Marston’s Site Gloucester Quays Gloucester

Archaeological Watching Brief

for URS on behalf of Carter Lauren Construction

CA Project: 2498 CA Report: 12092

April 2012

Marston’s Site Gloucester Quays Gloucester

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 2498 CA Report: 12092

prepared by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

date 24 April 2012

checked by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

date 24 April 2012

approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

signed

date 24 April 2012

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ t. 01285 771022 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS ...... 6

3. DISCUSSION...... 8

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 9

5. REFERENCES ...... 9

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 11 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 13

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25, 000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of observed groundworks (1:500)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays Location: Gloucester Quays, Gloucester NGR: SO 8230 1793 Type: Watching Brief Date: January-February 2012 SMC: S00016831 Location of Archive: To be deposited with Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery Site Code: GQC11

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during drainage groundworks associated with the construction of a new public house forming part of the Gloucester Quays development (also known as Llanthony Wharf), Gloucester.

The work identified possible shallow channels of the former course of the Sudbook, sealed by extensive dumped deposits, presumed to date to the construction of the nearby Gloucester and Berkeley Canal in the 1790s, and further deposits related to subsequent industrial use of the site. No deposits or structures were revealed relating to the medieval or post-medieval Llanthony Priory precinct within which the site lies.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In January and February 2012 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for URS on behalf of Carter Lauren Construction at Gloucester Quays, Gloucester (centred on NGR: SO 8230 1793; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for construction of a new public house for Marston’s PLC, at the junction of St. Ann Way and Llanthony Road, part of the Gloucester Quays development (also known as Llanthony Wharf) and associated works. The work was also undertaken under Scheduled Monument Consent ref. S00016831. The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by URS (2011) and approved by Melanie Barge, Inspector Of Ancient Monuments, English Heritage and Jonathan Smith, Heritage Service Manager, Gloucester City Council. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2008), the Statement of Standards and Practices Appropriate for Archaeological Fieldwork in Gloucestershire issued by Gloucestershire County Council Archaeology Section (1995), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006).

The site

1.3 The site is bounded to the north and east by open ground within the Scheduled Monument of Llanthony Priory (SAM 337), to the west by Llanthony Road and to the south by St Ann Way (Fig. 2). The site lies at approximately 10.5m AOD.

1.4 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Blue Lias formation and Charmouth Mudstone formation of the Lower Jurassic period overlain by tidal flat deposits (sand, silt and clay) of the quaternary period (BGS 2011). A greyish blue lias clay was revealed at the base of the observed excavations.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

Archaeological background

1.5 The historical background of Llanthony Wharf is covered in detail in the Environmental Statement (Scott Wilson 2004). Llanthony Wharf includes the site of Llanthony Secunda Priory (SAM 337), an Augustinian priory founded in 1136. Recent work suggests that the site of the main church and cloister complex lie to the north, outside the Scheduled Monument area (URS/Scott Wilson 2011).

1.6 The site includes an area of former orchard, which later became ‘Sizes Ground’. This extended from the northern end of the priory buildings complex and churchyard to the outer precinct wall of the former priory (Scott Wilson 2003).

1.7 After the dissolution of the priory in 1538, the site was sold. The church continued to be used as a parish church, with part of the adjacent cloister converted to a private dwelling. The former priory suffered substantial damage during the Civil War and by the end of the 1660s the church and the house had been demolished. By the early 18th century little remained of the former church and cloister. Surviving buildings were let for agricultural purposes, and in 1912 a horn works was established within the complex. More recently, the site has been used for industrial purposes, including as a scrap yard (URS/Scott Wilson 2011).

1.8 Construction of the Gloucester and Berkeley canal in the 1790s bisected the former churchyard, cutting through some of the claustral buildings and leaving small areas on either side of the canal. In 1846 of a number of Norman pillars to the west of the line of the canal. The later widening of the waterway in 1852 led to the discovery of stone walls, a drain, two stone coffins, encaustic tiles, fragments of stone arches and sections of windows and doors, as well as a quantity of human bone. During the latter half of the 19th century development in this area was dominated by the construction of the railways which extended through the priory site towards Monk Meadow, to the south (Scott Wilson 2003).

1.9 An archaeological evaluation carried out by Cotswold Archaeology in early 2011 in advance of this development revealed a limestone wall, associated floor surface and substantial drain, as well as the partial remains of a post-medieval wall (Trenches E1 and E2, Fig. 2; CA 2011a). An archaeological evaluation trench previously excavated by CA (Trench B5, Fig. 2) did not identify the presence of archaeological

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

deposits close to the proposed development area. Further to the east, stone walls and surfaces have recently been revealed in an evaluation (Fig. 2, Trenches B4-B6). These remains range in date from the medieval to the post-medieval periods. Deposits associated with the construction of the canal at the end of the 18th century and the industrial development of the area that followed were also widely observed (URS/Scott Wilson 2011).

1.10 Further archaeological evaluation in May 2011 (Trench E3, Fig. 2) identified deposits probably associated with the Sudbrook stream which lay to the south of the site. A robbed-out wall was also recorded along with deposits relating to the industrial development and use of the site (CA 2011b).

1.11 To the north-east of the present site in the area of the Gloscat College a number of investigations have taken place. Investigations by CA identified medieval walls in trenches C3S, C3N and C4, which are probably the remains of the western claustral range of Llanthony Secunda Priory. It is likely that these walls were subsequently utilised within the post-medieval mansion house, built within the western range of the cloisters (Watts and Hughes 2004). In 2005 Oxford Archaeology (OA) conducted an excavation to the east of the present site in advance of the construction of the new Gloscat College. The preliminary results suggest that the OA excavation area lay to the south of the priory’s cloister and that the church and most, if not all the cloister itself have been destroyed by the works associated with the construction of the canal basin and/or the railway sidings (URS/Scott Wilson 2011).

