Source/Archive record SCH6773 - Sea Bank, Middlewich, Cheshire: Report on an Archaeological Evaluation

In March 2012 Archaeological Research Services Ltd were commissioned by Mr Nick Barton to undertake an archaeological evaluation at Sea Bank, Middlewich, Cheshire in order to ascertain the archaeological potential of the site, in particular relating to the potential use of the area for salt production during the Roman and medieval periods. Evidence of Roman salt production has been discovered in the area to the north of the site, whilst medieval salt production is known from across the River Dane to the northwest. Three evaluation trenches were investigated, each measuring 1.6m in width and varying from 8.6m to 10m in length depending on depth and topography. This provided a representative sample across the site. Archaeological deposits were encountered in all three trenches, some of which were at such at depth as to prevent full investigation and recording for health and safety reasons. Trench 2 provided the most complex stratigraphic sequence on the site and showed evidence of a succession of low-energy inundations from the River Croco, interspersed with periods of stability and vegetative growth (the lack of the same sequence of flood inundations in Trenches 1 and 3 indicates that these lay outside the immediate flood-plain of the River Croco). Beneath these inundations, at a depth of 1.51m archaeological deposits in the form of a post hole, a possible stake hole, a linear ditch and a lozenge-shaped pit were uncovered. Two sherds of briquetage of potential Roman date were recovered from one of these features. The alluvial deposits were overlain by structural remains and demolition waste from housing known from Ordnance Survey mapping to have occupied the site in 1875, prior to its demolition before 1898. In Trench 1, at a depth of 1.42m archaeological deposits comprising a linear ditch, a curvilinear ditch and two pits were recovered. One feature produced a sherd of Roman pottery and a sherd of briquetage. The natural sub-stratum was encountered in Trench 3 at a depth of 2.1m. The depth of deposit may indicate a palaeochannel in this area of the development site. The only feature observed in this trench was a large pit [303] at a depth of 1.16m. This produced post-medieval-modern pottery. The presence of probable Roman period briquetage in Trenches 1 and 2 and the large volume of charcoal contained within some deposits appears to indicate that industrial production of salt was taking place at this site or in close proximity to it, perhaps during the 1st-2nd centuries AD. The density of cut features observed in Trenches 1 and 2 suggest that this activity was concentrated and sustained, although it is impossible to ascertain if permanent or seasonal activity is indicated. The picture obtained from the Sea Bank evaluation fits well with the previously observed archaeological picture from this part of Middlewich. It is clear that the deposits presently preserved below Sea Bank are of archaeological interest. However, due to the fact that the archaeological features are deeply buried, depending on the method employed during the proposed housing construction (i.e. piling as opposed to trenched walls) no further archaeological may be required by the CAPAS. If trenched walls are the preferred construction method then an archaeological watching brief may be required during construction. ©