Archaeological Desk Based Assessment, Soho
Border Archaeology undertook an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for a church PCC regarding proposed landscaping works in a former churchyard in Soho, London.
In Brief
Key Points
- Assessment of the potential archaeological significance of the site and the impact of the proposed landscaping works, particularly the potential for the works to encounter post-medieval burials.
- The assessment was informed by a site visit, consultation of the Greater London Historic Environment Record, reports on previous archaeological investigations in the area, and analysis of historic mapping and documentary records.
Summary
The assessment determined that there was a High potential for any works associated with the proposed development to encounter archaeological features or deposits of a post-medieval date. This assessment was based upon the fact that the site was a former churchyard, in use as a burial ground from the 17th century through until the mid-19th century, and a significant number of post-medieval burials were thought to be still be contained within it. Consequently, there was significant potential that the proposed works would encounter deeply stratified buried human remains, and possibly the remains of burial vaults.
The potential that the works may encounter evidence of prehistoric activity was assessed as Low to Moderate, reflecting the underlying potential for Palaeolithic lithic material to be identified within the local gravels. However, given the nature of the proposed works, and the raised nature of the land within the former graveyard, it was unlikely that any of the required excavations would reach sufficient depth to encounter the gravels. The potential to encounter Romano-British or medieval archaeological remains was assessed as Low.
Results
The assessment determined that there was a High potential for archaeological remains of a post-medieval date, Low to Moderate potential for encountering features of a prehistoric date, and a Low potential for Romano-British or medieval archaeology. The completion of the Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment allowed the application for planning permission to progress.
