Two
evaluation trenches were dug using a JCB. These were
situated on the western side of the proposed development area.
Both trenches were 1.5 metre in width. Trench 1 was 6.50 metres
long and Trench 2 was 5 metres long.
The ground at the north east section of the development area
had been heavily disturbed by the disused petrol and oil tanks
from the former petrol station.
An
area approximately 12 metres wide by 9 metres in length and
up to 4 metres deep was eventually lost in terms of any potential
archaeological assessment by the removal of the petrol tanks.
This
trench was situated on the north west corner of the site and
ran in a north-west by south-east direction. Context
1, a thin layer of modern tarmac and general rubble overlaid
a subsoil (Context 3) comprising of a friable mid grey brown
gravel-silt with occasional flecks and fragments of charcoal,
which was archaeologically sterile. This deposit, seemingly
natural, was thicker towards the eastern end of the trench
(approximately 0.90 metres) as the underlying horizon (Context
5) sloped away. Context 5 comprised of a mid- orange,
brown clay-silt with approximately 10% mixed gravels and occasional
charcoal flecks.
A
feature (Context 4, see left) was seen at the western end
of this trench and was set within the south section.
Further investigation was necessary to try and understand
the nature and alignment of this feature so the trench was
extended to the south. This feature consisted of worked
stone set fairly loosely within the ground which seemed to
be running in a north south direction.
There was evidence of lime mortar, suggesting that even though
the stones were loose they were at one time bonded together.
This feature was not seen in the north section of the trench,
whereas it was seen in the southern section. Even
though the trench was extended southwards the true length
of the feature was not determined.
The base of this feature was recorded as being at 185.52 OD
and the highest point at which it was visible was at 185.97
OD.
This
trench was situated directly south from trench 1, also on
the western side of the development area and was aligned along
a north-south axis. Modern rubble (Context 1) was much
thicker here, up to 0.3m thick, and overlay context 2, up
to 0.3 m thick, quite similar to (and merging with) context
3, yet darker and more humic. This layer was also archaeologically
sterile. Context 3, here fairly level and about 0.50m thick,
again overlay context 5.
Reporting
Unpublished
Report - Clunside Garages, Clun, Shropshire: an archaeological
evaluation - Huw Sherlock and Gwynfor Maurice, Archenfield
Archaeology 2003.
