Belle Vue Stadium, Gorton, Manchester, Archaeological Excavation Report

The excavation identified archaeological remains across the area investigated relating to Lower Catsknowl; these were principally floor surfaces, although walls did survive, but generally only to a single course. The remains were heavily truncated, most likely during the demolition of the farmstead for the redevelopment of Belle Vue Stadium in the 1950s and 1980s, but also by modern services and drainage. The remains that did survive corresponded relatively well with the historic mapping of the site, with the buildings in the north-eastern part of the main range of buildings likely being domestic, due to the presence of flagged floors, with the western half of the range potentially having been used as barns or stables, as were the buildings to the south. Due to the level of truncation of the site, phasing of the structures identified was difficult, beyond what is depicted on the historic mapping,which does suggest that the buildings were relatively contemporary and minimal changes to the farmstead occurred. However, there did appear to be
at least an earlier phase, potentially comprising wall 105, a main phase of structures and floor surfaces constructed on natural geology 1005, followed by a later phase, comprising wall 104. There did appear to also be periodic repair and remodelling of the structures and surfaces throughout, although there was no evidence of earlier surfaces or structures beneath the surfaces recorded.
Although the site has potentially assisted with one of the regional research framework questions, the poor preservation of the remains leads to the site being ascribed with a low local significance. As such, it is not recommended to publish the results of the excavation beyond inclusion of the site as a summary in Post-Medieval Archaeology’s yearly roundup. The archive, along with this report, will also be deposited with OASIS (reference: oxfordar2-501594) and the
Archaeological Data Service online database