Source/Archive record SCH5405 - Cheshire sands Quarry, Delamere, Cheshire: Archaeological Evaluation and Auger Survey

During the archaeological evaluation at Cheshire Sands, ten trenches were excavated over two separate areas. The auger survey comprised a single auger in the eastern area of the site. The purpose of the evaluation and augering was to target known features within the area and to establish the nature and extent of any below ground archaeological remains relating to them. 7.1.2 A total of four trenches were devoid of any archaeological features or deposits and the remains of the former forest which covered the area were also exposed in four trenches. Archaeological activity was recorded in the remaining six trenches with four of these targeting the railway embankment and the remaining two sited to sample the projected line of the Roman road. All trenches were excavated down to the top of the natural subsoil. 7.1.3 Trench 3 located within the eastern area was sited to target the projected line of the Roman road. Within the extents of the trench there was no evidence for the existence of the road. The archaeological features observed within the trench comprised two pits, a possible linear and a deposit filling a natural depression. The exact function of the features is unclear though it is likely that they were associated with sand and gravel extraction for use in the marling of agricultural land. Although no artefactual material was recovered from the trench it is likely that these features date to the early 19th century when the land was deforested. 7.1.4 Trench 5 was sited to examine the embankment and hollow way cutting within the north field in the western area. The earliest feature encountered was a large ditch which contained a compacted fill, and it is likely that this comprised the original hollow way cutting which was later filled to support a roadway. The wheel ruts which cut into this deposit were well defined and appeared to have been backfilled perhaps to repair the road. A compact clay layer was apparent at either extent of the trench which has been interpreted as another road surface though there was no relationship between this and the wheel ruts. A later road surface overlay this clay surface in the north eastern part of the trench. No artefactual material was recovered from these features and deposits, though in form they do correspond to the remains encountered by in the 1971 excavations. CHESHIRE SANDS QUARRY, DELAMERE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION & AUGER SURVEY REPORT © NPA LTD NOV-2010 NPA 40 VERSION 1.1 FOR THE USE OF WARDELL ARMSTRONG LLP & TARMAC LIMITED - 31 - 7.1.5 Also in Trench 5 the remains of the bedding for the railway was encountered at the top of the bank which comprised a hard gravel layer; a small sherd of stoneware dates this deposit to between the 18th and 19th centuries. 7.1.6 Trench 7 was located across the railway embankment in the south field. Two pits were exposed beneath the bank in the field and although the exact nature of these was uncertain it is clear that they were both of a modern date. There was evidence for recent disturbance of the bank in this area which appears to have been reinstated following this. 7.1.7 Trench 8 was located in order to sample the projected line of the Roman road. No features or deposits relating to this were encountered within the trench. Two linear cuts were exposed which appeared to be relatively modern in date being cut from high up in the section. Their origin is uncertain but it is supposed that they would relate to the agricultural use of the area. 7.1.8 Trench 9 was situated to cross the former railway embankment. Two possible wheel ruts were exposed beneath the embankment make up. These were separated by a compacted road surface and although their relationship is unclear. A thick soil deposit overlay them and they were then covered by a buried soil layer. Although no artefactual material was recovered from the trench the form of the features was similar to those within Trench 5. 7.1.9 The railway embankment was heavily disturbed in this area and examination of its make up was not possible. 7.1.10 Trench 10 was also sited to examine the railway embankment in the southernmost part of the site. A linear ditch exposed in the trench was interpreted as the remains of a roadway as it had possible wheel ruts in the base and was filled with a compacted deposit into which was cut a further wheel rut. The other side of this roadway to the south east was disturbed by the former foresting in the area and so was unclear. No artefactual material was recovered from the trench though the form of the roadways and wheel ruts corresponds to those encountered within Trenches 5 and 9. 7.1.11 The railway embankment in this trench was disturbed by trees planted upon the bank and therefore was unable to be examined in detail.