Monument Type(s):

• TRACKWAY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

A short section of metalled surface was recorded during archaeological evaluation to the south of Little Ness Castle, just outside the putative southern bailey. It was interpreted as a trackway of medieval date.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA1333 - 1994 evaluation of land south of Little Ness motte by Earthworks Archaeological Services

Description

A short section of metalled surface was recorded during archaeological evaluation to the south of Little Ness Castle (PRN 01100), carried out by Earthworks Archaeology in 1994. ->

-> In the area of Trench 5, closest to the monument, features associated with the outer castle defences were anticipated. No ditch was observed but it may still lie a little to the north of Trench 5, outside the area evaluated. However, a pebbled surface, sealed by a layer of silt containing mediaeval pottery and a little building debris, was partially exposed. This surface may well date from the early mediaeval period but its exact alignment and function were not clear. Although the full width of the metalled surface was not revealed, it appeared to lie in a dip which might suggest a well-used trackway immediately outside the bailey. The trackway evidently fell out of use, perhaps by the fourteenth century, and silt accumulated naturally in the dip, together with a little discarded mediaeval occupation and building debris. On its south side, the surface and silt above were cut through and disturbed by the much later insertion of the field boundary evident in this location from the mid-nineteenth century. <1>

<01> Walker W S, 1994, An archaeological evaluation on land at Little Ness, Shropshire, Trench 5 (Archaeological fieldwork report). SSA4211.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.