Project List 2010

Eldon Square Redevelopment, Archaeological Evaluation and Mitigation Works, January 2010 (for CSC Eldon Square Ltd.) This document reports on the archaeological evaluation and mitigation phases of archaeological work carried out during the redevelopment of the Eldon Square Retail Complex in 2007-9. A series of 13 archaeological evaluation trenches were excavated between late July and late November 2007. The first phase of work was informed by previous phases of documentary work carried out in 2003-2004.

On the basis of the information recovered from the excavations, including analyses of pottery, environmental samples and radiocarbon dating evidence, a scenario is suggested for the development of the site. In the early medieval period environmental evidence suggests that it was a relatively open area, partially comprising wetland. A former Roman road running through this area is likely to have become worn and rutted, and may even have cut into the original ground surface by this time, its parallel drainage ditches silted up. The area was occupied and settled sometime in the early medieval period. It became used for various light industrial processes, some of them rather noxious and unsanitary, associated with nearby housing. The wetland area or drain – perhaps the course of the former Roman road and its side ditches - which later became part of a wide medieval street, became filled with industrial and domestic refuse; this, in turn, was built upon, eventually, perhaps in the 13th century, becoming a permanent street frontage built in stone. Contemporary or later cellaring removed the early medieval midden material from inside the street frontage, and later phases of rebuilding from ground level incorporated fragments of later masonry and brick in rebuilt portions of house wall.

The main conclusions of the work carried at Eldon Square between July and November 2007 led to a recommendation for a further phase of mitigation work to monitor the continuing development work. Few additional remains of significance were recorded during this phase.

Pleasington Cemetery, Pleasington, Lancashire, Archaeological Assessment, January 2010 (for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council) This report constitutes a desk based cultural heritage assessment for the proposed extension of Pleasington Cemetery near Blackburn, Lancashire. The assessment was carried out in two phases, first (in December 2007) examining an area to the north and east of the current cemetery site, later (in 2009) examining an area south-west of the current cemetery site.
The conclusions based on the analysis of data derived from desk-based research and limited fieldwork do not support recommendations for further evaluation of the eastern area site by fieldwork, but do tend to support a recommendation for evaluation by archaeological excavation in the area of the proposed western extension.

39 Roman Way, Corbridge, Archaeological Watching Brief, February 2010 (for Mr and Mrs Norton)  An archaeological watching brief was carried out in January 2010 on a plot of land to the rear of 39 Roman Way Corbridge, close to the recorded position of a medieval church site and Roman burials associated with the nearby fort. The excavation of foundation trenches for a new extension revealed disturbed topsoil containing modern services but no finds or features demonstrating the survival of archaeologically significant remains.

Zion Chapel, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, Archaeological Watching Brief, February 2010 (for Mr Stephen Davidson) A photographic record and associated background research was carried out in relation to The Zion Chapel at Sheriff Hill, Gateshead. This was undertaken as a mitigation exercise in December 2008 in advance of the redevelopment of the building for residential use.

Unfortunately conversion works to the main body of the chapel were virtually complete by the time the watching brief was carried out. The roof structure having been replaced and all old wall surfaces concealed; the recommended recording of any remains of cornices, and of the roof structure (and preparation of a drawn section) thus could not be carried out.

Former Showroom Site, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment, February 2010 (for Mr Ahmed) An assessment was undertaken as part of a planning application for the proposed redevelopment of a Former Showroom Site on Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Investigation of the site reveals that there is no direct evidence for human activity within or close to the bounds of the current area of investigation before the Roman period, when Hadrian’s Wall, a frontier complex of international importance, was built along what is now the West Road.

The potential for archaeological remains on the site is reasonably high, since it is likely that the course of Hadrian’s Wall runs across of directly adjacent to the site. Furthermore, since the proposed development site does not appear to have been subject to intensive land use, the potential for survival of traces of this monument also appears reasonably high.

Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Watching Brief, March 2010 (For CE Electric) Between October 2009 and January 2010, the Archaeological Practice was instructed to carry out an archaeological watching brief on and immediately adjacent to Westgate Road Newcastle upon Tyne (NZ 221647-NZ 223646). The work was requested in order to mitigate the potential impact of cable installation works by CE Electric upon surviving archaeological remains in particular Hadrian’s Wall. No archaeological remains were observed.

