Maryport Promenade, Maryport, Cumbria - Evaluation

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) carried out a programme of archaeological
evaluation trenching in December 2007, along a 420m section of path to the
immediate west of Maryport Roman Fort, Alauna Carretiorum, and associated vicus
(NGR NY 0384 3744, Scheduled Ancient Monument 27746). This was at the request
of Capita Symonds, acting on behalf of Cumbria County Council, in support of a
planning application to upgrade the existing coastal path, and reroute a section. The
proposed works would involve excavating to a depth of 150mm-200mm. Therefore,
an archaeological evaluation was required to assess the potential impact on any
surviving below-ground remains.
The fort was one of a series from the western end of Hadrian’s Wall that extended
down the Cumbrian coast. The proposed development site lay immediately to the west
of the scheduled area, and due to the sensitive nature of the nearby archaeological
remains, the Hadrian’s Wall archaeologist for English Heritage requested the
excavation of a series of small trenches to assess the potential, nature and extent of
any sub-surface remains. Ten trenches were opened by mini-excavator, ranging in size
from 3m by 1m, and 2m by 2m, and excavated to an average depth of 300-400mm,
providing a buffer zone for the proposed improvements to the existing coastal path,
and construction of the new pathway.