The Archaeology of the M6 Toll 2000-2003

by Powell, Andrew B.; Crockett, A. d.; Fitzpatrick, A. P.; Booth, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780954597016
• ISBN10: 095459701X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-05-01
• Publisher: David Brown Book Co

Summary

In late 2000, during one of the wettest winters on record, Oxford Wessex Archaeology were commissioned by the construction consortium CAMBBA, on behalf of Midland Expressway Limited, to carry out the archaeological works associated with the construction of the new 44km M6 Toll motorway. The main phase of work was carried out during 2001, and by 2003 all investigations were complete, revealing 41 separate sites. Remains includied Mesolithic flint scatters, isolated Neolithic pits and hollows, Bronze Age burnt mounds and Iron Age settlement enclosures. The Romano-British period was dominated by settlement and burials concentrated around Wall (Letocetum), Ryknield Street and Watling Street, whilst the Anglo-Saxons were notable by their absence from the results. Evidence for medieval settlement and agriculture was recorded at many sites, and in particular a Knights Templar fishpond complex at Wishaw. More recent standing structures were also recorded, including the northern dam for Hatherton Reservoir, Churchbridge Railway and Accommodation bridges and sections through the Cannock Extension and Wyrley and Essington Canals, vital elements of the post-medieval industrial heritage of the region.

Table of Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Introduction

Sites to the North-West of Wall

Cropmarks at Saredon (Site 26)

Hawkins Canal Basin and Aqueduct (Site 1)

Hatherton Reservoir (Site 2)

Gilpin's Basin and Wharf (Site 3)

Churchbridge Complex (Site 4)

Washbrook Lane, Norton Canes (Site 5)

Swan Farm, Norton Canes (Site 36)

Cannock Extension Canal (Site 6)

Watling Street, Hammerwich (Site 41)

Wyrley and Essington Canal (Site 8)

West of Crane Brook Cottage, Hammerwich (Site 34)

Sites Around Wall and Shenston

West of Crane Brook, Wall (Site 9)

Ryknield Street, Wall (Site 12)

Shenstone Linear Features (Site 13)

Shenstone Ring Ditch (Site 14)

East of Birmingham Road Nurseries

East of The Castle, Shenstone (Site 32)

Round Wood, Shenstone (Site 33)

Sites Along Collet's Brook and Langley Brook

Collet's Brook Burnt mound (Site 40)

North of Langley Mill (Site 29)

Langley Mill (Site 30)

Langley Brook (Site 39)

Sites at Wishaw

Wishaw Hall Farm (Site 19)

Wishaw (Site 20)

Sites at the South-Western End of the Route

Curdworth Top Lock (Site 21)

Hawkeswell Farm, Coleshill (Site 24)

Syntheses

Environmental and material culture Studies

Prehistoric discussion

Romano-British period discussion

Medieval period discussion

Post-medieval period discuss

The M6 Toll: closing remarks

Bibliography

Index

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