354 Tamworth Road, Sawley: Report on Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation

The trial trench evaluation was carried out subsequent to the demolition of above-ground structures and the removal of any remaining concrete slab. All efforts were taken by the on-site contractors during this demolition phase to ensure that no underlying deposits of possible archaeological significance are disturbed. Two trenches were excavated, Trench 01 at the south of the Site and Trench at the northern end, targeting buildings shown on historic mapping and a photograph of c AD 1900. The trial trenches were located using survey-grade Leica GNSS. Trench locations were scanned with a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) prior to excavation. Overburden was removed by mechanical excavator using a toothless ditching bucket (c 1.80m wide), under continuous archaeological supervision, in spits of no more than 0.10m. The spoil generated during the trial trenching was mounded away from the edges of each trench. Mechanical excavation ceased at the top of archaeological deposits. The nature of these deposits was then assessed by hand excavation. Each trench was cleaned by hand as necessary to assist the identification and interpretation of exposed archaeological features. All exposed features were investigated and were half-sectioned; as a minimum, a 1m wide section of each linear feature was excavated by hand. Trenches were characterised by the full archaeological sequence down to undisturbed deposits. The trenches were recorded at a suitable appropriate scale (1:100, 1:50 or 1:20) by digital planning (where of resultant plans and illustrations are of a sufficient standard), measured drawing, and photography, and were located to the Ordnance Survey National Grid. The sections of excavated archaeological features were also recorded by measured drawing at an appropriate scale (normally 1:10). Spot heights and those of individual features were recorded relative to Ordnance Datum. A photographic record utilising high resolution digital data capture was maintained during the course of the fieldwork. he findings of the trial trenching were reviewed with Steve Baker, Derbyshire County Archaeologist via email. Upon completion of the trial trenching, excavated trenches were backfilled and loosely compacted. Trench 01, located at the south of the Site, revealed the cellar foundations of the properties that once fronted Tamworth Road, as recorded on historic mapping and a c AD 1900 photograph. Trench 02, located at the north of the Site, revealed the foundations of the buildings show on historic mapping. With the exception of the single sherd of medieval pottery, the assemblage was a typical post-medieval domestic assemblage and discard is recommended for all finds.