Watching Brief at University of Worcester Severn campus, Worcester England, United Kingdom

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Worcestershire Archaeology (WA) at University of Worcester Severn Campus, Hylton Road, Worcester (NGR SO 84167 55039). The project was commissioned by The University of Worcester in advance of proposed infrastructure improvements and construction of a cricket centre. A planning application will be submitted to Worcester City Council. The results of these works closely correlate with those of previous archaeological investigations on and around the site. Although no dating of the earliest alluvial clays was possible, it is likely that these relate to one of the two palaeochannels identified in a 2013 borehole survey on the site of the Worcester Arena, which they closely resemble in colour and composition. he results of these works closely correlate with those of previous archaeological investigations on and around the site. Although no dating of the earliest alluvial clays was possible, it is likely that these relate to one of the two palaeochannels identified in a 2013 borehole survey on the site of the Worcester Arena, which they closely resemble in colour and composition. Modern structures and deposits at the site comprise the remains of foundations and service trenches relating to modern occupation of the site and its use as fruit and vegetable market, and surrounding industrial units and workshops. The made ground layers below and surrounding these features although much truncated, can be reasonably dated to the post-war period build-up of materials as also identified at Burrows House, directly to the north of this site. The methods adopted allow a high degree of confidence that the aims of the project have been achieved. Conditions were suitable to identify the presence or absence of archaeological features. It is considered that the nature, density and distribution of archaeological features provides an accurate characterisation of the development site as a whole.