Toffee Factory, Lower Steenberg’s Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment and Building Recording, March 2010 (for Xsite Architecture) A desk based cultural heritage assessment for the proposed re-development of the Maynard’s Toffee Factory site in the Ouseburn valley, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Analysis of the available information for the historical development of the site has identified no specific constraints on development as a result of known activity there from the prehistoric through to post-medieval periods, although some level of activity throughout that long time period can be assumed. The site important from a cultural heritage perspective principally because of its known history as an industrial centre from at least the 18th century to the mid-20th century.

It is considered that the buildings currently present on the site form an important assemblage of late industrial structures and features, but there is no reason to suggest that any of the standing buildings on the site or their remains underground are of more than local and regional significance, although the grouping of several classes of structure - including river walls, bridges, factories and a railway tunnel – enhances the significance of the site as a whole.

Parham Beck, Carlisle FAS, Archaeological Watching Brief, March 2010 (for Environment Agency) This report covers an archaeological watching brief undertaken during September and October 2009 to monitor the groundworks associated with the construction of a flood defence bund across the line of Hadrian’s Wall in Willow Holme Industrial Estate, NW of Carlisle centre.
No significant archaeological remains were observed along the course of the EL06 flood defence bund during the monitoring of the construction groundworks. Nor were any features of note identified in the photographs taken by the Environment Agency of the EL07 wall immediately to the east of the EL06 bund. In particular, no trace was recorded of Hadrian’s Wall or any of its associated features, such as the Vallum.

Willowholme, Carlisle FAS, Archaeological Watching Brief, March 2010 (for Environment Agency)

Waverley Viaduct and Stainton Embankments, Carlisle FAS, Archaeological Watching Brief, April 2010 (for Environment Agency) A programme of photographic recording and associated background research, covering a length of the embankment of the Waverley railway line at Stainton, on the north side of Carlisle, and stretches of the nearby flood defence embankment, has been undertaken as part of works associated with the Caldew and Carlisle City Flood Alleviation Scheme.

It involved the removal of three stretches of flood defence embankment, extending westwards along the River Eden from Etterby around the south side of Stainton, and also required theremoval of a section of disused railway embankment immediately to the north of the associated Grade II listed Waverley Viaduct, south-east of Stainton.

Neptune Yard, Low Walker, Phase 2a, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment, April 2010 (for Shepherd Offshore Ltd.) This report constitutes a desk based cultural heritage assessment for the proposed redemation of land at the former Neptune Yard, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The extent of later 19th and 20th century phases of construction and demolition on the site, including the creation of slipways and, subsequently, associated crane piers is likely to have had a negative impact on the survival of any earlier – post-medieval or earlier - archaeological remains. However, it is possible that some pockets of earlier remains remained relatively undisturbed due to the lack of deep foundations. Ballast dumping across the site may have protected earlier remains, but equally may contain flints, pottery and other material that could be mis-interpreted as of local origin. The occurrence of ballast also makes it difficult to locate the position of the original foreshore.

Church of St Lawrence, Warkworth, Archaeological Excavation and Historic Buildings Record, Spring 2010 (for St. Lawrence’s PCC) A programme of archaeological investigation and recording was carried out at St Lawrence Church, Warkworth, prior to and during groundworks and structural works undertaken to provide structural support to the leaning, Romanesque north wall of the church, which is an unusually complete Norman survival of considerable architectural and historical importance. The archaeological investigation reported here was carried out in five main phases beginning in July 2008 and ending in March 2010.

Foundry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Evaluation, May 2010 (for Brackenshaw Ltd.) This document reports on archaeological evaluation trenching conducted in March 2010 in Kelly’s Yard, within the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne. Kelly’s Yard lies close to the suspected line of Hadrian’s Wall Archaeological assessments covering Kelly’s yard and the adjoining former Stephen Easten’s Yard have found that although the precise route taken by Hadrian’s Wall across the Ouseburn Valley remains to be established, the curtain wall and ditch are most likely to have run through the former Stephen Easten’s Yard, just north of Kelly’s Yard.

One trench, rectangular in plan and aligned parallel to the yard frontage was excavated. The trench revealed evidence of considerable disturbance as a result of modern industrial activity. No evidence for the preservation of any Roman features associated with Hadrian’s Wall was revealed. It is recommended that the construction groundworks associated with any development proposed for the area of Kelly’s Yard should be monitored by means of an archaeological watching brief, in particular, to ensure any remains of 19th-century industrial activity are recorded, for example the pottery building which may lie in the area to the north of the evaluation trench.

