Crossrail: Archaeological Investigations Conducted in Advance of Construction of the Elizabeth Line
Crossrail: Archaeological Investigations Conducted in Advance of Construction of the Elizabeth Line
Crossrail: Archaeological Investigations Conducted in Advance of Construction of the Elizabeth Line
The construction of Crossrail through the heart of London has resulted in one of the most extensive archaeological programmes ever undertaken in the UK. The project has given archaeologists an exceptional opportunity to record important parts of London’s history.
The Generic Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) was prepared in consultation with English Heritage and relevant County and local authority archaeologists to ensure a consistent approach across the route and throughout the life of the project.
One of the core objectives of the Crossrail archaeology programme was the dissemination of archaeology information to the wider archaeological community, together with a focused education and outreach programme for local communities.
Years of research have been carried out to understand the impact that construction will have on the archaeology along the route. Moreover, Crossrail’s archaeological team will be producing detailed reports on their findings. All the significant artefacts will be provided to the Museum of London and the Natural History Museum.
Collection Details
Creator (organisation)
MOLA
Language
English
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CC BY 4.0
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Item type:Dataset, Farringdon Station, Minor Works and Utility Diversions, Hayne Street (Crossrail XSF10)(2019)MOLACombined general and targeted watching briefs were carried out at the site of Crossrail Farringdon Eastern ticket Hall by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). Natural gravels were not exposed at Formation level (15.10m OD) . Disarticulated human remains (probably associated with the medieval burial ground in Charterhouse Square) were recovered within a later levelling deposit dated1480-1600. Suggesting that the burial ground may have extended further west then expsected. A series of post medieval dumps and a pit, as well as garden soil horizons are consistent with the low levels of human activiyty in the area after the formation of Charterhouse square gardens in the 16th century. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Finsbury Circus, Liverpool Street (Crossrail XRZ10)(2019)MOLATwo phases of archaeological excavation (two general watching briefs and one evaluation with one trench) were carried out at the site of Crossrail Finsbury Circus Shaft by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), between 11/03/11 to 01/04/11. 19th-century garden soil horizons overlying post-medieval dumps were recoreded at a maximum depth of 9.86 OD. These were related to the reclimanation of land overlying Moorfields Marsh. Medieval marsh deposits sealed Roman cut features at 8.6 OD. These included a possible quarry pit and intercutting ditch and pit. Natural Gravels and sand were truncated to a maximum depth of 7.92 OD. Combined general and targeted watching briefs were carried out at the site of Crossrail Finsbury Circus Shaft by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). Natural Gravels and sand were truncated to a maximum depth of 7.95m OD. A channel exposed in the western area of the shaft footprint may have been the route of the Early Holocene Walbrook River. Medieval marsh deposits sealed Roman cut features at 8.73m OD. These included two [rubbish] pits dated to the second century AD. Post-medieval dumps relating to the reclaimation of land overlying Moorfields Marsh were recorded at a maximum depth of 9.86m OD. A robust, well preserved NE-SW aligned culvert dated 1666-1800 was also recorded immediatly beneath the foundations of a recently demolished Victorian building. 19th-century and later garden soil horizons associated with sites current use as a park/bowling green filled the shaft to ground level. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Stepney Green (Crossrail XRV10)(2019)MOLAStepney Green Shaft - Evaluation and Site monitoring exposed small prehistoric truncated features with very abraded late Bronze Age or Iron Age pot (not retained). There were NO Roman or earlier medieval finds. Substantial remains of Worcester House, including brick foundations of King John's Tower, a late 15th-c or 16th-c defensible gatehouse and ranges of rooms from the Tudor-Stuart Courtyard mansion, were also seen. Stepney Green Shafts - Excavation and targeted watching briefs on Late-medieval and Tudor Common Sewer, Canalised round moated aristocratic manor house, converted to a baptist college in the early 19th century. TWB on remains of Congregational Church and attached school, 19th- and early 20th century houses and small factories. Significant finds include fine Tudor glassware, leather footwear and bowling ball and a medieval rowel spur. Stepney Green shafts and Stepney City Farm watching briefs - A number of watching briefs on Stepney City Farm, and on an enlarged worksite area of the Crossrail shaft, exposed a series of walls and a culvert (in line with one found in 1970s) made from 2-inch thick bricks1 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Liverpool Street Worksite, Liverpool Street (Crossrail XSM10)(2019)MOLAThis