Messingham Quarry, Manton, North Lincolnshire
1 - Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant new heritage assets
Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant archaeology on the development site (i.e. the results created significant new knowledge), especially where none was previously known in the HER.
7 - Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission
Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission and were necessary in order to enable the development to be permitted.
Non-designated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest, some of national importance.
Quarry for silica sand extraction
Evidence of early iron working sites uncovered during quarrying operations to the south. Former slag mounds known locally as ‘cinder hills’ recorded in the area; one such mound survives along southern boundary of site.
Pre-determination evaluation which comprised fieldwalking, geophysics and extensive trial trenching identified the presence of several early metal working sites as either furnaces or slag debris. Early identification ensured that a sound mitigation strategy was in place as a condition of planning permission and this also facilitated an unforeseen change of contractor undertaking the excavation works. Further excavation in 2015 revealed the remains of a furnace that was radiocarbon dated 776-590 BC, making this the earliest dated smelting furnace in the country.
Comprehensive pre-determination evaluation and a pre-commencement condition enabled the identification and excavation of important Iron Age remains, some of which have been identified as being of national importance.
The early date of one of the furnaces is of national (possibly international) research interest.
- Clarke, G, 2015, In Touch, Oxford Archaeology Review 2014/15 Issue 35, 8.
- Archaeological Survey and Evaluation Ltd 2009, Land at Greetwell Hall Farm, Messingham Quarry, Manton, Trial Trench Evaluation. Unpublished report.