St Mary’s, Lindisfarne, Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief, May 2010 (for St Mary’s PCC) This document reports on a process of an archaeological evaluation and watching brief conducted during September 2009 at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Holy Island, Northumberland (NGR: NZ 1257 4177). The church is a Grade I listed structure, dating to the 12th and 13th centuries with 18th- and 19th-century additions and alterations, and appears to incorporate structural elements belonging to an earlier medieval church.

It is recommended that the possible existence of a medieval building on the west side of the churchyard should be noted if any future intervention is required in that area, so that any remains may be fully recorded and the question of the structure’s existence and form definitively resolved.

Steel Rigg, Hadrian’s Wall, Archaeological Topographical Survey, May 2010 (for NNPA) This document provides a report on archaeological topographical survey work carried out on the north side of Hadrian’s Wall at Steel Rigg, Northumberland. The topographical survey reported here was requested by the Northumberland National Park Archaeologist in order to provide information pertinent to the management of the site.

Melkridge Farm, Northumberland, Historic Buildings Record, May 2010 (for Mr Cummins) A photographic record was carried out in relation to farmbuildings at Melkridge Farm, Melkridge Northumberland in April 2010. The work was undertaken as a mitigation exercise in advance of the proposed redevelopment of part of the farmbuildings complex.

Ormesby Beck, Middlesbrough, Archaeological Watching Brief, May 2010 (for The Environment Agency) In March 2010, the Archaeological Practice was instructed to carry out an archaeological watching brief alongside a section of Ormesby Beck, south of Middlesbrough town centre (NZ 509184). The work was requested by the County Archaeologist in order to mitigate the potential impact of site investigation works carried out as part of flood prevention measures, upon surviving archaeological remains.

Rose Cottage, Crawcrook, Archaeological Watching Brief, June 2010 (for Mrs Cooper) An archaeological watching brief was carried out during April and May, 2010 on a plot of land adjacent to Rose Cottage, Bank Top, Crawcrook, Gateshead, within the presumed extent of the medieval village of Crawcrook.
The excavation in advance of the construction of a three storey dwelling revealed no finds or features demonstrating the survival of archaeologically significant remains.

7 Trinity Terrace, Corbridge, Archaeological Watching Brief, June 2010
(for Mr Farrer)
An archaeological watching brief was carried out in early June 2010 in the backyard of 7 Trinity Terrace, Corbridge, during groundworks in advance of a construction of an extension to the property.

The site is located on the recorded position of a medieval church and further records indicate that burials associated with the cemetery of the nearby Roman fort also extend into this area which lies on the north-western periphery of the medieval and modern village centre. No archaeological remains or features were observed.

90-92 Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Watching Brief, June 2010 (for Mr Mohammed) An archaeological watching brief was carried out during February 2010 on a site to the rear of 92 Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne. The watching brief was requested because the development lies within the Hadrian’s Wall corridor on the approximate projected line of the curtain wall.
The excavation in advance of the construction of a two storey extension revealed no finds or features demonstrating the survival of archaeologically significant remains.

110-112 Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Watching Brief, June 2010 (for Mr Kumar) An archaeological watching brief was carried out during February 2010 on a site to the rear of 110-112 Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. The watching brief was requested because the development lies within the Hadrian’s Wall corridor on the approximate projected line of the curtain wall.
The excavation in advance of the construction of a two storey extension revealed no finds or features demonstrating the survival of archaeologically significant remains.

Frankham Farm, Fourstones, Northumberland, Historic Building Recording, July 2010 (for Butler Haig Associates) A photographic and measured survey record was carried out in relation to farmbuildings at Frankham Farm, Fourstones, Northumberland in July 2010. The work was undertaken as a mitigation exercise in advance of the proposed redevelopment of part of the farmbuildings complex.

Harton Staithes, South Shields, Archaeological Watching Brief, July 2010 (for Miller Construction Ltd.) An archaeological watching brief was carried out during July 2010 on a site at Harton Staithes, to the south-west of South Shields town centre, Tyne and Wear. The watching brief was requested due to the position of the site on the likely area of a Roman port and within the presumed medieval town of South Shields.
It was concluded that the excavations had no impact upon significant cultural heritage remains within the site.

St. Andrew’s Church, Hartburn, Northumberland, Archaeological Watching Brief, July 2010 (for NEDL/St. Andrew’s PCC) An archaeological watching brief was carried out in July 2010 on a site to the west of the cemetery of  St Andrew’s Church, Hartburn, Northumberland. The watching brief was requested because the development lies adjacent to a church of pre-Conquest origin, within the associated medieval and later village of Hartburn.
It is concluded, that the excavations had no impact upon significant cultural heritage remains within the site.

