Wilton Service Reservoir, Egremont, Cumbria - Desk-based Assessment, Walkover Survey, and Evaluation

Following proposals by United Utilities for the construction of a new service reservoir adjacent to Wilton Service Reservoir, Egremont, Cumbria (NY 0440 1125), archaeological recommendations were made by the Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service (CCCHES). These recommendations comprised a desk-based assessment, walkover survey, and a programme of evaluation trenching. Oxford Archaeology North was subsequently commissioned by United Utilities to undertake the work. The proposed development footprint covers a 10,000m2 area, of which 540m2 was examined by evaluation trenching. The desk-based assessment, walkover survey, and evaluation were undertaken in April 2007. The locale surrounding the proposed development area was shown by the desk-based assessment, to have evidence of prehistoric activity, particularly during the late Neolithic and Bronze Ages, including a former stone circle (Site 5) and a Bronze Age arrowhead find (Site 4). Six sites of archaeological interest were identified within the study area, all of which were listed in the Cumbria County Historic Environment Record. The walkover survey did not identify any features of archaeological significance. A number of features related to drainage clearance and the remainder were the results of erosion. The archaeological evaluation trenching found no evidence at the site of prior human activity other than agricultural practices, and the construction of the earlier reservoir at the southern end of the site. The only artefactual finds from the site comprised post-medieval pottery sherds that came from the topsoil and were representative of past manuring practices.