| Title: |
Smithfield Market Development, Birmingham: Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief |
| Series: |
Cotswold Archaeology unpublished report series
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| Downloads: |
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cotswold2-502856_182707.pdf (10 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: |
The evaluation comprised the excavation of three trenches:
• Trench 1 measured 11m in length by 2.2m in width and was aligned
approximately north-east/south-west. This sought to identify evidence of the
former stone structure recorded in 1975 and its relationship to the moat
platform and the edge of the moat. It also sought to identify the extent and
depth of the moat on its south-western side. The intention was to excavate
the trench between the foundation bases of the former market building, and
with that in mind its original position was very slightly amended to better align
with the space between concrete foundation bases and associated ring
beams.
• Trench 2 measured 25m in length by 2.2m in width and was aligned broadly
north/south. This sought to evaluate the potential survival of the former moat
platform within the western arm of the moat.
• Trench 3 measured 40m in length by 2.2m in width and was aligned broadly
north/south. This trench sought to understand the extent of the moat on its
south-western side and its relationship with the interior of the moat platform.
Two contingency trench options were also provided within the scope of the WSI, as
Trench 4 Option A and Trench 4 Option B. The intention, initially, was to open
Trenches 1 – 3 in order to define the depth, extent, state of preservation and date of
buried archaeological remains and then, if required, to excavate Trench 4 in either of
the two locations defined in the WSI to enhance the results of the excavation of those
trenches. Following consultation with the PCOBCC and the Client, the
implementation of this contingency was not required.
Each of the trenches exceeded 1m in depth in places, though not for their entire
lengths. The depth of each trench was initially established when the first
archaeological horizon or natural substrate was revealed (whichever was
encountered first). Where the trenches were excavated to depths greater than 1m
(and less where necessary) and safe access could not be guaranteed, recording of
archaeological remains took place from ‘trench-side’ only. The excavation
methodology was agreed on Site with the PCOBCC once the nature of the subsurface
deposits was confirmed.
The watching brief comprised the observation by a competent archaeologist of
intrusive groundworks. The monitored groundworks comprised the hand excavated
of a small (1m long by 0.5m wide) geotechnical test pit and the machine excavation
of footprint of a proposed lift (measuring 8m long by 6m wide). In December 2020 and January 2021 Cotswold Archaeology
carried out an archaeological evaluation at the former Wholesale
Market site, off Pershore Street in Birmingham. This was
undertaken as part of the Smithfield Market Development. Three
trenches were excavated, targeted on the site of the former
medieval manor house and associated structures, along with the
moat that surrounded these buildings. These remains represent
the focus of settlement in early Birmingham. A watching brief was
also undertaken during the excavation of a lift pit at the Site.
The evaluation demonstrated that structural elements of the
medieval moated manor survive substantially intact at no more
than 0.5m beneath the present concrete slab. Deposits of medieval
date were also identified at the base of the moat. This suggests
that in situ deposits, artefacts and palaeoenvironmental evidence
survive well, where not cut by groundworks in the 1970s.
Post-medieval to 19th century structural remains were recorded
within the former area of the moat platform, as well as to the
southern edge of the former moat and to its north. |
| Author: |
Mark Hewson
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| Publisher: |
Cotswold Archaeology
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| Year of Publication: |
2021
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| Locations: |
| County: |
West Midlands |
| District: |
Birmingham |
| Country: |
England |
| Parish: |
Birmingham, unparished area |
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Grid Reference: 407390, 286432 (Easting, Northing)
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
cotswold2-502856 |
| Report id: |
MK0351_1 |
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| Note: |
This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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| Source: |
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| Relations: |
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| Created Date: |
07 Jun 2022 |
