Cobbled Surface Repairs, Brough Castle, Church Brough, Cumbria- Archaeological Recording and Watching Brief

As part of a scheme of repairs to a series of cobbled surfaces at Brough Castle, Church Brough, Cumbria (NGR NY 79135 14070), Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) were commissioned by English Heritage (EH) to undertake a programme of archaeological recording and monitoring prior to, during, and after the remedial works within a Scheduled Monument (SM No 334). Four areas were selected for repair, comprising part of the courtyard outside the keep, inside the brew/bake house, within the kitchen, and a small area against the gate house.
Prior to repairs, each of the areas was recorded through scaled drawings and photography. A watching brief was then undertaken during the repairs, which involved the lifting of any loose cobbles within the selected areas, together with the removal of any unsuitable underlying substrate; the cobbles were re-laid within a lime mortar matrix. A single piece of fine unglazed pottery, dated to the late twelfth to early thirteenth century, was identified from the cobble matrix within the brew house. Following completion of repairs, a detailed photographic record was compiled. The works were undertaken in June 2008.