Archaeological Intervention at Webbs of Wychbold, Worcester Road, Droitwich

Two test pits, each 2.2m x 2m and one trench 10m long and 2m wide were excavated. Initial excavation of the trenches (removal of topsoil and subsoil) was carried out using a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless bucket and under archaeological supervision. Subsequent cleaning of the trench was undertaken by hand. Context recording was undertaken using context sheets and other pro-forma recording sheets and photographs were taken with a Nikon D3200 SLR camera. Plans and sections of trenches and features were drawn on permatrace at 1:10 and 1:50 scales. On completion of excavation, trenches were reinstated by replacing the excavated material. Following excavation all context sheets were checked and cross referenced. Made ground was present in both pits and the trench excavated across the site. In the trench this clearly derived from the Mercia Mudstone natural substrate and overlay a relict topsoil. Within the test pits, the made ground was similar to topsoil but included modern materials such as plastic and overlay the natural substrate directly, implying that the former ground surface in this area had been reduced prior to the importation of the material. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were uncovered.