Mizen Head Hotel, Bamburgh, Northumberland, Archaeological Watching Brief, July 2010 (for Country and Coastal Homes Group) In September 2009, the Archaeological Practice was instructed to carry out an archaeological watching brief on land at the Mizen Head Hotel, Bamburgh, Northumberland (NY 1775 3470). The work was requested in order to mitigate the potential impact of the construction of an extension to the hotel and a manager’s house, and the provision of new dwellings to the rear (Cheviot View).  The watching brief was considered necessary because of the close proximity of the hotel to an area of significant archaeological remains identified during geophysics work by the Bamburgh Research Project. No significant archaeological remains were found.

23 Beverley Terrace, Walbottle, Archaeological Evaluation Excavation, July 2010 (for Mr Robson) This document reports on an archaeological evaluation trench excavated on 21st  July 2010 at 23, Beverley Terrace, Walbottle, on the west side of Newcastle upon Tyne.
It is concluded that no archaeological remains of significance were encountered during the excavation of an evaluation trench at 23, Beverley Terrace, Walbottle, although it is possible that the stony surface encountered at c0.80m below the modern ground level was laid on the surface of the Hadrian’s Wall berm.

Joicey Road School, Air Raid Shelter, Gateshead, August 2010 (for Brims Construction Ltd.) A photographic record and associated background research was carried out in relation to the Air Raid Shelter at Joicey Road Open Air School, Low Fell Gateshead. This was undertaken in August 2010 to further inform the planning process with regard to the future use of the site.
The school was recorded as part of an earlier scheme in August 2009 and is a late but well-preserved example of an open-air school.

The Heaney Building, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, August 2010 (for 1NG)
A photographic record was carried out in relation to parts of a structure known as the Heaney Building, in the Ouseburn district of Newcastle upon Tyne in July 2010. The work was undertaken as a mitigation exercise in advance of the proposed demolition of the building and redevelopment of the site as part of a wider initiative in the lower Ousburn valley.

Eastbanks Bothy, Gallowshieldrigg, Northumberland, Archaeological Watching Brief, August 2010 (for Mr. Mitchell) An archaeological watching brief was carried out in August, as part of attempts to mitigate the impact of excavations required to convert and extend an existing agricultural building to form self-catering visitor accommodation, including construction of associated access and infrastructure.
The excavation of the internal space revealed a mix of irregular cobbles deposited to make up a rough surface. Outside the building the excavation of the foundation trenches for the extension revealed a flagged floor and remains of a byre, but no finds or features demonstrating the survival of archaeologically significant remains, nor were any traces of earlier occupation observed.

Land adjacent to Mizen Head Hotel, Bamburgh, Northumberland, Archaeological Watching Brief, August 2010 (for Country Homes and Estates)
A watching brief was requested in the field adjacent to the Mizen Head Hotel, Bamburgh where a previous archaeological watching brief had taken place due to the anomalies present on a geophysical survey of the area. No remains of archaeological significance were found.

Kenton Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Watching Brief, August 2010 (for Solehawk Ltd.) This report details the methods and results of a programme of archaeological monitoring during groundworks at Kenton Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, in advance of the construction of a three storey care home. Previously a programme of historic buildings recording at Kenton Hall, in July 2009 arose suspicions that an earlier phase of building survived behind the 19th century façade of the main block, facing onto Kenton Lane..
This report provides the results of a watching brief undertaken during groundworks in February and March 2010. No significant archaeological remains were recorded.

Maynard’s Toffee Factory, Lower Steenberg’s Yard, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, Evaluation, September 2010 (for 1NG)
This document reports on an archaeological evaluation excavation undertaken in June 2010 for the proposed re-development of the Maynard’s Toffee Factory site in the Ouseburn valley, Newcastle upon Tyne (NGR: NZ 2638 6422).

A total of five trenches were excavated to investigate the sites of buildings, including a corn mill and brickworks. The excavations revealed no remains of structures, features, deposits or artefacts predating the later 17th century, and although some of the remains exposed and recorded are of local interest, none are regarded as of high archaeological significance.

Cow Lane, Corbridge, Northumberland, October 2010 (for Mr Ashworth)
An archaeological watching brief was carried out September 13th 2010 on a plot of land, previously occupied by a garage, on Cow Lane, Corbridge during groundworks for the construction of a two storey cottage.
The excavation of four foundation trenches on the site of the former timber-built garage revealed no finds or features demonstrating the survival of archaeologically significant remains.