Coalbournhill Glassworks, Amblecote, Dudley MBC. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Evaluation

An archaeological desk-based assessment and evaluation were undertaken for the Ruskin Mill Educational Trust at the Glassworks College, Amblecote, Stourbridge, centred on NGR SO 8968 8547. The assessment comprised a search of the readily accessible documentary and historic cartographic sources and a site walkover. The evaluation was carried out to determine the character, extent, date, state of preservation and the potential significance of any buried remains, specifically the former glasscone and ancillary structures towards the east of the site. The work was carried out in support of an application for funding to restructure the College site. The desk-based assessment identified three zones of archaeological survival within the development site. Zone 1, which occupies the northwest corner of the site is the location of the former Coalbournbrook glassworks, which was established in the late 17th century, and which continued to produce glass until 1785. Zone 2, which forms the northeast corner of the site contains the historic core of the Coalbournhill glassworks, another late 17th-century enterprise that continued into the later 19th century. The desk-based assessment indicated high potential for the survival of below-ground archaeological remains pertaining to the glassworks in both these zones. In contrast, Zone 3, which makes up the southern portion of the site, and which was also occupied by the Coalbournhill glassworks, was not developed as early as the other two zones, becoming the focus of glass production only in the 20th century. Consequently, its main interest lies in the grade II listed Harlestones House, the residence of the glassworks owner. The excavation of evaluation trenches in Zone 2 was undertaken to confirm the location of one of the Coalbournhill works glasscones that had been suggested by the documentary sources. The main evaluation trench, which was 23m in length by 1m wide, extended right across the cone so that both sides were revealed, thereby allowing the diameter to be calculated at in excess of 17m. Two further trenches extending north from the main trench were 7.5m and 5m long respectively. Generally, the remains were found to be in a very good state of preservation, which included the outer wall foundations, the floor surface within the cone and the firing tunnels beneath it.

本研究为斯托布里奇安姆科特玻璃厂学院的拉斯金米尔教育信托基金完成了案头考古评估（desk-based assessment）与考古勘探评估，工作区域以英国国家网格参考（National Grid Reference，NGR）SO 8968 8547为核心范围。本次评估包含两部分内容：一是对可获取的文献史料与历史测绘资料进行系统检索，二是开展现场踏查。本次勘探评估旨在明确场地内各类埋藏遗存的特征、分布范围、年代、保存状态及潜在价值，重点关注场地东侧的原有玻璃熔窑（glasscone）及附属建筑。本次工作旨在为学院场地改造升级的资助申请提供考古学支撑。

案头考古评估在开发场地内划定了三处考古遗存保存区。1号遗存区位于场地西北角，为始建于17世纪末期的科恩伯恩布鲁克玻璃厂旧址，该厂持续生产玻璃直至1785年。2号遗存区地处场地东北角，包含科恩伯恩希尔玻璃厂的历史核心区域，该厂同样始建于17世纪末期，生产活动一直延续至19世纪末期。案头评估结果显示，上述两处遗存区均存在较高的地下考古遗存保存潜力。

与之形成对比的3号遗存区位于场地南部，同样曾为科恩伯恩希尔玻璃厂用地，但其开发时间晚于前两处区域，直至20世纪才成为玻璃生产的核心区域。该区域的主要考古价值集中于二级保护名录建筑（grade II listed）哈尔斯顿庄园——原玻璃厂业主的宅邸。

研究人员针对2号遗存区开挖勘探探沟，以确认文献史料中提及的一处科恩伯恩希尔玻璃厂熔窑的具体位置。主探沟长23米、宽1米，横穿整个熔窑区域，揭露了熔窑两侧的结构，由此测算出熔窑直径超过17米。另外两条从主探沟向北延伸的探沟长度分别为7.5米与5米。总体而言，本次发掘发现的遗存保存状况极佳，包含外墙基础、熔窑内部地面以及其下方的烧制隧道。