Monument record 1080/7 - Roman deposits - King Street Field 3552 (Fairclough Homes Site)

<1> Gifford and Partners, 1995, Archaeological Desk Based Assessment of Field Numbers 3552 and 4334 Between King Street and the River Croco, Middlewich, Cheshire., R2105 (Client Report). SCH4181.

Archaeological desk-based assessment of land between King Street and the River Croco, Middlewich (identified as Ordnance Survey Field numbers 3552 and 4332). The features of archaeological interest with the assessment area comprise Romano-British settlement and industrial activity (salt and iron-working) already identified through limited excavation.

<2> Gifford and Partners, 1999, Report on Archaeological Investigations at King Street, Middlewich, Cheshire, R2450 (Client Report). SCH4415.

Continuing a programme of archaeological evaluation initiated in 1993 in advance of the development of residential housing in Harbutt's Field and the west side of King's Street, Middlewich, further evaluation work was undertaken in 1998-9 and included a watching brief for the laying of a sewer in OS Field 3352/3, to the south of the Roman fort (1080/1/0) identified through the 1993 work. Roman stratigraphy was recorded including clay floors with water-worn pebble inclusions (one also containing fragments of amphora, roof tile and a chimney pot), sub-rectangular pits, an oval-shaped cut feature measuring 1.6m by 1m and a possible hearth/oven. This activity was dated by ceramics to AD 220-350.

<3> Gifford and Partners, 2000, Field 3552, Adjacent To King Street, Middlewich, Cheshire: Results Of Archaeological Investigation Works, R2325 (Client Report). SCH4163.

A series of archaeological evaluations and watching briefs undertaken between 1998 to 2000 by Gifford and Partners. The results of this work demonstrate that an area of Roman archaeology survives along the eastern side of field 3552 whilst the western side of the field has little or no archaeological deposits. Along the eastern side of the field deposits indicate a straightforward stratigraphy of 2-3 phases dating from the early second to late third/fourth century date. The earliest phase consists of pits and post holes cut into the natural subsoil. The middle phase is the main Roman deposit and dates to the 2nd century and consists of clay floors and, significantly, an east-west aligned road heading for the River Croco. The latest phase consists of curvilinear wall slots of late 3rd/4th century date.
(Note: This report re-summarises results of a watching brief of a sewer pipeline undertaken in 1998, see source 2, SCH 4415.)

<4> Cheshire County Council, 1993-2008, Cheshire Archaeology News, Issue 9 2002 (Newsletter). SCH4366.

Excavation of this site in 2001 revealed a plank-lined well, wicker-lined pits and waterlogged deposits, probably associated with salt production. A well preserved section of Roman road was excavated running towards the River Croco. It had side ditches and had been resurfaced several times with layers of rammed gravel. Finds included local and imported pottery, wooden objects including a clay writing tablet, and briquetage associated with salt production. Metal detecting took place alongside excavations and found coins, brooches, iron objects, keys and a fine bronze vessel lid.