Lanercost Priory, Cumbria- Watching Brief

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) in September 2003 at Lanercost Priory, Cumbria (NY 556 637). The work took place on behalf of McAlpine Utilities during excavation of a pipe trench along the north and west sides of the priory grounds.
The priory is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, SAM Cumbria 301 (www.eng-h.gov.uk/reports/lanercost). Although the pipeline lies outside of the scheduled area, it was necessary that an archaeological watching brief be carried out in order to ascertain the presence or absence of any remains relating to the priory or other phases of activity in the area.
Much of the pipe trench was excavated through ground disturbed by earlier pipe trenches and the unclassified B road from Brampton to Birdoswald. However, even in undisturbed areas no archaeological remains of any significance were encountered indicating that the extant northern and western boundaries of the priory have remained relatively unchanged.