Title: |
An Archaeological Evaluation at the Queen's Head Hotel, Morpeth, Northumberland |
Series: |
Archaeological Research Services unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
archaeol5-267955_1.pdf (3 MB)
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Download
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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: |
In October 2016 Archaeological Research Services Ltd was commissioned by Easteye Ltd to undertake an archaeological evaluation at the Queen's Head Hotel, Morpeth. The proposed development would involve the demolition of the existing buildings, while retaining the façade, and the erection of new five storey building incorporating a 43-bedroom hotel, a bar/restaurant, a tea room unit, a 400-person event hall, a spa, a covered car park and a servicing area. Within Trench 1, the sandstone foundations of the inner walls of two barn buildings, identified on historic maps from 1852, were encountered. In addition there was a shallow pit containing broken clay pipe stem which possibly dates from between 1580 and 1700. The fill of this pit is believed to be a discarded hearth deposit, and pre-dates the barns. Trench 2 was found to contain a sandstone-lined culverted drain running down its length with smaller off-shoot drains branching from it. A piece of pottery found within the culvert dates it to the mid-19th century. Additionally, the drain is represented on a plan of the site dating from 1852. Also within Trench 2 was a large midden pit with multiple fills. The upper fill of the pit produced bones of a red deer. It is possible that this pit relates to the earliest phase of the Queen's Head Hotel when it was occupied by the Pye family. Trench 3 was excavated within the covered walkway leading from Bridge Street in the north towards the back of the Queen's Head Hotel. The aim of the trench was to locate the original, medieval street frontage. However a number of services were encountered within the trench and made it unsafe to continue excavation. |
Author: |
P Cockburn
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Publisher: |
Archaeological Research Services
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Northumberland SMR (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2016
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Locations: |
Site: |
The Queen's Head, Bridge Street |
County: |
Northumberland |
District: |
Northumberland |
Parish: |
MORPETH |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 419869, 585912 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
archaeol5-267955 |
OBIB: |
2016/162 |
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Note: |
55 page PDF
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
22 Oct 2020 |