Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Project, Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire: Archaeological Watching Brief Phase 2

Wessex Archaeology were commissioned by Atkins, on behalf of VBA Joint Venture Ltd, to carry out an Archaeological Watching Brief in advance of a Flood Alleviation Scheme. Three phases of similar work were undertaken centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 401341 425976. Phase 1 was based at St Michael's Church, Church Street, Mytholmroyd and Phases 2 and 3 occurred at the River Calder and Cragg Brook. A total of twenty-five small geotechnical test pits and five window samples were excavated across the three phases. Test pits adjacent to the outer and inner faces of the Church attempted to acertain the depth of foundations in advance of widening the channel of the River Calder which passes some 7 m to the north of the building. Following the removal of overburden, a consistent deep layer of silty sandy loam was encountered, interpreted as redeposited dredged material. Excavation depth was limited to 1.20 m, a point at which the foundations of the north wall of the Church were still continuing. Interventions adjacent to the River Calder revealed upcast dredged material. The river bank paving on the north side of the river likely dates from the 19th century. Further away, evidence of seasonal flooding was detected. A large culverted feature runs through the garden of Scar Bottom Cottages.