Tageted Archaeological Evaluation at Overby Quarry, Westnewton, Wigton, Cumbria

In March 2006, North Pennines Archaeology Ltd undertook a targeted archaeological field evaluation on land at Overby Quarry, Westnewton, Wigton, a site approximately 24ha in extent. This work was requested by Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service in advance of a planning application for a proposed scheme of aggregates extraction which would affect an area considered to have a very high archaeological potential, as identified by a previous desk-based assessment (Davies, G 2006, Archaeological Desk Based Assessment, Walkover and Geophysical Survey for a Proposed Quarry Extension at Overby Quarry, Westnewton, NPA report CP/215/05A). The results of the desk-based assessment indicated that the potential for sub-surface archaeological remains dating to the prehistoric period was extremely high. Existing evidence within the proposed extraction areas includes a single findspot of Neolithic/Bronze Age worked flint recovered during the North West Wetland Survey (Hodgkinson et al, 2000), and the existence of numerous cropmark features throughout the proposed extraction area. These undated cropmarks were first identified in 1975 (Higham and Jones 1975) and seem to represent the multi-phase remains of fields, settlement foci and possibly ritual sites dating to the prehistoric period. The field evaluation consisted of the excavation of four linear trial trenches, measuring 31m x 1.6m. The trenches were positioned to adequately sample areas of features identified by aerial photography by Higham and Jones in 1975, and NPA Ltd in 2006 as part of the assessment at NY 1254 4750. These were deemed to be features of 'particular archaeological interest' (Parsons 2006). The main aim was to provide a predictive model of surviving archaeological remains detailing their character, condition, and significance, which would enable the Overby quarry extension planning application to proceed in a highly informed way