Monument record 823 - Linear Mound 300m SE of Somerford Bridge

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 3/60 Morgan D E M 1975 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

A suspected long barrow, situated 230m SE of Somerford Bridge, was reported on the 1st Oct 1973 by S. R. Williams. Scheduled 13th Jan 1975

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, 1981 SJ86SW8 (Index). SCH2487.

Assigned to an oblong clump of trees shown on OS 6inch map at SJ83036341

<3> Capstick B, 1981-1987, Field Monument Warden Report, Capstick B 1996/97 (Unpublished Report). SCH1222.

Bounded by a brook on NE & by marshy ground on surrounding sides. Slight berm on W side. At N end mound is 20m across & 2m high. It is c.100m long, tapering slightly to S end, where it is 18m wide. It is covered in oak trees. There is considerable disturbance caused by rabbits & cattle. C.24m from N end is a hole 1m in diam & 1m deep, on the spine. Mound is possibly a pillow mound

<4> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.71 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<5> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 13499 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<5> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13499 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

Neolithic long barrow - mound lies NW-SE & is situated on a small flood plain with Loach Brook to E & marshy ground to W. Survives as grassy tree-covered ewk c.110m long x 2m high x 20m wide at N end, tapering to c.18m at S end. Berm, c.9m wide on S & W & c.17-28m wide at N end, c.14m wide on E side. No evidence of flanking ditches

<6> Archaeological Services Durham University, 2010, Land off Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton Cheshire: Geophysical Surveys (Client Report). SCH5385.

Geomagnetic, earth electrical resistance and ground penetrating radar surveys were undertaken over a possible Neolithic Long Barrow on land to the south‐west of Holmes Chapel Road, near Congleton, Cheshire.

Although the presence of a possible stone revetment, and the probable man‐made nature of the mound are consistent with the interpretation of the mound as a long barrow, the geophysical evidence alone cannot conclusively state that the mound at Congleton is a Neolithic long barrow. The lack of indicative features, such as flanking ditches and chambers or voids within the mound itself, could suggest an alternative interpretation.

<7> Archaeological Services Durham University, 2010, Land off Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, Cheshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Client Report). SCH5430.

Further geophysical survey, evaluation trenching, and environmental sampling carried out on the site of the mound adjacent to the Loach Brook, south of the Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton. The mound has been identified as a Neolithic long barrow and is designated as a Scheduled Monument (SM 13499). The work was carried out under class consent as part of a programme of work required by English heritage in connection with proposals for housing development in the area.

The GPR data profiles support the interpretation that the mound material is different to the surrounding natural subsoils, at least in its stone content. The anomalously high resistance values of the mound material do not appear to structural. The radar transects support this interpretation; no reflections consistent with interpretations of structural features or voids were identified. A linear high resistance anomaly has been detected approximately Sm to the west of the mound, which is not likely to reflect a stone revetment or kerb. The previous phase of geomagnetic surveys detected tentative evidence for a possible stone kerb or revetment along the east edge of the mound, however, no data supporting possible stone revetments or kerbs has been detected in the present surveys. It is considered unlikely that a stone revetment or kerb is present on either side of the mound.

The linear high resistance anomaly detected on the west side of the mound is likely to be an area of drier ground, possibly associated with animal burrows and/or tree roots noted on the ground. At the west of the mound, a linear band of anomalously low resistance data has been detected. This has been detected over 5m from the mound and could reflect a soil-fi lled feature, such as a ditch. However, the anomaly has been detected in an area of lower ground between the berm surrounding the mound and the natural slope of the land to the west. In this depression the ground was noted as being wetter and boggy, which would account for this anomaly. All the GPR transects have detected reflections that would be consistent with a ditch feature in this area: an open drainage ditch containing a length of plastic pipe is present to the north of this anomaly. It is considered likely that the possible ditch
detected in the resistance survey and GPR data is likely to be a continuation of this modern drainage ditch.

The evidence from the trench evaluation is inconclusive as to the nature of the mounds formation. It is possible that it is of natural origin, being a pre-existing elongated sand ridge, and further materia l may have been deliberately built up. However, it is also possible that the mound is a glacial deposit. All other anomalies identified in the previous geophysical survey which were investigated as possible archaeological features were determined to have natura l origins. A few tiny fragments of 19th-century pottery were recovered.

No environmental material suitable for providing an absolute date was recovered during excavation or sample processing and assessment. The pollen assemblage is compatible with a prehistoric or more modern date. In short, there is no unambiguous evidence for a Neolithic date; a prehisto ric date is possible, but equally a much more recent date is also possible.

<8> CgMs Consulting, 2010, Sedimentological Investigation of the Land Located to the South of Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton, Cheshire (Client Report). SCH5431.

Hand auger survey across the Scheduled mound was carried out as part of a programme of evaluation work carried out on the site (geophysical survey, trial trenching, environmental sampling) under class consent in connnection with proposals for housing development in the area. The auger survey suggested that the mound may be largely natural (fluvioglacial) in origin.

<9> English Heritage, Descheduling notification (Written Communication). SCH1042.

Conclusions of report made by English Heritage:

An application to to deschedule List Entry No.1012417 Long Barrow 300m south-east of Somerford Bridge has been received precipitated by a significant volume of recent interpretations and non-invasive and invasive evaluations which call into doubt the Neolithic date and funerary function of the monument.

The long barrow 300m south-east of Somerford Bridge should be descheduled for the following principal reasons:

Potential: archaeological investigations of the mound and adjacent areas in 2010 suggests that it is a natural feature and as such it will not contain archaeological deposits considered likely to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric rituals, burial practices, construction techniques or population distributions.

Documentation: reports published after the archaeological investigations of 2010 uphold the opinion that the mound is unlikely to be of prehistoric origin

Rarity: as a result of the 2010 archaeological investigations and production of the subsequent reports the mound is not now considered to be a rare example of a long barrow in the north of England