Data from Trial Trenching at Middleton, Warwickshire, 2017-2023 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., AOC Archaeology Group, Connect Archaeology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.5284/1122123. How to cite using this DOI
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This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 5619
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1122123
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises reports, images, spreadsheets, and GIS files from a trial trench evaluation carried out by Connect Archaeology at Middleton, Staffordshire in June 2017.
Project Summary
Archaeological trial trenching was undertaken by Connect Archaeology at Middleton, Staffordshire in June 2017. A total of eight trenches were excavated during the archaeological evaluation. These were required to help identify the location, extent, survival and significance of known and potential heritage assets in the area of early works at Marl Pit and Coppice Lane Cuttings.
The objective of the investigation was to gain information about the archaeological resource in order to support an assessment of its character, extent, knowledge value and ability to contribute to Specific Objectives.
The aims of the trial trenching were to:
- Locate, characterise and record any remains relating to the potential archaeological features identified from cropmarks and geophysical survey within the site;
- Assess the extent and nature of archaeological remains within the survey boundaries; characterise the nature of any archaeological remains within the survey boundaries;
- Assess the significance of any archaeological remains within the survey boundaries;
- Assess the change to the significance of the identified heritage assets as a result of the detailed design;
- Suggest measures, if appropriate and feasible, for further archaeological investigation to mitigate identified significant impacts;
- and contribute to the delivery of GWSI: HERDS Specific Objectives.
The specific objectives of the trial trenching were:
- Identifying settlement location and developing models for settlement patterns for the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Early Bronze Age; does a lack of visibility of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments reflect genuine area distinctiveness, or is this due to variation in geology or investigative techniques?
- What is the evidence for pre-Iron Age phases of enclosure at the margins of the Trent Valley, and to what extent were Iron Age and Romano British Field systems and settlement influenced by earlier structuring of the landscape?
- Can we identify regional patterns in the form and location of Late Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements across the route, and are there associated differences in landscape organisation and enclosure?
- Identify the location and form of Early and Middle Saxon settlement and investigate evidence for land use in the period.
Re-Use Value Statement
No archaeological features, other than field drains and plough marks, were present indicating the Site has low potential for the presence of sub-surface archaeological remains. Given the historic use of the Site for arable cultivation, it is likely that any archaeological remains have been adversely affected by this activity; should they have been present to begin with. There is no potential for further archaeological works at this Site. There are no results of consequence which contribute to the wider historical context of the Middleton area. Due to the lack of archaeological features present at this Site there will be no recommendation for formal publication of the results from this Site.
