Hitherto lost stone cross surveyed and recorded by DM’s Archaeology team
17 February 2026Heritage protection as part of infrastructure delivery
Infrastructure projects often take place within historic environments, and clients will use Dalcour Maclaren for archaeological research within the wider work programme. However, in this instance, there was an emergency call-out when the stone cross was discovered.
Rediscovering Penzance’s historic borough centre
In November 2025, work carried out by Wales & West Utilities in the Greenmarket revealed a remarkable piece of local history. During works to replace the gas main buried within the street, a granite Cross marker which had been buried for decades was revealed, circa 150mm beneath the finished road level (beneath tarmac and sub-base).
The Archaeology and Heritage Team at Dalcour surveyed and recorded the Cross, working closely with the client and local authorities. A comprehensive report is now being prepared for Cornwall Council’s Historic Environment Record.
After the DM team had completed the necessary archaeological work, the cross was carefully reburied with a protective covering separating it from the new road surface. A surveyor took precise coordinates of the cross and, using these, a survey nail has now been placed into the road surface above the centre of the cross as a small physical reminder of the original centre of the Borough of Penzance. This simple step means the site remains acknowledged without impacting future works or obstructing the highway.
The history of the cross
Originally installed in 1829 as a marker to replace the original market cross that was removed from the centre of the highway when the road was widened, this Cornish granite stone marked the centre of the town boundary. It served as the starting point for 19th-century Beating of the Bounds ceremonies, where the mayor and civic procession would reaffirm borough limits, tracing a circle of approximately half a mile from the cross.
‘This caused quite a lot of interest locally, as the stone's location had been thought lost due to less than careful resurfacing work carried out historically. There were more than a few comments made by members of the public while we were on site, commending the positive approach toward archaeological work being undertaken by a major services supplier, and the Council’s archaeology team was equally complimentary of our client being the ones to report, record and mitigate for this find.’
Caring for the past, preparing for the future
We offer archaeological recording and reporting, historic environment compliance and risk management and mitigation.
Our team will always:
- apply rigorous archaeological protocols and maintain close collaboration with utility operators, councils and conservation bodies.
- communicate clearly with stakeholders and provide accurate documentation.
- work alongside contractors and local authorities to keep projects on track.
The Archaeology team is part of Dalcour Maclaren’s Environment & Planning services.
Specialist contact