archive presents the results of an archaeological investigation by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) at the site of the Crossrail Central Broadgate Ticket Hall, Liverpool Street, London EC2M, City of London (Museum of London (MoL) sitecode XSM10). The fieldwork comprised a series of watching briefs (targeted and general), evaluations and excavations, conducted between 20/02/11 and 09/10/15. These were undertaken in response to the redevelopment of the site as part of the Crossrail station at Liverpool Street: excavation of the site area to a depth of 25 metres below street level was necessary to provide below-ground concourses and booking halls and escalator access to the platforms. Documents in this archive also incorporate the results of archaeological investigation by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) at the Crossrail 11-12 Blomfield Street site, EC2, in the City of London (sitecodes XSL10/XTB12). These investigations comprised a series of watching briefs (Targeted and General), evaluations and excavations conducted between 24/05/2011 and 23/01/2014. The site lay 120m north of the Roman town boundary in a landscape dominated by a tributary of the Walbrook stream, which ran along the west edge of the site. The earliest Roman activity focused on draining the site sufficiently to allow burial and road building in the area. Extensive remains of an early 2nd- to 3rd-century AD west-east metalled road were traced across the site, along with several phases of roadside ditches. The road ran west from the main Roman road to the north (later Ermine Street) and may have led to the fort in the north-west corner of Londinium (built in stone after c AD 120). To the south of the road, seven 2nd-century AD inhumation burials, including three decapitations, and one cremation burial formed part of a burial ground in this waterlogged area. Following on earlier such finds, the large assemblage of accompanying disarticulated human bone remains one of the most intriguing aspects of the Walbrook valley. The recovery of horse remains, hipposandals and archaeological evidence for pasture nearby suggests that the general area may have been used for horse pasture and/or stabling during the Roman period. The post-Roman to medieval sequence is largely characterised by a series of marsh deposits, during which time the sites appear to have been unused. Reclamation of the marsh occurred during the 12th-early 15th centuries, a period characterised by a canalisation of the Walbrook channel and a series of large boundary/drainage ditches. Archaeological and documentary evidence shows that the XSM10 and LSS85 sites were used as gardens in the early post-medieval period. The burial ground documented as the 'New Churchyard', (also known as variously as the Old Bedlam or Bethlem burial/burying ground/place) was in use 1569-1739. The archaeological investigations at XSM10 and LSS85 involved the excavation of c 3750 skeletons, as well as boundary walls and burial structures associated with the burial ground. The sites became increasingly developed from the mid-18th century following the closure of the burial ground. In the 1770s, the lands of the burial ground were converted into gardens or yards for the use of Broad Street Buildings (built in 1737) and No.1 Brokers Row. Greater changes occurred in the 19th century, including the construction of a new road called 'Liverpool Street' in 1823-24, then the near complete redevelopment of the sites in the 1860s and 70s, which followed the construction of Broad Street Station and Liverpool Street Stations.4 1 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Plumstead Portal (Crossrail XSW11)(2019)MOLAThis archive describes the archaeological evaluation and watching brief work carried out at the Plumstead Portal site by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). The North Woolwich portal is located within the existing railway corridor of the former North London Line (NLL), between Factory Road and Albert Road, in the London Borough of Newham, National Grid Reference 542700 180000. All fieldwork was conducted between 11/04/12 and 09/06/14 and supervised by Portia Askew (MOLA Supervisor), Virgil Yendell (MOLA Senior Geoarchaeologist) and Jason Stewart (MOLA Geoarchaeologist), and included the following: The two evaluation trenches showed natural sands and gravels overlain by peats and alluvial clays. The surface of the Pleistocene\Early Holocene deposits indicated a series of braided river channels within a low-lying area on the western margins of a main channel. A borehole survey showed this channel to be over 200m wide and c.3m deep. This feature would have formed a major part of the floodplain landscape from the Early Holocene and probably became a major drainage feature when the other Holocene channels to the west became abandoned. It is possible that the channel forms an abandoned arm of a former course of the Great Breach Dyke, which existed from the Early Holocene period into the Bronze Age. A Mesolithic land surface was identified with rising sea levels leading to widespread peat formation by the early Neolithic into the Bronze Age, Within the peat deposits were worked timbers which may have formed parts of a structure, possibly a trackway constructed to access or traverse the wetlands. The overlying alluvial silts and clays are likely