ENN110213 - 18 High Street, 2014 (Observation)

{1} Archaeological observation undertaken during the development of land for housing. The monitoring programme was divided into three phases: Phase 1 covered ground reduction across the entire site; Phase 2 covered alterations to the course of an existing spring line; and, Phase 3 covered all other intrusive groundworks, including the excavation of a trench for the disposal of organic matter, footings trenches and a soakaway in Plot 1. The accumulated evidence demonstrates that site was subject to episodes of flooding in the past; alluvial deposits were encountered at a depth of approximately 0.55m below the present ground level. These deposits had been removed from the eastern side of the site and a terrace built up, possibly to form a wharf on the western side of the canal. The upper layer of the terrace contained frequent fragments of unburnt coal, probably associated with the site’s former use as a coal yard. The terrace was retained on its western side by a wall constructed from unmortared limestone and sandstone blocks. A possible pit, of 19th century date, and an undated linear feature were also encountered. The linear feature, which lay below the alluvial deposits, may represent a palaeochannel.