway 2. Evaluation Report - Volume I: Text and Plates, R2285/1-2 (Client Report). SCH3972.

Giffords Consulting Engineers (Chester), 1999, Manchester Airport Second Runway, Oversley Farm Excavation: Post-Excavation Assessment Report, R2283 (Client Report). SCH3975.

<1> D J Garner, 2007, The Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlement at Oversley Farm, Styal, Cheshire (Book). SCH5392.