Series: Cramp Sutherland Archaeological Services unpublished report series

This report details the historical context, working methods and results of an archaeological evaluation undertaken in July 2013 by Cramp Sutherland Archaeological Services in advance of a proposed residential development on vacant land between 19-21 Cobden Street, Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. A single machine excavated trench targeted the below-ground remains of an end-terrace brick cottage, built by a freehold land society in the mid-19th century and demolished in the 1970s. Structural evidence, encountered at relatively shallow depths, denoted room divisions, a cellar, an out-building in the back yard and the outside privy. The artefact assemblage was unrepresentative of a domestic household and could not be used to assess economic and social activities. The pottery was mostly mid-19th century factory production waste and small finds were almost entirely absent.

An archaeological watching brief undertaken at Statfold Farm in 2012 during groundworks associated with a single wind turbine development. Despite the site's close proximity to a deserted medieval village, nothing of archaeological significance was found.

Cramp Sutherland Archaeological Services conducted an archaeological watching brief in February 2013 during the excavation of geotechnical trial pits and ground reduction in advance of a residential development on vacant land in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent. Between at least 1832 and the mid 20th century the site was occupied by housing. Historical map evidence suggested that these were not simple workers' houses, but rather middle-class residences. The trial pits exposed the walls of several cellars, most of which were lined with glazed ceramic tiles. Some material evidence in the form of decorated floor tiles was uncovered, implying that some of the dwellings may have been of better quality than others on the site.

An archaeological watching brief in order to monitor groundworks during the development of a residential site was undertaken in June 2012. The site originally formed part of a farmstead known as Downfieldside, extant by 1805, and occupied by a single dwelling. By the mid 20th-century the site was occupied by Bullers Ltd, manufacturers of electrical porcelain fittings, and the farm house was known as 'Lodge House', perhaps indicating its use by Bullers. The watching brief revealed a brick built cellar, part of the farm house, which stood until at least 1950.

Cramp Sutherland Archaeological Services conducted an archaeological watching brief during the excavation of foundation trenches for a residential development on land adjacent to number 668 Lightwood Road, Lightwood, Stoke-on-Trent (NGR SJ 92497 41151). The development was in an area of potential archaeological interest due to its proximity to the site of an AD 3rd-century Roman coin hoard. Monitoring of the groundworks was carried out in April 2013, but no archaeology was observed. The natural clay subsoil was encountered at very shallow depths.