Monument record 7911 - Enclosure at Marthall

<1> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 08/05/2017 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

A large sub-oval enclosure defined by a ditch is visible on processed LIDAR data (see 2). The area enclosed is approximately seven hectares and the earthwork defining the ditch is c.20m wide. The western side of the enclosure is partially defined by an incised steam valley. The enclosure appears to predate the overlying field system which largely disrespects the enclosures boundaries. The Cheshire HLC Project suggests that this field system predates the seventeenth century (see 3). The enclosure could possibly be associated with the former farmstead located on its western side (see CHER 7909). If so, this may suggest this is a medieval deer enclosure. Alternative interpretations include an Iron Age or Romano-British settlement enclosure.

<2> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, SJ7778/SJ7777 DTM 1m (copmosite) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

<3> Edwards R, 2008, The Cheshire Historic Landscape Characterisation (Report). SCH4463.

<4> Airviews Ltd, 1983-5, 1983-1985 Airviews Survey, Run 9, n.42082-3, 02/06/1985 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5296.

Parts of the western and northern enclosure ditches are visible as a slight cropmark.

<5> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993), Run 28, no.270-1, 31/10/1991 (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

The western and northern part of the enclosure ditch is visible as an earthwork. Part of the southern ditch is visible as a soilmark.