Images and Site Records from an Archaeological Evaluation and Strip, Map and Sample Excavation at Poverty Lane, Maghull, Sefton, Merseyside 2021

This collection comprises images and scanned site records from an archaeological evaluation and strip, map and sample excavation by Oxford Archaeology North at Poverty Lane, Maghull, Sefton, Merseyside. The fieldwork was undertaken from July to September 2021, in advance of a proposed residential development of the site.
The intended programme of works was to see the excavation of 23 trial trenches and two small strip, map and sample areas. One of the intended SMS areas, Area A intended to investigate the location of a former farmhouse, could not be excavated due to the presence of services. Ultimately, an additional five evaluation trenches were excavated in order to test the extent and character of potential features, together with an additional larger area (SMS Area C). This expanded scope of work identified a number of discrete features towards the south of the site, which ultimately were proven to be of low significance, potentially representing a phase of tree planting, perhaps to provide an orchard or else associated with region wide activity designed to arrest sand inundation and dune formation.
Elsewhere a range of field boundaries were also identified and found to be postMedieval or modern in origin and relatable to early historic mapping of the area. The potential for industrial activity relating to the postMedieval period was also identified in the form of several large and deep clay extraction pits, which would seem to corroborate the assertion, based upon cartographic evidence and place names, of brick manufacturing activity in the local area. However, the potential for the presence of an actual kiln was not recognized.