| Title: |
Report on an Archaeological Excavation at Cocklakes, Near Carlisle, Cumbria (33/01) |
| Number of Pages: |
21 |
| Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
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| Publication Type: |
Report
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| Abstract: |
An archaeological excavation was undertaken across the proposed road diversion. The excavation clearly demonstrated that archaeological remains of a prehistoric nature were present throughout the study area. The total lack of any Romano-British features was unexpected, as several boundary ditches had been recorded during an earlier evaluation. The archaeology was not evenly distributed along the entire length of the proposed new road but was concentrated in three key areas. In the case of the large ditch observed in Trench 3, the complete absence of dating evidence made any attempts at dating difficult. Its size, shape and the evidence of a probable bank on it's south side were suggestive of a defensive feature such as an enclosure ditch, whilst a pre-modern date was considered likely, given the character of the silts filling it. Unfortunately no conclusive evidence was recovered on any structural activity within the enclosure, although the ard/plough marks on the northern side of the ditch and apparently respecting the feature perhaps suggested a prehistoric date for this activity. Moving deeper into the realms of speculation, the cottages and works buildings situated immediately north of the site occupied a low, but quite conspicuous, area of level, raised ground that the ditch, if projected northwards, would have enclosed on its eastern side. It was suggested that this feature could have represented the remains of an enclosure associated with an ancient settlement situated beneath the modern buildings. The archaeological remains recorded in Trench 5 produced evidence for the corner of a small sub-rectangular building associated with a boundary ditch and probable gateway. The area around this structure contained numerous pits and post holes, a number of which were filled with fire-cracked stone and charcoal. Although superficially the results from Trench 5 did not appear too important, similarities with the results from Trench 1 were obvious. It was tempting to view these sites as representing the remains of two prehistoric farmsteads. Perhaps the most interesting and most important archaeology recorded on the site was represented by the feature situated in Trench 1 at the northern end of the proposed access track. Although the precise nature and significance of the remains could not be determined, they appeared to represent at least two sub-rectangular buildings with associated cobble spreads and hearths. These features, when combined with the CKL B results, pointed to an area containing quite intensive domestic activity, typical of that associated with a small settlement of prehistoric date. This activity probably dated to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date, judging by the character of the features and the flint recovered. Radiocarbon dates from the charcoal and burnt stone pits recorded from both CKL B and C would be of crucial importance in obtaining a broad date range for this activity. [Au(adp)] |
| Author: |
Frank Giecco
John M Zant
N Wigfield
|
| Publisher: |
Carlisle Archaeology Ltd
|
| Year of Publication: |
2001
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| Subjects / Periods: |
| Early Bronze Age (Auto Detected Temporal) |
| Modern (Auto Detected Temporal) |
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LATE NEOLITHIC
(Historic England Periods)
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|
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PREHISTORIC
(Historic England Periods)
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| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
2001
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: COCKLAKES, NEAR CARLISLE
Study area:
Investigation type: Post-determination/Research
District: Carlisle
Monument: POST HOLE. Undated, PLOUGH MARKS. Undated, [finds]. Post-medieval (1540-1901), GULLY. Undated, BANK. Undated, BEAM SLOT. Undated, BOUNDARY DITCH. Undated, BUILDING. Undated, DITCH. Undated, FEATURE. Undated, PIT. Undated, [finds]. Prehistoric, HEARTH. Und
Ngr: NY45705177
Parish: Wetheral
Postcode: CA4 0AW
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| Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
| Created Date: |
19 Jan 2009 |
