Church of St Michael the Archangel, West Retford, Nottinghamshire: Archaeological Recording of Groundworks within the Churchyard

The groundwork, a mix of hand digging and machine excavation using a toothless ditching bucket, was carried out under archaeological observation. All deposits were inspected in order to identify any archaeological remains of interest in particular those medieval or earlier in date, (including church foundations). The base of the trench and sections were all cleaned by hand, examined and recorded. Recording of all groundworks included the position and depths of the excavations and the deposits exposed, by drawing (both in section and plan where applicable) and photograph. Prior to backfilling spoil heaps were inspected for any datable or significant archaeological artefacts. All identifiable deposits were given unique individual four-digit context numbers e.g. 0001, 0002 etc. starting at 0001. All saved artefacts were to be given individual three letter finds codes e.g. AAA, AAB. Disarticulated human remains found in the confines of the work were to be recorded appropriately and left on site for reburial. Advice from the Diocese Archaeological Advisor would be sought if articulated remains were present The skeletal remains encountered within the features truncating the natural substrata are likely to be in-situ burials, their shallow depth combined with the presence of a single coffin handle, suggest an eighteenth century rather than nineteenth century date. Additional excavation of the likely graves was not undertaken as it was decided that the width and depth of the trench would be sufficient to install a re-designed disabled access ramp without the requirement for further archaeological work. The south side of the churchyard has undergone considerable re-modelling, firstly with the restoration of the south aisle and re-building of the chancel in 1863, the extension of the chancel in 1890, the removal of the gravestones by c. 1955 (Francis Frith 2021) and the construction of the Chapter House and associated path in 1978 which may have had an impact on the deposits below. Of note patches of concrete were present at the base of the trench at the west end.