6 Land Lane, Marston Green, Solihull: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

The archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken to investigate the potential of the archaeological resource and, where present, to characterise and date it. This will constitute archaeological preservation by record, thus mitigating the impact upon any potential below-ground archaeological remains. In particular, the archaeological investigation focused upon two specific sections of the Site, both of which were subject to proposed groundworks. The main area of focus for the archaeological strip, map and sample lay in the northern section of the Site, upon which will be built the infill detached dwelling (No. 6A Land Lane) to the rear of No. 6 Land Lane. A further area of focus lay in the southern section of the Site, which is to be developed as a hardstanding driveway. Deposits considered not to be significant were removed by a 360� tracked/wheeled mechanical excavator with a toothless ditching bucket, under close archaeological supervision. All possible features or deposits were inspected, and selected deposits were excavated by hand to retrieve artefactual material and environmental samples. Once completed all features were recorded. The archaeological strip, map and sample was associated with the erection of an infill detached dwelling to the rear of the house and within the northern section of the Site (Area 1), and the development of a hardstanding driveway in the southern section of the Site (Area 2). The investigation of the footings for the proposed new dwelling within Area 1 revealed a varied by archaeologically undistinguished stratigraphy beneath a concrete slab. The concrete slab is most likely contemporaneous with the secondary structure, possibly comprising a garage, noted within the northern section of the Site by 1939. A total of four layers were recorded during the archaeological strip, map and sample, as well as a brick boundary wall which is visible above ground along the northern boundary of the Site. Area 2 revealed only topsoil to a depth of 0.40m and is consistent with its location within the undeveloped garden of the property. The underlaying natural stratigraphy was not recorded in any of the four sample sections. Furthermore, no archaeological finds or features were present in either of the two areas of the archaeological strip, map and sample. The Site is judged to lie within lies the extent of the medieval settlement of Marston Green. Despite the specific aim of the archaeological investigation being to determine if any survival of the medieval village of Marston Green within the footprint of the proposed development, the investigation did not reveal any archaeological evidence for the medieval village, nor its possible Anglo-Saxon origins. The lack of any archaeological finds or features from the Site is consistent with the historic cartographic evidence, which revealed that the Site remained as undeveloped agricultural land until the early 20th century. The layers, concrete slab and brick wall within Area 1 are also consistent with the development of the Site for a shop at No. 6 Land Lane before 1939.