Series: Birmingham Archaeology unpublished report series

An archaeological watching brief was observed at 1 and 3 Morjon Drive and 42 and 44 Sundial Lane, Great Barr, West Midlands. The work was commissioned by Antler Homes, in fulfilment of a condition attached to planning consent for the development of twelve new houses and associated car parking areas. The site formed part of a field in 1886, and appears to have remained undeveloped since then, latterly as gardens to the rear of properties fronting Sundial Lane and Morjon Drive. Although all groundworks were monitored, no significant archaeological features, deposits or finds were observed.

Birmingham Archaeology was commissioned in July 2009 by the Development Planning Partnership on behalf of Zoë Manchester, to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment at 123-125 Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester (NGR SJ 8298 9782). The assessment comprised a search of the readily accessible documentary and historic cartographic sources and a site walkover including inspection and assessment of standing buildings. The development site lies close to the Roman fort of Mamucium and its associated vicus, although an excavation carried out in an adjacent area found no trace of Roman occupation, and it may be that it lies just outside the bounds of the settlement. Cartographic evidence shows that prior to industrialisation and the accompanying expansion of Manchester, the development site was part of a field system, and there is no other reason to suspect significant below-ground archaeological potential. The site is now occupied by two mid-19th century grade II listed buildings, nos.123 and 125 Liverpool Road, and also lies within the Castlefield Conservation Area. These designations bestow the buildings with a national significance, although this status is not shared by a 20th-century extension to the rear of No. 123 which is proposed for demolition. It is, indeed, suggested that demolition provides an opportunity to enhance the setting of the buildings and the character of the conservation area.

An archaeological investigation was carried out in March 2004 in advance of the construction of flats to the rear of 14-18 High Street, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham (centred on NGR SP 1215 9641). The work was undertaken by Birmingham Archaeology. The area excavated was to the rear of The Bank, 14-18 High Street; a 1900 Grade II listed building. Limited archaeological evidence for occupation in the medieval period was located during the investigations. The majority of the activity identified related to the 19th century, when the site was subject to a substantial raising of ground level associated with the construction of outbuildings to the rear of the High Street frontage.

A desk-based assessment and evaluation was carried out at 149-159 High Street Bordesley, Birmingham, for Pendragon PLC in advance of alterations and additions being carried out to the existing car showroom on the site. The study area is close to the centre of medieval Bordesley, and lies on the northeast side of High Street Bordesley, which has been the principal road leading east from Birmingham since the Middle Ages. Cartographic evidence shows that the study area has been built up since at least the mid-18th century. Three evaluation trenches were excavated one of which produced evidence of a substantial linear feature of possible medieval or early post-medieval date. A severely truncated clay and cobble filled gully, which was exposed in a trench adjacent to the High Street, might also have been of medieval or early post-medieval date. A deposit of hammerscale was also found in this trench and may be indicative of 17th and 18th century industrial activity in the vicinity. Evidence of 17th and 18th century brick structures, the function of which is at present uncertain, were found in all of the trenches.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in advance of a proposed residential development. A total of four trenches were investigated on the eastern side of South Street, which was originally laid out in the 12th century adjoining the market place. Trial trenching identified traces of buildings of 13th-14th century date adjoining the street frontage. The building remains included drystone walls, and less substantial buildings or outhouses represented by post holes and post pads. Traces of stone floors or yard surfaces of medieval date were also found. These medieval structural remains overlay possible levelling-up deposits. Later, brick strictures were recorded on the street frontage, overlying the earlier drystone walls. In the southeast of the area investigated, the clearance of a range of outbuildings had caused considerable sub-surface disturbance. There were also a number of modern services under the modern floor surface. [Au(abr)]

An archaeological evaluation was carried out in december 2003 by Birmingham Archaeology in advance of determination of an outline planning application to redevelop land at 170 High Street, Deritend, Birmingham City Centre. A desk-based assessment identified the site as being potentially of archaeological significance because of the possible survival of waterlogged deposits belonging to a former water course of the River Rea, together with other riverside industrial features such as osier pits, flax-retting or leather curing tanks dating from the medieval period onwards. Alluvial deposits in a former meander of the River Rea were identified. Flax capsule fragments and seeds were found.