Monument record 4197 - Earthworks near Shavington House

Earthworks observed on site visit. Substantial oval depression in South-West corner of field, c 10 by 20m across and 4m deep. It appeared similar to the possible salt workings at Rope [CSMR 2773/0/1] However, the Tithe Apportionment refers to this as Big Love Kilns Field. The field also contained traces of Ridge and Furrow (1).

<1> Liverpool University Field Archaeology Unit, 2000, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of the Proposed A500 Basford-Hough-Shavington Bypass, 31 (Client Report). SCH4362.

<2> Northamptonshire Archaeology, 2001, A500 Basford-Hough-Shavington By-Pass: Archaeological Trial Trenching & Additional Archaeological Works at Crewe Road (Archaeological Site 30/31), Shavington, Cheshire (Client Report). SCH4241.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in 2001 comprising a geophysical and earthwork survey, followed by trial trenching, at Crewe Road (Site 30/31), Shavington. Four possible clamp kilns were recorded characterised by areas of burning and ashy spreads, in an area formerly known as Big Love Kiln Field. Further investigation failed to uncover conclusive evidence as to the exact nature of these areas of burnining. Although they were consistent with the remains of bonfires, the simplest form of clamp-kiln, very little of the kind of debris normally associated with kilns, such as half-fired bricks, clay dumps or chacoal, was recovered.