Earcroft Junction M65, Darwen, Lancashire. Archaeological Evaluation Report

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in July 2000 of the area to the south of
Oakenhurst Farm, Darwen, Lancashire (centred at NGR SD 6870 2453), by Lancaster
University Archaeological Unit, on behalf of White Young Green Environmental Ltd. The
work comprised a desk-based study, geophysical survey, topographical survey and trial
trenching.
The desk-based study was undertaken so as to maximise the work already carried out as
part of an earlier documentary study (GMAU 1994) and involved a search of records held
by the Lancashire Sites and Monuments Record, and the Lancashire County Record Office
in Preston. The study established that there were two principal landscapes: one of
agricultural origin centred on the former Oakenhurst Farm, the north of the study area, and
also an industrial landscape around the periphery of the farm.