Hollis Croft, Sheffield, South Yorkshire - Archaeological Report

Wessex Archaeology

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned to undertake a staged programme of archaeological mitigation works at Hollis Croft, Sheffield. The programme comprised watching brief, evaluation trial trenching and six strip, map and record excavations. The Site was centred on NGR 434990 387580.

The impact of 18th-century activity at Hollis Croft was perhaps best preserved in the layout of the various plots. The most significant result was the remains of two well-preserved mid-19th century cementation furnaces. The cementation furnaces were built in a uniform style indicating that they followed a well-developed design at a time when cementation furnaces were well understood.

Metallurgical analysis supported the view that the refractory lining of the chests (the ‘crozzle’) was derived from ‘wheelswarf’ produced by edge tool grinding. For the first time in Sheffield, it was confirmed that this crozzle extended up the interior sides of the refractory chamber. Another apparently new observation is that of the impression of the ferrous bars in the surface of the crozzle layer.

Two crucible furnaces were identified, although one was badly preserved and the other was only identified under watching brief conditions at a late stage in the works. The crucible furnaces could not be closely dated. The crucible furnaces were part of separate works (W. Fearnehough Ltd.) and there is no evidence to relate them to the cementation furnaces. Nonetheless, the presence of both types of furnace in close proximity underlines the interconnectedness of industrial trades in the great workshop of Sheffield.

To the north of the cementation furnaces was an area of slightly later development characterised by the use of black ash mortar rather than lime mortar. This area included extensive cellars supporting a network of flues. Further industrial activity was recorded in the south and the south-east part of the Site in an area of expansion of the Thomas R. Ellin/Footprint Tools works. The south-east area contained the remains of flues and a machine base.

Other areas relating to worker’s housing and public houses were investigated. Remains in these areas were generally limited to walls, surfaces and drains although there was sometimes good correlation with historic maps allowing for the identification of some structures as outbuildings and others as more substantial developments. Residential properties were recorded in close association with the various works, attesting lives closely intertwined with the work of the steel industry.

The pottery assemblage was unusually broadly dated for Sheffield and represents a significant result. The clay tobacco pipe assemblage was of interest and examples of pipes were illustrated. A medieval penny was also recovered from a 19th century context.