Uncovering Birmingham's buried industrial heritage
Birmingham Archaeology recently carried out an archaeological evaluation on the site of the new Birmingham City Library at Cambridge Street, Birmingham. The evaluation comprised four trenches, which were located over potential archaeological structures and deposits identified from cartographic evidence, and to avoid known services.
The work was required as part of an assessment of the impact of the proposed development of the new Library on below-ground archaeological remains, in order to determine the necessity for further archaeological mitigation in advance of the commencement of the development.
A previous desk-based assessment showed that the site was formerly within the vicinity of John Baskerville’s house in the 18th century, a canal, and was the later location of the Union Brassworks in the early-19th century, and Winfields Brass Works, one of the largest brassworks in Birmingham during the mid to late-19th century.
The archaeological evaluation demonstrated good survival of below-ground archaeological deposits relating to the former brassworks and the canal basin constructed to serve the works. The results both correlate with known cartographic evidence, and also provide additional detailed information regarding specific rooms and structures within the works.