| Abstract: |
An archaeological desk-based assessment was undertaken in advance of the proposed construction of 89 residential units, two food and drink units, one business unit and one retail unit, with associated parking and amenities. The development would also include a new bridge across Wareham Stream, a footbridge across Castle Mill Stream, new public footpaths and public open space. An extensive examination of archaeological, historical and cartographic sources indicated that historically, the site was within an area of Oxford that was developed early in the medieval period. This was reflected in the designation of the area of archaeological importance in which the site was situated. Along with this, the close proximity of the site to the castle, and its location between Wareham and Castle Mill Streams, highlighted the archaeological potential of the site. In particular the site had a potential to reveal evidence of structures associated with the convergence of Wareham and Castle Mill Streams, and for built structures along Paradise Street, including the Swan Brewery and houses. Given the site's topography, it was suggested that developments earlier than the late 19th century would have tended to build up, rather than truncate, existing surfaces, enhancing the chance of survival of earlier deposits. Prior archaeological investigations in the area had indicated that this area may have preserved waterlogged deposits. The Lion Brewery evaluation to the north of the site indicated that a prior watercourse may have flowed through the site, possibly in a course adjacent to the current Wareham Stream. The evaluation on the eastern side of Paradise Street indicated that the uppermost levels of the archaeological deposits associated with watercourse features lay at a depth of 1.15m and 1.35m below ground level, approximately the level of the proposal site. The survival of wattle revetments indicated ideal conditions for preservation of waterlogged organic deposits. This could then be extrapolated to suggest that due to the limited disturbance of the proposal site along the watercourses, such conditions may also be present within the site. Cartographic sources indicated that the site had been developed, at least in part, since the 17th century, with the construction of what may have been a malthouse, later associated with the Swan Brewery. There was a possibility of a single building having been present on the site prior to this date. Early development along the Paradise Street frontage was extensive and, unlike the excavations on the eastern side of the street, sub-surface evidence of these buildings may have survived. The remainder of the site, in particular the western portion, remained relatively undeveloped prior to the 20th century. Cartographic evidence suggested that there may have been an earthwork of some description within this portion of the site. This may have been a redoubt, or a post-medieval enclosure. Evidence for this earthwork may have also survived below the surface. This report determined that the proposed site had the potential to contain subsurface archaeological deposits, in particular structures and waterlogged features. As the exact development details were not yet known it was concluded that an archaeological evaluation is required to assess more fully the presence/absence and nature of archaeological remains. [Au(adp)] |
