Land West of Lea Road, Preston, Lancashire: Archaeological Evaluation

The geophysical magnetometer survey was conducted across an area of approximately 10. 3 ha comprising the Site Ownership Boundary. The survey was carried out using CFA's Sensys Magneto� MXPDA magnetometer survey system, used to detect ferromagnetic objects. The non-magnetic modular system was conveyed via push-cart, which recorded data through a configuration of five vertical-difference fluxgate gradiometer probes which measure a range of �10, 000 nT or �8, 000 nT. Twenty 50m by 1. 8m trenches were excavated across the development site. The trenches were positioned to target anomalies identified during geophysical survey of the Site and to test a sample of the 'blank' areas. A tracked 360-degree mechanical excavator fitted with a wide toothless ditching bucket was used to remove topsoil and subsequent material in spits of no more than 0. 2m. All machine excavation was directed by CFA's on-site supervisor and was carried out under constant archaeological supervision. A detailed magnetic magnetometer survey was successfully undertaken across the defined survey area. The site was surveyed with a hand-pushed cart carrying the Sensys MXPDA 5 probe fluxgate gradiometer attached with a RTK DGPS to geo-reference each datapoint. No anomalies of a clear archaeological origin were identified. Anomalies of an agricultural origin were present in the form of former field boundaries, ridge and furrow cultivation and drainage systems. Several anomalies of an undetermined origin were identified. Modern interference was present in the form of magnetic disturbance from fences and roads. The trial trenching revealed four isolated pits and six linear features across the site. All of the linear features uncovered, along with two of the pits may relate to agricultural activity or bioturbation. The date and function of the remaining two isolated pits is uncertain. The trial trenching also revealed evidence of post-medieval agricultural activity in the form of furrows and field drains across each of the areas. ____________________ The historic evidence found in archival materials, historical mapping, Census Returns, and trade directories (Section 4. 2) indicate two malt kilns were present and in operation from pre-1818 to 1882, though maps retained the name 'Malt Kiln' in 1893 (Section 4. 2. 6, fig 2. 3). The area contained a settlement in the early 18th century, as suggested by the 1712 datestone at neighbouring 'Yew Tree Lodge'. Census Returns and trade do not affiliate the Site with a maltster after 1882, the following families at the dwellings listed with occupations outside of the malting industry. Malting technology rapidly changed in after 1880 (Section 4. 1) therefore the buildings may have been redundant from this point on. Further indicating the redundance of the malt kilns, the 1911 OS map renamed the site 'Danes Pad' (denoting the farm name) and no longer shows the large building assumed to be the Southern Malting Kiln. During archaeological trial trenching evaluation (McNicol 2025), a 0. 10m by 0. 10m fragment of a perforated floor tile characteristic of those used in malting kilns (Patrick 2004) was recovered from the topsoil at Trench 7. The find was approximately 75m to the west of the former location of the presumed Southern Malting Kiln, and therefore it is likely that the floor tile fragment was deposited following the demolition of that building. Alternatively, the tile may have been removed from Building A when it was converted to agricultural use. A spread of demotion rubble comprising brick fragments, roofing slate and window glass was identified below the topsoil in Trench 8, which lay to the east of Trench 7. This material is also likely to have come from the demolition of nearby buildings, and appeared to have been spread over the nearby field to consolidate marshy ground.