Rhug Hydro Scheme, Druid, Denbighshire Archaeological Desk Based Assessment Report No
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Rhug Hydro Scheme, Druid, Denbighshire Archaeological Desk Based Assessment Report no. 0001 Rhug Hydro Scheme, Druid, Denbighshire Archaeological Desk Based Assessment Report no. 0001 Project Code: A0001 Date: 15/10/2012 Client: Carter Jonas WriƩen by: Richard Cooke BA MA Figures Plates Figure 01: Site locaƟon outlined in green, scale 1:10,000 at A4. Plate 01: Iron bridge (feature 3) from the east. Figure 02: Site locaƟon outlined in green, scale 1:2000 at A4. Plate 02: Fieldwall (feature 4) from the southeast. Scale 1.0m. Figure 03: Tithe map of Gwyddelwern Parish 1841. Plate 03: Fieldwall (feature 5) from the northwest. Scale 1.0m. Figure 04: First EdiƟon County Series Ordnance Survey map Plate 04: Fishery building (feature 6) from the southwest. of 1875. Scale 1:1500 at A4. Scale 1.0m. Figure 05: Second EdiƟon County Series Ordnance Survey Plate 05: Salmon holding tanks (feature 6) from the southwest. map of 1901. Scale 1:1500 at A4. Scale 1.0m. Figure 06: DirecƟon of photographs. Scale 1:500 at A4. Plate 06: Salmon holding tanks outlet sluice (feature 6) from the northeast. Scale 1.0m. Plate 07: Fieldwall/ flood barrier (feature 7) from the northwest. Scale 1.0m. Plate 08: Trackway (feature 9) from the north. Scale 1.0m. RHUG HYDRO SCHEME, DRUID, DENBIGHSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK BASED ASSESSMENT: (A0001) 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 2.0 SPECIFICATION AND PROJECT DESIGN .............................................................. 1 3.0 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES ................................................................................ 2 3.1 Desk-top Study .......................................................................................................... 2 3.2 Field Search ............................................................................................................... 2 3.3 Report ........................................................................................................................ 2 3.4 Definitions ................................................................................................................. 3 4.0 THE STUDY AREA ..................................................................................................... 3 4.1 Topographic Description ........................................................................................... 3 4.2 Statutory and non-statutory designations ......................................................................... 3 5.0 THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT ......................................................................................... 3 5.1 Prehistoric and Roman Period ......................................................................................... 4 5.2 Early-Medieval and Medieval Periods ............................................................................. 4 5.3 Post-medieval and Modern .............................................................................................. 5 5.4 Aerial Photographs .......................................................................................................... 7 5.6 Site Gazetteer ................................................................................................................... 7 6.0 IMPACT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 9 6.1 General recommendations ............................................................................................... 9 6.1.1 Direct impact ............................................................................................................. 9 6.1.2 Indirect impact .......................................................................................................... 9 6.2 Site Specific Recommendations ...................................................................................... 9 7.0 ARCHIVE ......................................................................................................................... 10 8.0 SOURCES ........................................................................................................................ 10 APPENDIX 1 .......................................................................................................................... 13 APPENDIX 2: DEFINITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RECOMMENDATION ............. 19 RHUG HYDRO SCHEME, DRUID, DENBIGHSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK BASED ASSESSMENT: (A0001) SUMMARY Aeon Archaeology has undertaken an archaeological desk based assessment on behalf of Carter Jonas of a proposed hydro-electric scheme on the southern bank of the Afon Alwen near Druid, Denbighshire. The assessment identified nine archaeological sites within proximity to the development area, although two of which, Pont Barker and Pont Barker Bark Mill, are now demolished. The assessment established that the proposed development will have a Low Adverse Direct impact upon one archaeological site, a field boundary wall of local importance. The development will also have a High Adverse Direct impact upon three other sites (a field wall, a field boundary/ flood barrier, and a salmon trap/ fishery buildings) all considered to be of local importance. The assessment has made recommendations that a basic record be taken of the three field walls/boundaries, and that a detailed record be taken of the salmon trap/ fishery buildings prior to the commencement of works. The potential for unknown buried archaeological remains to be encountered during the construction of the proposed development is deemed to be Low and no further investigation or assessment is recommended within the proposed development area. There is however a Low to Medium potential for buried archaeological remains to be impacted upon during the excavation of a cable trench in the field to the south, to connect the scheme to the national grid. It is therefore recommended that a partial watching brief is maintained during the excavation of the cable trench. 1.0 INTRODUCTION Aeon Archaeology has been asked by Carter Jonas to undertake an archaeological desk based assessment of a small parcel of land near Druid, Denbighshire, in advance of the proposed development of a hydro-electric scheme. The proposed development area is located on the southern bank of the Afon Alwen, approximately 440.0m northeast of the village of Druid and centred on NGR SJ 04429 43709 (Figure.1 and Figure.2). The proposed scheme consists of an Archimedean turbine screw located in the river bed and on the southern bank, and housed along with the intake and discharge sections within a concrete trough. The turbine screws will be maintained and controlled via a control house and metering cubicle located adjacent to the screw. The hydro scheme will have a maximum capacity of 100kW and the anticipated life-span of the scheme is twenty years. This archaeological desk based assessment is for the proposed development area and immediate land-take, as well as the proposed trench route to connect the hydro-scheme to the national grid. It is anticipated that a certain amount of civil works will be required in order to allow plant machinery, equipment, and cranes to access the site although the details of this was not available at the time of writing this report. 2.0 SPECIFICATION AND PROJECT DESIGN A detailed brief has not been prepared for this project by Fiona Gale, the Denbighshire County Archaeologist, but recommendation has been given for an archaeological desk based assessment of the proposed development area (Fiona Gale correspondence dated 17th July 2012). The following report conforms to the guidelines specified in Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-based Assessment (Institute of Field Archaeologists, 1994, rev. 2007). 1 Aeon Archaeology’s proposals for fulfilling the requirements of the desk based assessment were, briefly, as follows: a) to identify and record the cultural heritage of the area to be affected; b) to evaluate the importance of what was identified (both as a cultural landscape and as the individual items which make up that landscape); and c) to recommend ways in which damage to the cultural heritage can be avoided or minimised. A full archaeological assessment usually comprises 6 phases: 1) Desk-top study 2) Field Search 3) Interim Draft Report 4) Detailed Field Evaluation 5) Final Draft Report 6) Final Report This assessment has covered the work required under 1, 2 and 3. It is sometimes necessary to undertake a programme of field evaluation following the desktop assessment. This is because some sites cannot be assessed by desktop or field visit alone, and additional fieldwork is required. This typically takes the form of geophysical survey and/or trial excavation, though other options, including topographic survey, is also possible. The present report makes recommendations for any field evaluation if required. 3.0 METHODS AND TECHNIQUES 3.1 Desk-top Study This involved consultation of maps, computer records, written records and reference works, which make up the Historic Environment Record (HER), located at Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, Welshpool. A range of aerial photographs were examined from the National Monuments Record, Aberystwyth dating from the 1940’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s as well as more recent colour aerial coverage. Tithe maps and Ordnance Survey maps were examined at the Denbighshire and Dolgellau archives. Information about Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments was obtained from Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments. Secondary