Harby Brow Tower, Mealsgate, Wigton, Cumbria Archaeological Watching Brief Report

Oxford Archaeology (OA) North was commissioned by Mrs Maegan Whiteley�Pickles to undertake an archaeological watching brief at the site of proposed drainage improvements, as part of residential renovation works, at Harby Brow Tower, Mealsgate, Wigton, Cumbria (NGR: NY 19216 41498). The work was undertaken as a condition of Listed Buildings Consent (planning ref: LBC/2022/0035).
It was determined by the Historic Environment Officer for Cumbria County Council that an watching brief would be required during the excavation works for a new drainage system being installed. OA North were subsequently
commissioned by Mrs Maegan Whiteley-Pickles to produce a written scheme of investigation and undertake the necessary archaeological fieldwork, which was completed in three days, between 24th October and 11th November 2022.
The drainage trenches and pit for a new septic tank were monitored by a suitably experienced and trained archaeologist. No archaeological features or finds were
observed during the monitoring works. This is potentially due to the scale of the excavations being minimal, the trenches were only 0.4m wide and excavated to a maximum depth of 0.5m; whilst the pit for the septic tank was larger, it still only covered a small area.