What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the archaeological significance of the site through a watching brief during construction activities.

April 18, 2026Open Access

Watching Brief at 12 Castle Street, Wallingford

Key Points

To assess the archaeological significance of the site through a watching brief during construction activities.
Conducted a watching brief during site investigations and excavations.
Excavated foundation trenches and an external soakaway.
Documented observed features and layers of ground throughout the process.
Identified late post-medieval features, including a brick culvert and a well or cistern.
Encountered modern services and thick made ground layers.
No earlier historical remains were found despite proximity to Wallingford's historic core.

Abstract

A detailed watching brief was maintained during preliminary site investigations, and the excavation of all foundation trenches and an external soakaway. Only late post-medieval features (a brick culvert and a former well or cistern) and modern services were found, along with thick layers of made ground of broadly the same date. Some of these - especially in the back garden - might have been fills within an area of backland rubbish disposal. No earlier remains were encountered despite the site's location close to the heart of Wallingford's historic core.

Watching Brief at 12 Castle Street, Wallingford

Key Points

Abstract

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