to be of Iron Age, medieval and historic date representing an inundation of the floodplain. The upper 1.20m comprised dumps which represent making up and levelling of the site prior to the construction of the railway and associated buildings in the vicinity. The foundations of a chimney of the adjacent Listed power station were also recorded. Three window samples afforded opportunities to sample the alluvial sequence above Shepperton Pleistocene Thames gravel. A variable sequence was recorded across the site. The sequence within the windows samples on the site shows gravels and sands overlain by clays and sands then peats and sealed by alluvial clays. The elevation of the surface of the Pleistocene/Early Holocene confirms the previous deposit model of a series of braided river channels (LZ3) within a low lying area of the floodplain and separated or fringed by channel bars to later wetlands (LZ2). The northern, eastern and western extent of the channel has been refined by the variously sourced borehole and trench data. The channel is still estimated to be more than 200m wide and up c 3m deep. This feature formed a major part of the floodplain landscape from the Early Holocene, and probably became a major route of drainage and transport. It is possible that the channel forms an abandoned arm of a former course of the Great Breach Dyke, which existed from the Early Holocene into the Bronze Age period.5 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Blomfield Street Phase 2 Mitigation, 11-12 Blomfield Street (Crossrail XTB12)(2019)MOLAThe archaeological work on site consisted of three separate interventions: an excavation in the area of the grout box, a targeted watching brief on the area of the Main box, and a general watching brief during ground reduction of the rest of the site. The excavation of the grout shaft area was done in two phases in order to get a full east-west section across the shaft. The intention of this excavation was to explore the results seen in the evaluation that uncovered the eastern edge of the main channel of the Walbrook. During this phase the channel was successfully recorded across the width of the trench. Natural sand and gravels were seen at the base (5.90m OD) followed by a succession of flood deposits, marshy peat, and a Roman dump layer which contained a number of pieces of pottery and ceramic building material dating between 50 and 400 AD. The targeted watching brief in the southern portion of the site recorded a probable continuation of the Walbrook Channel with Roman dumping layers and a north-south running ditch. In the south-east corner of the site the targeted watching brief recorded natural terrace gravels at a much higher level (8.33m OD) than in the grout shaft, suggesting this would have been dryer ground near the edge of the Walbrook. An east-west running ditch cut into the subsoil and underlying natural terrace gravels dated to the 12th century by pottery found within the fills. This was in turn cut by a north-south running ditch. These may represent medieval attempts to drain the higher ground to the east into the Walbrook. The general watching brief on ground reduction across the rest of the site revealed late 19th/early 20th century brickwork and rail ines in the northern portion of the site, probably related to Metropolitan Line.1 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Whitechapel Station (Crossrail XSH10)(2019)MOLAThree evaluation trenches were opened at the Cambridge Heath worksite (located to the E of Brady Street, TQ 3486 8195), while watching briefs were conducted at both that site and the Essex Wharf worksite (on the N side of Durward Street, TQ 3461 8196). Natural Taplow terrace gravels were recorded at each borehole location between 3.25 and 4.90m below street level. In the extreme eastern edge of the gardens, waterlain deposits were recorded possibly from an undated ditch or paloechannel. Immediately to the north two phases of brick floor, possibly delineating yard surfaces and associated deposits were exposed in a starter pit. One particular context containing fine Chinese porcelain, a wig curler and imported German stoneware gives us a snapshot of daily life at the time. A subsequent borehole suggested that substantial brick foundations survived to a considerable depth in this area, most likely associated with 18th-19th century terraced buildings that had been levelled following World War II. Little in situ remains survived from the period when the gardens were in use as a (Quaker) burial ground, from the late 17th to 19th centuries. Only tentative evidence was recorded of in situ remains. Disarticulated human bone was documented in each intervention, generally in the higher deposits, implying that the remains had been well disturbed and subsequently redistributed across the site. Chalk and sandstone inclusions drilled from one borehole may have been from an in situ structure of unknown date, but are just as likely arbitrary inclusions. The majority of the deposits were dated by inclusions (ceramics and tobacco pipes) from the 18th-19th centuries, and were recorded within substantial levelling/ make up dumps. The watching brief demonstrated that there is extensive survival of low grade post medieval deposits across the site, the majority formed once the burial ground had gone into disuse. 