Source/Archive record SDR22071 - Mam Tor, Derbyshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

In November 2013, ARS Ltd was commissioned by the National Trust to undertake an archaeological watching brief during a programme of footpath improvements at the north-eastern gateway of Mam Tor, which is a Scheduled Monument. The brief involved monitoring the replacement of the existing pitched path with a new improved path to prevent further erosion of the gateway. Prior to the commencement of the works, a general photographic survey of the existing pitched path was undertaken. The dismantling of the existing (now former) pitched path took place in stages, in short sections. The new paving comprises gritstone blocks that were set deeper in to the natural sub-stratum than the previous path, reaching an overall depth of c. 450mm. No artefacts were encountered during the watching brief. A stake hole was revealed, but it is thought to represent a modern feature. Around the hillfort gateway, a cluster of gritstone blocks was uncovered at an overall depth of 150 to 200mm below the ground surface. The feature at first appeared natural, but is now considered most likely to be of anthropogenic origin. It was not fully-investigated, but the entire area of the path along the hillfort's entrance was subsequently replaced with new flagstones rather than pitched stones in order to leave this possible feature undisturbed. Once the construction of the new path was completed, a detailed photographic record was undertaken.