Morecambe otel Test Pit Action Plan - Lancaster University Hotel Test Pit... · Morecambe Hotel...

Morecambe Hotel Test Pit Action Plan Spring 2014

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Morecambe Hotel Test Pit Action Plan

Fig 1: Site plan showing locations of 3 test pits and potential areas to expand.

3 Test Pits

o 2 Normal Test Pits

o 1 Test Pit/Trench

All test pits with potential for expansion should it

become necessary.


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Introduction

The purpose of this plan is to detail the three areas for test pitting and potential

trenches.

3 sites for investigation have been identified.

2 initially as standard test pits.

1 identified for test pit/small trench if deemed necessary.

All pits have potential for expansion due to the time limit available for this location.

It is estimated that a standard test pit should take approximately two days to dig and

refill with two people per pit.

Requirements per Test Pit

2 willing diggers

Anyone not able to dig could do the recording with context sheets (1-2 people

for the whole site should be adequate)

2 trowels (4 inch)

1 mattock

1 shovel

1 spade

1-2 kneelers

Appropriate clothing

Finds trays

4 nails/tent pegs

String

Spirit level

Tape measure

Bucket/wheelbarrow/area for excavated soil (test pits 2 and 3 could share)

Small hand shovel

Totals for 3 Test Pits

3 Mattocks

3 Shovels

3 Hand Shovels

3 Spades

6 4 inch trowels (unless people have their own)

1 Ball of string

16 tent pegs (at least)

Spirit levels (can be shared)


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Tape measures (can be shared or people can bring their own if they wish)

Bucket/wheelbarrow and spoil heap

Kneel Pads

Finds Trays

Finds Bags

Permanent Markers

Context Sheets (I will see what I can find)

Pencils/pens, rubbers, pencil sharpeners etc

Site Requirements

Someone to give moral support

Someone to sort/clean finds

Someone to sort context sheets

Information boards for public

Tables for displaying finds (should anything be found)

A first aider (plus comfy chair)

Tea making facilities

Toilets (VITAL!!!)

o Are we to assume that the loo in question is fully functional and

supplied with the basics, i.e. plenty of loo roll, soap, running water

etc…? As the Morecambe was pretty much gutted last time I looked in

there.

Site Preparation

Before the digging dates it is recommended someone goes to the site and

measures/marks out where the pits are to be placed. This may be especially useful

for Test Pit 1 as the flags can then be removed from that area before hand to save

time.

Also, would be helpful to create a scale plan of the site which will help for future

studies just so we know where everything was/is.


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The Test Pits

Considering these will be done over several days/weekends it is suggested these be

started in the following order:

1. Test Pit 1

2. Test Pit 2

3. Test Pit 3

It is not to say they we only do certain pits on certain days, but at least get them

started in that order with hopefully Test Pit 1 completed or well on the way by the

time it comes to Test Pit 3. However, if more diggers are available then this would

make things easier.

As there is potential to make Test Pits 2 and 3 into trenches, then obviously more

people may be required here.

Test Pit 1

Fig 2: Location for Test Pit 1.

This pit will be located at the south-western boundary of the Morecambe Hotel

structure. It will be the closest test pit to the actual building and may have potential

for information regarding the Morecambe Hotel.

A small flight of metal steps runs across its south-eastern edge which appears to

have been laid on some earlier stone steps. The wall running next to the steps is a

mixture of stone, boulders and patchworks of brick. Within the former stable block of

the Morecambe Hotel there is evidence of red sandstone blocks (See Figs 3 & 4)

present in its south-eastern wall where it meets with its south-western wall. Question

is, ‘where’ has this red sandstone come from???


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Fig 3: Showing evidence of red sandstone blocks within the Morecambe Hotel

former stable block near to Test Pit 1.


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Fig 4: Showing evidence of red sandstone blocks within the Morecambe Hotel

former stable block near to Test Pit 1.

South-west of the test pit is a low stone cobble wall, Figs 5 & 6, which appears to

have been painted white; a tree sits just beyond this. Like many other walls it

appears to be a patchwork of different building materials possibly indicating repair

work.

Fig 5: Low, possibly cobble/stone, wall which is currently painted white.