18th-19th century domestic buildings survive at a shallow depth in the north of the gardens, as predicted through contemporary mapping. There is limited evidence of Victorian and latter disturbance, again supported by documentation that shows little change following the gardens establishment in the 19th century. The watching brief was part of a wider project investigated and recorded with this site code. At Durward Street Shaft (Essex Wharf worksite) the natural brickearth was cut by two undated ditches which may relate to the division of the area into planned plots for intensive agriculture as shown on Rocque's 18th century map. A circular brick-lined structure set into natural gravel is in the same position as a feature marked 'tank' on the 1873 Ordnance Survey map midway between the contemporary rail head and a superphosphate fertiliser works. It may relate to water supply for the former or water disposal for the latter. A part of the 19th century railway cutting retaining wall which had remained in use until the present day was recorded during demolition.2 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Pudding Mill Lane (Crossrail XSK10)(2019)MOLAA watching brief was carried out under Crossrail contract C261 Archaeology Early East, three boreholes and seven trial pits all within the confines of the Bulk Supply Point, Pudding Mill Lane were investigated. Natural geology in the form of Shepperton/Lea Valley Gravel was recorded across the site in the boreholes. The gravel surface ranged was slightly lower in the western corner of the site. The very edge of the gravel island appears to have been located in north possibly north east dropping off into lower lying channel areas. Low lying organic deposits were identified to the south and an alder tree trunk was cored at the base of the sequence to the south west of site alongside the present course of the River Lea. There is a variable thickness of alluvium onsite but the degree to which these deposits were contaminated or disturbed/redeposited could not wholly be ascertained as part of the watching brief. A Victorian/Edwardian Staffordshire Blue brick surface possibly related to the river wall construction was located in the western corner of the site and a cobbled surface with narrow gauge railing lines running through it in an east to west orientation was recorded to the centre of the site along with a buried storage tank. These are all likely to be related to the lampworks or soap works. A general watching brief during ground reduction and removal of contaminated deposits at the Crossrail C261 Pudding Mill Lane portal, in the area of the National Grid bulk supply point, recorded a Holocene alluvial sequence, an ephemeral wattle structure of uncertain date and post-medieval cut features and foundations relating to the industrial use of the site from the 19th century. Two Parish boundary marker stones were also recorded within the alluvium. Targeted watching brief carried out at the Pudding Mill Lane Portal as part of the Crossrail project, including Cut and Cover tunnel Sections 2B and 3, a coffer dam in the river Lea, a grout shaft, and observations made during a general watching brief carried out during enabling works. Holocene alluvium was recorded across the site.1 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, Limmo Peninsula (Crossrail XRW10)(2019)MOLAFour phases of archaeological excavation (two general watching briefs, an evaluation with two trenches and a targeted watching brief) carried out at the site of Crossrail Limmo Peninsula Shaft by the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), between 09/08/10 to 03/12/10. 20th-century made ground (10m OD) on structural remains of 19th-20th-century Thames Ironworks (3.5m OD) , over 19th-century made ground (2.6m OD), overlaying alluvial and natural deposits (0.49mOD). A walkover assessment was carried out on the non-listed built heritage at Instone Wharf, consisting of structures of low historical value associated with its former use as a freight terminal. Mooring posts mounting iron bollards, probably installed during the redevelopment of the site in the 1930s, were recorded, as were paved surfaces associated with railway lines which may date to the 1950s. An evaluation trench and subsequent targeted watching brief at Instone Wharf at the mouth of the Lea, exposed substantial brick walls related to the Thames Iron Works Offices and Workshops along with associated foundations and bases for machinery. Also uncovered were the lower portion of the Mast House and Mould Loft building and the south-easternmost slipway of the Iron Works, separated by a timber revetment.2 - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Dataset, MOLA Conventions, Attribute Definitions, and Validation Tables (Crossrail)(2019)MOLAThe files presented here provide additional documentation for the Crossrail site archives deposited by MOLA. MOLA Conventions and Attribute Definitions: The Conventions documents explain the structure of the spreadsheets forming part of this archive and the layer conventions for all AutoCAD documents. The Attribute Definitions expand on the Field Names used in the Attribute Tables for .shp files. MOLA Validation Tables: The Validation Tables explain any abbreviations referred to in the Spreadsheet conventions document for Field, Finds and Environmental digital records.1
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