Post-medieval timber beam, Muscle Bridge, Marsh Road (EHER 48586)

Archaeological monitoring recorded a large timber beam, split into two fragments, which probably derived from the post-medieval predecessor to Muscle Bridge.

July-August 2013. Watching brief. A large area of modern disturbance, over 4m long, was recorded 21m North of Muscle Bridge where the cable trench resumed having been drilled underneath the bridge. The disturbance was characterised by a dark brown grey fill containing modern brick rubble and it is not known how deep this deposit was and if it occupied a cut. Towards the base of the pipe trench, two large timber beams were excavated from the dark grey clay deposits by the pipe-laying contractors and dumped on the side of the trench. The timbers originally formed one long beam but broke into two 4.5m and 1.7m long pieces in the process of excavation. The beam would appear to be of oak and its probable association with the disturbed area suggests it may represent a part of the former bridge structure before it was replaced in the modern period, since it is unlikely to have travelled for any distance. No other timbers were observed. The full length of the timber was 6.2m. It was square cut with a breadth of 0.4m and depth of 0.3m. Its distinguishing marks were that one end was tapered and the other square. Towards the tapered end was a single pegged mortice (0.19 by 0.1m) for a square-cut timber post, perhaps a handrail. <1>