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Fig 6: Close up of low wall near to Test Pit 1.

Fig 7: Showing location for Test Pit 1. Red line indicates test pit (dark red just

gives it a 3D element of the inside of the pit). The blue line indicates maximum

boundary of test pit area.

Figure 7 shows the area for Test Pit 1. The light red line indicates about the best

place for the test pit. I would estimate anything from 1.5 m to 2 m in diameter. Depth

will depend on where the natural is; though from past accounts it would appear this

should be a sandy mixture.


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For Test Pit 1 you have to take into account the elements surrounding it. There are

posts holding up a walkway to the north-west so digging too close to them is not

recommended; the stairway to the south should take into account similar

considerations. The low wall to the south east is only small but there is a tall tree

very close on the other side. Therefore, there may be evidence of tree roots in or

near this Test Pit.

Test Pit 2

Fig 8: Site location of Test Pit 2.

Test Pit 2 is located in the northern corner of the raised area which is very close to

the boundaries of 21 and 23 Lord Street (Maybe worth test pitting on the other sides

if permission can be obtained from owners).

Test Pit 2 is not near the Morecambe Hotel structure but close to the garden walls of

21 and 23 Lord Street; these appear to be a mix of stone, cobble, patchwork brick

and breeze blocks. It is also suspected to be on or near the former zoo area. A

number of trees exist on its north-western boundary so tree roots may be expected

here; indeed, it may be necessary to move the test pit south a little to avoid these.

The size of the initial test pit is to be about 1.5 m to 2 m in diameter. Estimated

length of expanded trench is shown on Figs 9 and 10.


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Fig 9: Showing site of Test Pit 2 (in red) and possible expanded area (in green).

Fig 10: Showing site of Test Pit 2 (in red) and possible expanded area (in

green).


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Test Pit 3

Fig 11: Site location of Test Pit 3. Hashed lines indicate possible expansion

into trench.

Test Pit 3 is located on the north western area of the site; a little way from Test Pit 2

and south of 21 Lord Street and the Poulton Children’s Centre car park. The former

fire tower sits on its western boundary which appears to be a part stone but

predominantly brick structure. A low wall exists between Test Pit 3 and the Poulton

Children’s Centre car park. This is shown on Fig 12 with features highlighted.

Fig 12: Showing low wall on northern boundary of Test Pit 3.


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Figure 12 shows the low wall adjoining the Poulton Children’s Centre car park. It

appears to be mostly stone built with patches of brick mostly near the top. Other

potential lines have been highlighted indicating that the wall may have been built

over time in parts and raised in height rather than built as one structure.

It is also interesting to note that the ground level is slightly higher on the Morecambe

Hotel side. This may indicate artificial raising of the soil on the Morecambe Hotel

side or the digging out of land on the Children’s Centre side to provide a level car

park. Either way the wall may be functioning as a partial retaining wall.

Fig 13: Showing Test Pit 3 area. Red line indicates initial test pit, green lines

may be expansion areas. The yellow line indicates the low wall on the

northern side whilst the blue line shows the furthest digging could go.

As with Test Pit 2, Test Pit 3 allows for expansion into a small trench. This could

extend as far as the western Morecambe Hotel site boundary. It will depend if

anything is found or not, as with all the test pits. Again diameter of test pit should be

1.5 m to 2 m with depth depending on how far down the natural is.


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Test Pit Methods Figure 14 shows a typical test pit diagram. When digging a test pit it should look

something like this. Edges need to be straight and there needs to be enough room

to work. If test pit goes down very deep make sure you have a method of climbing

out and in again.

Tool use can be demonstrated on site but it’s the mattock that is most important. If

handled correctly it can be carried out with very little effort. The key thing with a

mattock is that it’s the weight of the head that breaks the soil rather than your own

body strength. This way you’re not tiring yourself out in the process.

Fig 14: Showing typical test pit cross section


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Further Options Should marked test pits be found to be unfruitful or spare diggers be available, I

have marked out locations for other potential test pitting on Figure 15 labelled as 4,

5 and 6.

Fig 15: Showing initial test pits 1-3 and further areas 4-6 should more

resources be available.

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