Digital Archive from an Archaeological Investigation of the Forebuilding, Walden Castle, June 2013
Archaeology South-East, 2022. https://doi.org/10.5284/1090476. How to cite using this DOI
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4234
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1090476
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
This collection comprises images, reports, CAD and site records from an archaeological investigation adjacent to the forebuilding of the keep of Walden Castle, Saffron Walden. Archaeology South-East was commissioned by Uttlesford District Council to undertake this work during June 2013 in advance of building consolidation works.
Three small trenches were excavated at the foot of the extant forebuilding structure, at the northwest corner of the keep, each to a depth of c.1.0m. All trenches contained similar sequences of chalk and flint rubble and clay silt layers of later post-medieval and modern date. These are interpreted as representing 19th and 20th century levelling and landscaping of the immediate vicinity around the keep. No deposit sequences were excavated to their full depth. Despite being positioned over the projected lines of previously demolished walls, in situ bonded rubble foundation remains were not encountered, though could still survive buried at greater depth.
Residual medieval pottery was retrieved from the investigated post-medieval deposits, suggesting that in situ remains of this date have been disturbed by later wall robbing and/or landscaping activity. The recorded archaeological deposits and features are judged to be of relatively low significance and value and that, having recorded the remains present, the proposed consolidation works to the keep forebuilding will therefore have only a minimal adverse impact upon the below-ground heritage resource in this part of the Walden Castle site.
