Damfield Lane, Maghull, Merseyside. Archaeological Evaluation (OASIS ID: archaeol5-374396)

Archaeological Research Services Ltd. was commissioned by Elite Developments to undertake archaeological evaluation trenching on land south-west of Damfield Lane, Maghull, Merseyside. The work was undertaken in part fulfillment of conditioned planning permission for the construction of a residential development. The evaluations took place between 13th and 15th November 2019. Four trenches (T2, T5, T6, and T7) demonstrated a common stratigraphic sequence that was consistent across the site and contained no archaeological features or deposits. The geophysical survey showed two faint linear anomalies running north-south in the southern part of the site. This was targeted by Trench 5 but the anomalies were found to be a result of linear outcroppings of rock within the underlying natural substrate. Trench 2 was targeted over an anomaly that had been interpreted as a probable modern tip in the centre of the site but much of this refuse was found in the topsoil and on the surface. Trenches 1 and 3 both contained narrow linear bands of sandstone rubble running through them on an east-west alignment. They were first interpreted as possible land drains but investigation proved that they were naturally occurring within the sandstone strata, similar to the rocky ridges exposed in Trench 5. Trench 4 revealed a linear ditch with vertical edges and a flat base [404] which was found at the eastern end of the trench on a north-south alignment. The ditch was cut through the sandy subsoil (402) and was filled with sand and sandstone rubble (405). It is possible that the feature was constructed to serve as a land drain through the lowest part of the site, draining southwards towards the canal.