| Abstract: |
The main objective of the work was to investigate below current floor levels to determine the presence or otherwise of any sub-surface remains of significance, which may include burials and other features. Accordingly, it was proposed to excavate three test-pits, each 1 m wide and 1 m or 2m long, in positions determined by requirements for foundations, services or ground reduction and by the known or likely presence of surviving remains based on Ryder’s (1997) report and other documentation. The proposed positions of three test-pits were firstly located from plans provided by Knox McConnnell Architects, and set out by the site archaeologist. The excavations were carried out by hand, by a conservation building team led by David France, under continuous archaeological supervision. The recent overburden was removed in successive level spits down to the first significant archaeological remains, which was recorded before further excavation was carried out down to the next significant level, etc. All work was carried out in compliance with the codes of practice of the Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists (CIFA) and followed the CIFA Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Excavations as well as the document on Standards and Guidance for all Archaeological Work in County Durham and Darlington issued by DCC Archaeology Section. Accordingly, all excavations were closely monitored by a suitably trained and experienced archaeologist from The Archaeological Practice Ltd., with all recording and sampling procedures undertaken using the strategies set out in the Written Scheme of Investigation for the work. The results of test pitting concluded that no significant structural remains of medieval origin or earlier appeared to survive at the specified depths excavated. Test Pit 1, located in the crossing, was the only excavated area to contain stratified archaeological remains pre-dating the 1862- 65 re-ordering works. This however, was of no great age, taking the form of a probable Georgian brick-built sleeper wall and associated concrete surface. Test Pit 2, located at the west end of the central aisle, revealed details of the Victorian services/heating duct system. Test Pit 3, located north of the west door to the nave, revealed a redundant N-S aligned Victorian services duct, infilled with cement rubble, some of which contained smashed medieval sculpted stone with cusped decoration and small quantities of disarticulated bone. The test pits demonstrate that if any insitu medieval archaeological features survive within the specified areas, significant quantities of rubble infill associated with the 1862-65 re-ordering works would have to be removed, in excess of 0.45 m at the west end of the nave and 0.84 m at the crossing. This corroborates Pritchett’s account of the historic works, where depths were reached of over 4’ 6” in the crossing. There was however, no evidence for the thick layer of concrete mentioned in the 1862-65 re-ordering works within any of the test pits. No further archaeological mitigation work is required in association with this scheme up to the specified depths reached for each area of test pitting. However, given the variable nature and uncertainty of extent in the Victorian re-ordering works, the potential for significant archaeological remains to exist within parts of the nave must be considered a moderate possibility. It is recommended therefore, that any future developments in the nave or elsewhere in St. Cuthbert’s Church, should be considered on their own merits with respect to the need for archaeological intervention and ultimately deferred to the Durham Diocesan Archaeologist. |
