Hayeswater Pipeline, Braesteads to Grisedale Section, Cumbria. Topographic Survey, Walkover Survey, Evaluation and Watching Brief.

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was requested by United Utilities to examine the archaeological implications of the construction of the section of the proposed Hayeswater pipeline route through Braesteads and Grisedale in central Cumbria (NY 3907 1613 – 3767 1563). This area contains a number of sites of post-medieval date, including a group of charcoal burning platforms, or pitsteads, at Glenamara Park
identified in an appraisal and walkover survey carried out in June 2004 (OA North 2004).
During September and October 2004 OA North carried out a topographic survey, an evaluation consisting of three trenches, a walkover survey on a small stretch of new
route, and a watching brief during the pipe trench excavation. The topographic survey examined four sites, highlighted by the earlier appraisal as being in the area of the route of the pipeline. These were a lynchet (Site 252), and three pitsteads (Sites 239, 246 and 247). This survey characterised and accurately located these features, which
showed that Sites 252, 239 and 247 were likely to be directly impacted upon by the pipeline, whilst pitstead 246 was found to be outside of the pipeline route.
The evaluation targeted sites 252, 239 and 247. The lynchet (Site 252) was found to be present in Trench 1 but was more prominent up-slope to the north-east of the pipeline easement. The pitstead (Site 247) excavated in Trench 2 was evidenced only by the presence of a slight raised area seen prior to excavation, which was found to consist of a charcoal-rich subsoil. This was sampled in order to characterise the materials and methods employed in the charcoal burning. Trench 3, excavated to examine the second pitstead (Site 239), revealed only a slight natural slope,
suggesting the pitstead survives to the south of the trench, and would not be affected by the route of the pipeline