Installation of Signage at Sawley Abbey and Whalley Abbey Gatehouse, Lancashire- Watching Brief

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) on behalf of English Heritage during the installation of interpretation and warning signage at two scheduled monuments in Lancashire; Sawley Abbey (SM 23690; NGR SD 7781 4645) and Whalley Abbey Gatehouse (SM 23691; NGR SD 7290 3618). The groundworks involved the manual excavation of seven post holes at five separate locations at Sawley Abbey (SMCC 23690/1 and 23692/2; locations 1-5) and two post holes (SMCC 23691/1; location 6) at Whalley Abbey Gatehouse under archaeological supervision on June 21st 2005.
The maximum depth of the post holes was limited to within the topsoil, and no archaeological deposits were encountered. Three of the post holes (locations 1 and 3) were for the purposes of the replacement of existing signage, and were excavated around infilled post holes, and within previously disturbed topsoil. Nevertheless, finds were retrieved from locations 2 and 4 at Sawley Abbey, albeit unstratified. Location 2 was situated at the western edge of the abbey grounds, to the south of the main entrance, in which fragments of animal bone and post-medieval pottery were found. Location 4 was within the remains of abbey church, to the north of the nave, from which six fragments representing two medieval tiles were recovered. These are likely to relate to the disturbed remains of the church floor.