Data copyright © Tim Cobbold unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Archaeological Research Services Ltd
Angel House
Portland Square
Bakewell
DE45 1HB
UK
Tel: 01629 814540
Archaeological Research Services Ltd.(ARS Ltd) was commissioned by Elmsdale Estates Ltd to carry out a multi-phase programme of archaeological works on land at Nos. 77-81 Sidney Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (NGR SK 35416 86575). The works included a strip, map and sample excavation, as well as evaluation trenching.
Previous work carried out by ARS Ltd on the site of the former Albert Works, next door to this site but within the current development area, revealed the well preserved remains of industrial buildings and associated structures (Parker 2016). The well-preserved nature of the Albert Works site suggested the likelihood of similar levels of preservation on the site covered in this report.
Excavations revealed the remains of workers housing, as well as structural elements of buildings which pre-date the construction of Sidney Street. Following consultation with South Yorkshire Archaeology Service it was agreed that targeted excavation of buildings, open areas and features was necessary to fully record the developing sequence of land-use and occupation of the site. Targeted excavations revealed the remains of cellars, paths, details of external and internal areas of use, as well as detail of successive drainage provision associated with workers housing. Stone built and brick built structures, relating to the earliest phases of industrial activity on the site, were also examined and the presence of buried subsoils, unusual in the urban context of Sheffield, was also confirmed.