| Title: |
Brownhills Common, Walsall: Archaeology Stage 1, Desk Based Assessment |
| Series: |
Birmingham Archaeology unpublished report series
|
| Number of Pages: |
15 |
| Downloads: |
|
| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
|
| DOI |
|
| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
|
| Abstract: |
A desk-based assessment was undertaken in response to proposals to quarry specialist clays from part of Brownhills Common. Brownhills had first been mentioned in the 18th century, having come into existence as a result of the expansion of coal mining. Romano-British activity may have occurred in the area, as evidenced by the proximity of Watling Street. Knaves Castle, which lay to the east, may have represented a Romano-British station. Although no evidence had been found to suggest a Romano-British presence at the proposal site, a potential existed for features of this date near to the major road, comprising either roadside settlements, or farmsteads set back from the road. The study area appeared to have been devoted solely to industrial use, principally mining, over the last several hundred years. The area had been heavily disturbed, and much of the earlier industrial archaeology may have been destroyed. However, it was noted that it had often been the case on industrial archaeological sites that earlier activity had been abandoned in situ and had remained buried beneath later spoil heaps. The single use of the site during recent times was considered to have enhanced its archaeological potential. In addition to this, a considerable documentation for the 19th century existed which could be tied to structures represented on maps, which could be available for excavation. The site had considerable potential for material relating to transport systems and their associated technology. A number of raised tracks formerly used by trams or trains were of great archaeological interest. It was possible that renewed quarrying at the site could reveal evidence of previous mining activity. During a walkover survey, it proved difficult to assess the importnce of the site as an industrial archaeological landscape because of tree cover. However, it was noted that spoil tips, tram or rail trackways, ponds and bell pit areas would all have a considerable visual impact if the tree cover was to be cleared. It was concluded that the industrial archaeological potential of the area was of considerable importance, as it was a rare surviving segment of a previously common industrial landscape, and as such was worthy of record, or of preservation if possible. Important archaeological areas to the west of the study area would be unaffected by quarrying, according to the current design plans. [AIP] |
| Author: |
Peter Ellis
|
| Publisher: |
Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit
Birmingham Archaeology
|
| Year of Publication: |
1997
|
| Locations: |
| Site: |
Brownhills Common, Walsall |
| County: |
West Midlands |
| District: |
Walsall |
| Parish: |
Null |
| Country: |
England |
| Location - Auto Detected: |
Brownhills Common Brownhills |
| Location - Auto Detected: |
Watling Street Knaves Castle |
|
Grid Reference: 403500, 306000 (Easting, Northing)
|
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
|
POST MEDIEVAL
(Historic England Periods)
|
COLLIERY
(Monus)
|
|
POST MEDIEVAL
(Historic England Periods)
|
RAILWAY
(Monus)
|
|
POST MEDIEVAL
(Historic England Periods)
|
TRAMWAY
(Monus)
|
| 19th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
| 18th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
|
| Identifiers: |
|
| Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
1997
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: BROWNHILLS COMMON, WALSALL
Study area:
Investigation type: Desk-based
District: Walsall UA
Monument: RAILWAY. Post-medieval (1540-1901), SPOIL TIP. Post-medieval (1540-1901), DRAINAGE DITCH. Modern (1901-present), COLLIERY. Post-medieval (1540-1901), POND. Post-medieval (1540-1901), SPOIL HEAP. Post-medieval (1540-1901), TRAMWAY. Post-medieval (1540-1901
Ngr: SK03500320
Parish:
Postcode:
|
| Source: |
|
| Relations: |
|
| Created Date: |
30 Aug 2017 |
