| Abstract: |
Allen Archaeology Limited was commissioned by Eurogarages to conduct an archaeological evaluation to support a planning application for the construction of a petrol station, drive through café, parking, new office park and other infrastructure work on land off Thieves lane, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. In the vicinity of the site evidence of prehistoric activity is recorded, including ring ditch cropmarks, a Late Bronze Age to Iron Age settlement and a potential Iron Age Banjo enclosure. There is no evidence for Roman activity close to site. The name Shrewsbury comes from the Saxon name 'Scrobbesbyrig' and the town was probably founded in the 8th century, but the current site lies well beyond the historic core of the settlement. Prior to the trial trenching, a geophysical survey was undertaken, and identified possible former field boundaries, potentially earlier linear boundaries and possible circular enclosures or ring ditches. Ten trenches were excavated, nine measuring 25m long and one measuring 50m long by 1.80m wide. Trench 1 revealed four aligned postholes, Trench 6 exposed a single pit and Trench 7 revealed a natural feature. Trenches 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 were devoid of archaeology, however geological variation was noted in several areas and corresponded to the anomalies seen in the geophysical survey. |
