Castle Stede, Hornby, Lancashire. Archaeological Evaluation.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology North (OAN), on behalf of United Utilities Ltd, within part of the easement of a new water pipeline which
runs between Jackson’s Pasture and Borwick, Lancashire, in September of 2001. The area evaluated was located in the immediate vicinity of the eleventh century motte and bailey,
Castle Stede near Hornby, overlooking the river Lune. This is a scheduled monument.
Documentary investigation suggested the possibility of archaeological remains of various periods might be in the area. A number of trenches were therefore located on the
southern side of the river, skirting the perimeter of Castle Stede, with a single trench on the opposing side.
A single archaeological feature was found during the course of the evaluation, comprising of a small truncated pit within which a quantity of burnt material had been deposited,
located on the higher ground of the river terrace. Palaeobotanical remains indicate a date of post Mesolithic (3200BC), but without further dating evidence any interpretation is merely speculative.