Site Event/Activity record ESF24941 - Deposit, Albion Wharf, Ipswich, (IAS 6406).

A pre-planning trial trench evaluation was carried out in part of the site of the former Albion Maltings, Albion Wharf, Ipswich. Two trenches were excavated. Complex well-stratified multi-period deposits were recorded in the western part of the site, beginning at just 0.5m below the existing ground surface. These included two post-medieval wells, a single length of late medieval/early post-medieval septaria built wall and the remains of a possible cobbled surface of 13th-14th century date. A substantial amount of dumping and reclamation activity (principally dating to the 13th/14th centuries) was also recorded in this part of the site. In the eastern part of the site a substantial (at least 19 piles) wooden structure was recorded in unexpectedly deep 'river mud' deposits. This has been interpreted as a probable pier or jetty-type structure within an inlet of some kind that was previously unknown. Its date was extremely difficult to determine but the balance of evidence suggests that it was late medieval. An earlier peat deposit (0.75m thick) was also recorded, but could not be dated. Definite natural subsoil was not located in this eastern part of the site at -0.9m AOD, which was c. 1.5m deeper than anticipated. All the archaeological deposits encountered were well preserved, largely untruncated and quite shallow, lying immediately beneath the extant slab. Consequently, a programme of open area excavation was recommended in a band c. 25m wide parallel to the Key Street frontage, with archaeological monitoring recommended elsewhere further out into the former river channel. Project status: Complete Yes, Validated Yes Previous/Future Work: Previous No, Future Yes Associated Identifiers: HER event no. IAS 6406 Sitecode IAS 6406 HER event no. IPS 469 Sitecode IPS 469 Contracting Unit No. 2005/020 NMR No. 1431795 Project Type: Field evaluation Development Type: Landowner pre-sale planning application (outline) Methods and Techniques: '''''Targeted Trenches''''' Position in the Planning Process: Pre-application Reason for Investigation: Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPG16 Site status: Conservation Area Current Land use: Industry and Commerce 1 - Industrial Monument Type(s)/Period(s): SURFACE Medieval , FEATURE Medieval , LAYERS Uncertain, DITCH Uncertain, PIER Medieval , WALLS Medieval , WELLS Post Medieval , LAYERS Medieval Artefact Type(s)/Period(s): SHOE Medieval , ANIMAL REMAINS Post Medieval , ANIMAL REMAINS Medieval , BRICK Post Medieval , BRICK Medieval , POT Post Medieval , POT Medieval , STONE MORTAR Medieval , POT Early Medieval PROJECT LOCATION Area 8300.00 Square metres Grid Reference: TM16584406 Point PROJECT CREATOR(S) Brief originator: Local Authority Archaeologist and/or Planning Authority/advisory body Design originator: K. Wade Director/Manager: John Newman Supervisor: Rhodri Gardner DIGITAL ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service ID: IAS 6406, IPS 469 Contents: 'Animal Bones', 'Ceramics', 'Environmental', 'Metal', 'Stratigraphic', 'Wood', 'other' Media: 'Database', 'Images raster / digital photography', 'Spreadsheets', 'Text' PAPER ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR ID: IAS 6406, IPS 469 Contents: 'Animal Bones', 'Ceramics', 'Environmental', 'Metal', 'Stratigraphic', 'Wood', 'other' Media: 'Context sheet', 'Correspondence', 'Drawing', 'Map', 'Photograph', 'Plan', 'Report', 'Section', 'Unpublished Text' PHYSICAL ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR ID: IAS 6406, IPS 469 Contents: 'Animal Bones', 'Ceramics', 'Environmental', 'Metal', 'Wood', 'other' BIBLIOGRAPHY Publication Type: Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Title: Archaeological Evaluation Report, Albion Wharf, Ipswich, IAS 6406, IPS 469 Author(s)/Editor(s): Gardner, R. Other Bibliographic Details: SCCAS Report No 2005_20 Date: 2005 Issuer/Publisher: SCCAS Field Team Place of Issue or Publication: Ipswich Description: A4 ring-bound, orange card covers, in colour, with two appendices. Also available as a pdf.