Monument record 436/1/16 - King Street Roman Road - Wilderspool to Stretton section

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 1996, An Archaeological Evaluation at Pewterspear Green, Warrington, R2109 (Client Report). SCH4099.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in February 1996 at Pewterspear Green in advance of a housing development. The site lies immediately adjacent to the assumed line of Kings Street Roman road. Three linear trenches were excavated across the presumed line of the road resulting in the discovery of the gravel metalling of the road which survived in excellent condition approximately 200-300mm below the present turf line. However, the surface metalling is insubstantial, which coupled with its shallow depth, would make it particularly vulnerable in terms of development of the site.

<2> Gifford and Partners, 1998, Report on an Archaeological excavation at Pewterspear Green, Stretton, Warrington., R2126 (Client Report). SCH4085.

Following the trenches done in 1996 which located the metalled surface of Kings Street, an excavation was undertaken. The Roman road was revealed for 90m length. It was constructed of a base layer of pebbles and sand, a make-up layer of sand and a surface of sandstone blocks. An upper layer has probably been ploughed away. A drainage scoop was found along the west side, 6.0m wide by 0.12m deep, the upcast thrown into the thoroughfare to help form the agger. A thin buried soil was found and sampled for soil micromorphology and pollen. Several later features cut the road and one small feature, possibly a post hole, predated it. The road otherwise overlay undisturbed subsoil. The road is different in construction to King St to the north, but the same as that to the south. Documentary evidence suggests it forked just north of the study area.