Trial Trench at Evesham Abbey Restoration: Research Trenching

The evaluation comprised three trenches, all of which measured 10m x 2m. Trench 1, aligned NNE by SSW, was located where the northern wall of the cloisters are believed to butt against the southern wall of the abbey church nave. Trench 2 was located to the west of Trench 1 on a NW by SE orientation. On the upper terrace, Trench 3, was positioned on a WNW by ESE alignment below the extant northern boundary wall of the current site. All three trenches showed a similar upper stratigraphy comprised of modern deposits related to the allotments, overlying substantial levelling or landscaping deposits containing material associated with the abbey (worked/unworked stone and a high percentage of lime or degraded mortar inclusions). It is likely that these levelling deposits derive primarily from abbey demolition material, subsequently disturbed and moved around the site during the antiquarian excavations of the 19th century. Cuts associated with the abbey demolition were seen in Trenches 1 and 2, although it is likely that they relate to removal of walls and footings after the 19th century excavations. Structural archaeology related to the abbey was recorded in Trenches 1 and 3. In Trench 1 a stone drain matching the probable alignment of the northern wall of the cloisters was recorded, cut into a buried soil deposit. At the eastern end of Trench 3 a substantial wall was observed directly underlying the extant standing wall that forms the northern boundary of the site. This wall correlates with the position of the northern wall of the abbey church nave as recorded during the early 19th century excavations by Rudge. Furthermore, a terminus to this wall was seen on its western end, which aligns with a doorway, and putative processional walkway, shown on the Rudge plan. See work undertaken