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Archaeology in Worcester
2000/01 - Historic Suburbs
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 (Aerial survey by MAPS 1999™) |
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Archaeological Sites in Worcester's Historic Suburbs, 2000/01 - Click on a site marker or highlighted area to see the report. |
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A study of the history of the Infirmary, Castle Street (WCM 100788, David Whitehead) was commissioned by Worcester City Council prior to the decommissioning of the late 18th century and later buildings. The site is due for redevelopment and an archaeological study will also be required. Location plan The former Red Lion, Sidbury was covered by a watching brief during alterations and preparation for new buildings (WCM 100854, MNA). This has emerged as one of the very few buildings in Worcester's medieval suburbs to have survived the destruction of the Civil War. While the Tything and Lowesmoor suburbs are though to have been completely demolished, Sidbury was enclosed by an earthwork defence linking the City Walls to Fort Royal. The street frontage building seems to have been a range of three (or perhaps four) single bay shops of the late 16th century. A separate range to the rear may have been of a similar date. The only below ground works were three test pits, which revealed medieval occupation deposits and a 13th or 14th century pit. Location plan A rapid evaluation and watching brief exercise at St Martins Gate (WCM 100749, BUFAU), on behalf of Inchcape Ltd, recorded several features during redevelopment of a garage, indicating that this area was within the Roman town. Although archaeological deposits had been totally removed over much of this site when petrol tanks had been built, in other parts of the site preservation was good. Surprisingly there were few medieval features. Location plan In response to a proposal for a major extension to the city centre retail area on the south side of Lowesmoor (the Lowesmoor Trading Estate), a desk-based assessment of the former Hill, Evans Vinegar Works and surrounding areas was commissioned by the prospective developers, CR Chelverton (WCM 100783, Asi). This highlighted the importance of the remains of the vinegar, porcelain and other industries in this area, and it has been possible to trace the main phases of development of the site plan through the 19th century. The site is probably crossed by the Roman road from Worcester to Droitwich, and it also includes parts of the medieval Silver Street and Lowesmoor suburban areas. Location plan Another large development on the east side of the city is the Shrub Hill Retail Park. A desk-based assessment and field evaluation were carried out on behalf of St Modwen Developments Ltd, covering an area extending from Pheasant Street to Shrub Hill (WCM 100718, 100821, Worcs CC). These indicated a number of areas of archaeological significance, including valley deposits relating to the former Frog Brook, the Grainger porcelain works, the mid 19th century city burial ground at Tallow Hill, and the remains of low-status housing of the same date. The few remaining standing buildings of 19th century date in the area, including the Beehive Inn and the former St Martins School, were recorded before demolition (WCM 100792). A small area of land on the E side of Pheasant Street was identified as part of the 19th century Grainger porcelain works; it did not contain structures, but seems rather to have been used for dumping waste material. This included fragments of inkwells and a possible ceramic battery, made in Grainger's 'Chemical porcelain' and dating probably from the 1850s, bone china wasters from the mid and later 19th century, kiln furniture, several sherds dated to the period 1800-15, and a single sherd which can be dated to the period before 1805. The early material is very important in that it confirms the probable location of the first Grainger factory, destroyed by fire in 1809, while the presence of unglazed wasters establishes that ceramics were actually made on site at that time, rather than just decorated there. Most of the significant remains, including those of the Grainger site and the burial ground, are to be preserved in situ below car parks and roads. Sample areas of the housing at Hill Street and Cromwell Street were excavated (WCM 100869) and it is hoped that study of the remains, combined with documentary research, will throw valuable light on the lives of Worcester's poorest citizens in the middle years of the 19th century. Location plan A desk-based assessment of a proposed development site at St George's Church, Sansome Place (WCM 100786, Worcs CC) indicated a rich potential for archaeological remains in the W part of the Lowesmoor suburb. Location plan St Johns - A number of desk-based assessments have concentrated on the centre and southern end of St John's, relating to the proposed redevelopment of the sports centre for a Sainsbury's store (WCM 100618, 100782, 100814, LAS). Remains which could be affected by the development include parts of the medieval suburb, a possible early enclosure site, and Swanpool Walk, which may follow the alignment of a Roman road. A further study of St John's Green by Pat Hughes threw new light on part of St John's which had hitherto been poorly understood. Location plan Two evaluations in the floodplain produced limited results. The large-scale dumping which has occurred here over the last 150 years has made it very difficult to reach the earlier floodplain deposits. At Tybridge St (WCM 100743, BUFAU), evaluation on behalf of AXA Equity and Law revealed alluvial layers, but no archaeological features. At the former Fruit and vegetable market in Hylton Road (WCM 100784, Worcs CC), evaluation on behalf of Safeway Stores plc recorded alluvium and hillwash. Although there were no deposits datable to before the 20th century, a single flint and one sherd of Roman pottery were recovered from the alluvium. Location plan |
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