27 Castle Hill, Lancaster, Archaeological Watching Brief

In 2003 Norman Jackson Contractors submitted proposals for the redevelopment of the site formerly occupied by 27 Castle Hill, Lancaster (NGR SD 474 617). An archaeological evaluation by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) in 2003 identified that significant archaeological stratigraphy was preserved on the site. Together with the remains of post-medieval habitation, this included a putative rampart, within which was incorporated second-century refuse, and which may have been associated with the poorly understood eastern rampart of Lancaster’s rebuilt second-century fort. Accordingly, Lancashire County Archaeological Service (LCAS), the county council’s body responsible for advising on heritage matters, requested that a programme of archaeological mitigation should be undertaken as a condition of any planning permission for the development of the site. Subsequently, OA North was commissioned by Norman Jackson Contractors to undertake a watching brief during negative groundworks in November 2006.