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This collection comprises reports, images, spreadsheets, GIS files and site records from trial trenching at Ryknield Street, Fradley and Streethay, Whittington, Lichfield, Staffordshire, conducted by Connect Archaeology from January to July 2020.
Archaeological trial trenching was carried out by Connect Archaeology at WP29B Ryknield Street in three phases between the 20th January and 7th July 2020. A total of 84 trenches were excavated over multiple phases. The main aim of the trial trenching was to determine, as far as was reasonably possible, the presence, nature, date, extent, survival and significance of the archaeological resource within the evaluation area primarily in relation to previously identified GWSI:HERDS research objectives, established prior to the commencement of the enabling works, so that a suitable mitigation strategy could be put in place to reduce or offset any adverse effects arising from proposed ground disturbance.
The following specific objectives were outlined in the Generic Written Scheme of Investigation:
The evaluation has confirmed that the majority of the evaluation area investigated during this phase of work was devoid of features of archaeological significance apart from the Romano-British archaeological remains dating to the 1st to early 2nd century AD in an area around Trenches 11, 17, 170 and 170, the pit cluster in Trench 139 and the post-medieval parish boundary ditch. The likelihood of finding Romano-British remains within the evaluation area was high given the proximity to Roman landscape at Streethay (ES ref WHA315), with the features representing small scale domestic activity and pottery production. The pit/posthole cluster remains undated but its location to the south of cropmarks within the evaluation area at Fulfen Wood (ES: ref WHA377), which could represent late Bronze Age activity, may tenuously suggest they date to this period.
The material from Trench 170 is clearly the remains from Flavian to Trajanic pottery production. Perrin’s (2011, 41) research strategy 2 states:’ Knowledge and understanding of the centres where the pottery was produced are fundamental to the study of Roman pottery’ There is evidence of Roman pottery production at Curborough, Lichfield and a late 2nd century kiln at Shenstone (Leary 2008) so this would add useful information about the nature of pottery production in Roman South Staffordshire.