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Archaeology in Worcester
1997/ 99 - Outer Worcester
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 (Aerial survey by MAPS 1999™) 
Archaeological Sites in Outer Worcester,
1997/1999 - Click on a site marker to see
the report. |
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A series of three earthwork dams in the Duck Brook valley,
south of Worcester, were identified from aerial photographs taken
in 1938; only one now survives as an earthwork. This was threatened
by development in 1997 but has now been preserved as public open
space. The interpretation of these features is uncertain, but they
are not far downstream from the Prior of Worcester's manor and fishponds
at Battenhall, and they may have been associated. The South Worcestershire
Archaeology Group have surveyed the earthwork and also assessed
the survival of ridge and furrow in the area. In Warndon, a watching brief by Worcestershire County Archaeological Service along the line of the new Parsonage Way (WCM 100160) recorded isolated features of probable prehistoric and Roman date. Most significant was the identification of an area of alluvial deposits, some 2m deep, close to Warndon Church, and possibly deposited during the Roman period. At Apex Site A, adjacent to the M5, a series of field boundaries was identified (WCM 100100). While these are probably medieval, some may have had Roman origins. An archaeological evaluation by Worcestershire County Archaeological Service, at land adjacent to Worcester Royal Infirmary, Newtown Road (WCM 100254), identified the remains of the late 18th and 19th century farm, known variously as New Town Farm or Newtown Grange, that formerly occupied the site, a marl pit of comparable date and cross-ploughing, presumed to date to World War II. A watching brief by James Dinn during the very extensive earthmoving which preceded the start of construction produced very few post-medieval finds and no features (WCM 100551). Worcester City Council's Archaeology Section evaluated part of a triple-ditched enclosure at Perdiswell in advance of the remodelling of the golf course (WCM 100174). The enclosure was first seen from the air as parchmarks in grass in 1975, and had been identified as a possible Roman fort. An interpretation of the aerial photographs by Mike Glyde allowed the location of the main enclosure and further features (including ditches defining trackways and fields) to be established. A trench was excavated to cross the three ditches near their south-western corner and extend into the interior of the enclosure. All three ditches were located in the trench. The two outer ditches were relatively slight, while the inner ditch (not bottomed) was about 7m wide and at least 1m deep. Some internal features were identified, including possible pits and postholes. No evidence of a contemporary ground surface was encountered, and deposits would appear to have been truncated by ploughing, or possibly during the construction of an airfield in the 1930s. The small pottery assemblage has been provisionally dated to the 2nd to 4th centuries AD. Several fragments of tegula were also recovered, indicating the probable presence of a substantial building within the enclosure. In October 1999, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Worcestershire County Archaeological Service at Droitwich Road (WCM 100587), on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, in advance of the construction of a replacement sports facility. The site lies close to areas of archaeological interest, including a Bronze Age barrow, a Romano-British enclosure and a medieval/post-medieval settlement at Perdiswell Hall. A low level of Roman and medieval activity was represented by two residual pottery sherds. Evidence for post-medieval agricultural and horticultural activity took the form of a ploughsoil containing artefacts of 17th to 20th century date. A late 19th to 20th century backfilled gravel quarry was also found, as were the remains of several 20th century agricultural buildings. A single pit may be of prehistoric to medieval date. Following a desk-based assessment and a field evaluation (WCM 100094), a watching brief (WCM 100196) was carried out by Worcestershire County Archaeological Service during development at Manor Farm, Lower Wick, on behalf of Whitbread Severn Inns. Although occupation at Lower Wick is known to date back to the 12th century, no evidence of medieval or earlier activity was recovered. Traces of post-medieval buildings and associated surfaces were recorded, and there was further evidence for extensive landscaping. A watching brief was carried out by Worcesters hire County Archaeological Service at Lower Wick Sewage Works (WCM 100463, 100464, 100546) on behalf of Severn Trent Water, during borehole and test pitting site investigation works and excavation for an aeration tank. The recorded archaeological deposits contained artefacts no earlier than the 19th century. These probably derived from dumping prior to the construction of the sewage works in the early 20th century and alterations in the 1960s. Given the nature of the groundworks, it was not possible to determine whether any prehistoric deposits, including environmental, survive within the alluvium and river gravels.
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