Archaeological Services University of Durham unpublished report series

A watching brief took place on the site of an extension to Church Lodge. The site lay within an Iron Age structure at Stanwick. The evaluation of the proposed development site unearthed more of the defences and it was ascertained that the ramparts were a multiphase structure which appeared to underlie Church Lodge. [Au (adp)]

An archaeological evaluation, comprising site reconnaissance, geophysical survey and trial trenching, was undertaken in advance of proposed development. A pattern of geophysical anomalies was revealed, which were consistent with the remains of part of the Roman vicus at Bowes. Trial trenching confirmed the presence of archaeological deposits of Roman date, including pottery and amphorae, animal bone, enclosures, a road, and timber structures. Unstratified medieval ceramics were also recovered, and ridge and furrow was present as earthworks within the field. The development proposal would entail cutting into the top of the slope, and using the spoil to level up the bottom part of the field in order to create a flat base for a football pitch. This would truncate or remove significant archaeological deposits. It was recommended that the area to be disturbed be subject to a full programme of archaeological excavation in advance of the development. The flat field required of the football pitches may alternatively be obtained by importing soil into the area, rather than cutting into the slope. The remains would subsequently be preserved under the football pitch, and damage to the deposits and the need for excavation would be minimised. [Au(abr)]