Title: |
Archaeological borehole testing at Portland Walk, Diglis, Worcester |
Series: |
Worcestershire Archaeology unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
An archaeological borehole investigation was undertaken at Portland Walk, Diglis, Worcester (SO 84905402). It was undertaken on behalf of Severn Trent Water, who intend to construct a shaft storage tank, reconstruct the existing storm overflow chamber and construct a new sewer. The project aimed to sample and analyse an organic clay identified from previous boreholes in the vicinity. A single borehole was sunk using a percussive rig of U100 size to a depth of 8.65m at which level natural Keuper Marl was encountered. The stratigraphy of the deposits was recorded and the cores were retained for further analysis. Relatively modern deposits were recorded to a depth of 5m, below which was a metre thick layer of brick rubble, probably deposited in the early 19th century. Between this deposit and the natural marl, a series of organic clays were recovered. Sub samples were taken of these clays. It is unclear if they were of Roman or post-medieval date. Pollen and diatom analysis of nine sub samples was undertaken by Archaeological Research Services Ltd. Diatoms were almost non-existent possibly due to extreme acidity or extreme alkalinity in the depositional environment. Preservation of pollen varied throughout the site. This may be attributed to differential deposition and post deposition conditions across the site. Many of the grains were crumpled suggesting mechanical damage due to compaction and in general pollen preservation was poor. Pollen counts were indicative of a damp open environment with some drier ground nearby. Barley and dandelions represented evidence of human activity in the vicinity. |
Author: |
T Rogers
T M Vaughan
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Publisher: |
Worcestershire Archaeology
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Worcester City SMR and UAD (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2008
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Locations: |
Site: |
Portland Walk, Diglis, Worcester |
County: |
Worcestershire |
District: |
Worcester |
Parish: |
WORCESTER |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 384900, 254020 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
fieldsec1-63845 |
OBIB: |
Project 3098, Report 1565, WCM 101558 |
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Note: |
A4 report booklet
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
01 Feb 2018 |