| Abstract: |
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in August and September 2016 at Lowbrook Farm, Lowbrook Lane, Tidbury Green, Solihull (centred on NGR SP 097 760). It was commissioned by CgMs Consulting, whose client intends to develop the site for residential purposes and for which a planning application has been consented. Forty-eight trenches of varying length targeted geophysical anomalies (thought to represent the remains of former agriculture) along with apparently blank areas, as well as to test the potential for earlier remains around a partially extant farm complex. They were specifically focused in areas planned to be subject to disturbance during the proposed development. Across the trenches only a few archaeological remains were observed and most indicate that this site occupies an area of land previously used for mostly rural agricultural activity, with little indication of direct settlement, due to the lack of features and the relative absence of cultural material remains from any period. The post-medieval and later artefacts, found in the upper deposits across the trenches, are likely to relate to this agriculture. There was, however, a group of undated pits, as well as a small gully and a few postholes. Those within Trenches 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 26, 29 and 35 contained evidence of burnt remains in the form of heat-cracked stones and charcoal. They were identified in a cluster on the western edge of the plateau forming the eastern half of the site, along with a small number of features to the southwest. It is considered possible that they represent a dispersed spread of prehistoric activity, although the overall nature of this is difficult to determine. A small number of features were also recorded within Trenches 2, 6, 8, 38 and 41. These were rather ill-defined and sterile, and were of indeterminate date and function. |
