The Plough Inn, Hathersage, Derbyshire: Archaeological Watching Brief (OASIS ID: archaeol5-329757)

Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS) was commissioned by Elliot Emery to undertake an Archaeological Watching Brief at The Plough Inn, Hathersage, Derbyshire. Planning permission for the proposed development: (Application Ref. No. NP/DDD/1117/1180) has not yet been was granted for the development of the site. The programme of archaeological works comprised an archaeological watching brief during any ground disturbance and/or ground works associated with construction of the shepherd's huts, landscaping, septic tank and all drainage and service trenches. Apart from natural geological layers and modern deposits associated with the modern Plough Inn, only three archaeological features were encountered: One foundation for a drystone wall, one likely quarry pit for sand, and one probable pit with unclear function. Alternatively, but less likely, the probable pit could be interpreted as part of the tail-race associated with a 17th century lead smelting complex known to have been present on site. The two encountered pits are likely industrial in nature, and may in some way relate to (or be part of) this industrial complex. These two features went out of use and were backfilled at some time, probably in the 19th century or the early 20th century. The drystone wall which was interpreted as the property boundary of the Plough Inn may have been erected at roughly the same time. The disuse and subsequent backfilling of the two pits and the erection of the drystone boundary wall is likely evidence for landscaping and shaping of the grounds around the Plough Inn taking place in the late 19th or early 20th century, and which was later continued with the construction of the modern car park.