Archaeological Evaluation by Trial Trenching at Breck, Derbyshire. Interim Report - Phase I

This report describes the first phase in an ongoing programme of field evaluation on land at Breck, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The area is subject to an application for planning permission for open-cast coal extraction by Fitzwise Limited. Geophysical Surveys of Bradford undertook a detailed survey at a number of locations within the application area, and the trenching described in this report covered two of those areas. This Phase of trenching covered the line of the Roman Road known to be crossing the site, together with several features defined by the geophysical survey. Eight trenches were opened, two of which investigated the Roman Road. A circular anomaly to the east of the road was also examined. together with linear features and areas of disturbance within the vicinity of the road. The road was found to have two phases of construction, and the state of preservation of the road surface varied considerably along the length investigated. A large boundary ditch to the west of the road, which had been recut several times, was located and partially excavated. ZZPerhaps the most interesting feature was the large circular anomaly which appeared to be the remains of a cupola or bloomery furnace in which iron smelting had taken place. Ironstone outcrops were found in two of the trenches, and it is clear from the evidence of nearby mining activity that ironworking would have taken place in this landscape. No datable artefacts were recovered during this first phase of the evaluation, and consequently precise dating of the features encountered was not possible. The features located during the evaluation are not worthy of preservation in situ, and Jurther work can be limited to a watching brief during coal extraction.