An Archaeological Field Evaluation at Land between 7 and 15 Cotton Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire

Two trenches, each measuring 8.25m by 2.5m were excavated. An identical sequence of deposits were identified in both trenches, consisting of modern surfaces and concrete layers directly overlying the undisturbed limestone. Trench 1 was excavated to a maximum depth of168.47m AOD, and Trench 2 to a maximum depth of 168.61m AOD. The aims of the investigations were: *To determine the extent, condition, character, importance and date of any archaeological remains present; *To provide information that will enable the remains to be placed within their local, regional, and national context and for an assessment of the significance of the archaeology of the proposal area to be made; *To provide information to inform the Development Control Archaeologist as to the requirement for further archaeological fieldwork as part of any mitigation strategy. In both trenches a deposit of cream-coloured cement mortar overlay a layer of concrete which consisted of a cement-based matrix with a high proportion (c.80%) of pebbled stone aggregate. In consultation with the Development Control Archaeologist, Derbyshire County Council, it was concluded that the trenches offered little archaeological potential and that the process of removing the concrete layer would destroy any surviving archaeological deposits. The exposed area of concrete remained unexcavated.