1.12 No evidence for any priory remains were identified within trenches B1, B2 (south- east of the present site) and B5. Indeed, each of these trenches revealed a broadly comparable sequence of considerable quantities of overburden, possibly attributable to modern build up in the 1960s (URS/Scott Wilson 2011).

1.13 A watching brief was carried out by CA in 2011 on the access road to the development immediately to the east of this site (CA 2011c). No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

Methodology

1.14 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (URS/Scott Wilson 2011). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the excavation of drainage trenches, manhole locations and an attenuation tank.

1.15 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.16 The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble and will be deposited with Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS

2.1 While forming a continuous run of service trenches, of variable depth, the groundworks were carried out in discrete phases; these were recorded as, and identified by, individual trench numbers (Fig. 2, Trenches 4 to 9). The depth of the trenches and the instability of the ground generally precluded entry to deeper trenches on health and safety grounds, although it was possible to record the sequences exposed and make archaeological interpretations of the deposits identified, particularly using the results of the previous archaeological investigations.

2.2 Trench 4 The construction of an attenuation tank required the excavation of a trench approximately 33m long to a maximum depth of 2.6m below present ground level (bpgl). The depth of the trench and instability of the edges meant it was not possible to enter the trench but it was possible to record the sequence in section. The natural clay substrate 407 was encountered at a depth of 1.50m bpgl, overlain in places by alluvium 406 which was apparently filling a depression within it. Within the upper surface of 406, towards the southern end of the trench, a shallow depression 408 contained a very thin organic-rich deposit in its base and a silty alluvial fill 410,

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

above which was a layer of rubble 411. It was unclear whether this was a cut feature or simply an erosion episode as the southern edge of it was obscured. Above this was a thin deposit of decayed vegetation 405, sealed by a thick deposit of redeposited clay 404 which ran along the full length of the trench. Also sealed by 404 and cutting through the clay 407 at the very southern end of the trench were features 414/416 and 418, which may have been former stream channels or ditches running approximately east-west; 418, filled by 417 was the earliest and was flat- bottomed. This was cut by 414/416. No dating evidence was recovered from these features. Above this were a series of modern dumps and surfaces.

2.3 Trench 5 Excavated for a length of 7.5m and to a maximum depth of 0.9m below present ground level (bpgl), the trench contained a simple sequence of dumped deposits and 501/502 lay immediately below the modern surface 500. The corner of a brick structure 503/504, possibly a former manhole, was observed, its upper level just below the modern surface.

2.4 Trench 6 A trench 49m long, dug to a maximum depth bpgl of 2.3m, reached as far as the natural greeny-blue natural clay 604 towards the base of the trench. At the east end of the trench, immediately above this, was a thin layer of clay silt 608, sealed by 607, a deposit 0.7m deep containing well-preserved vegetative matter. This had been sealed by 603, an extensive and deep dump of clay, up to 0.90m thick, which was in turn covered by a charcoal rich ashy layer 606, a dump of brick and stone rubble 602. Sealing these were modern surfaces 601, 605 and 600.

2.5 Trench 7 Excavated to maximum depth of 0.9m bpgl, a simple deposit sequence was recorded, consisting of grey brown soil 705 at the base of the trench, sealed by sand 705, a charcoal-rich ashy layer 703 and clay 702 below modern surfaces 700 and 701.

2.6 Trench 8 A trench excavated over a length of 57m to a maximum depth of 2.3m bpgl. At the extreme east end of the trench the earliest deposit recorded was 805, at least 0.8m thick deep containing well-preserved organic vegetation, very similar in appearance to 605 in Trench 6, although it was not possible to enter the trench to examine it in

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

detail. The eastern edge of 805 sloped at an angle of 450, and was covered by 804, a dumped clay deposit (similar to 603), the upper edge of which also sloped at the same angle, and was covered by 803/804, a deposit consisting mainly of slag in a sandy matrix, containing occasional bricks. The angled form of all three of these deposits suggests sequential dumping rather than the creation of cut features. Directly above the upper surface of all these deposits was the concrete floor 802 of a modern brick building extending at least 10m from the eastern end of the trench, sealed by modern dump 801 and surface 800. A similar deposit sequence was seen elsewhere in the trench, with the exception of the organic-rich layer, with a dumped clay 813 overlain by the slag-rich deposit 812, and a sandy silt 814, all sealed by modern deposits and surfaces.

2.7 Trench 9 A trench of 6m length to 3.1m depth had simple sequence of probable natural clay at the base, its upper surface about 2.2m bpgl, covered by a 0.25m thick organic- rich deposit 902, sealed by 1.3m thick redeposited clay, with occasional brick and stone fragments, beneath modern dumps and surfaces.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The watching brief confirmed the results of the previous evaluation within the site; the deposit sequence was identical or very similar, with only variations of types of material. Unfortunately no pre-modern artefacts were recovered to date the sequence but it is possible to fit the sequence into the established site deposit model. The identification of the organic-rich deposit in several areas (Trenches 4, 6, 8 and 9) is of note; although not previously seen in evaluation trenches, given its level and position in the sequence, its form in Trench 8, its variable thickness and its extent across the site, it seems unlikely to be in situ, and is therefore presumed to be redeposited. The preservation of the organic material within it seems due to the fact that it was sealed by the thick redeposited natural clay which has been identified as being part of the construction of the nearby canal and which was ubiquitous in all deeper trenches. It is considered probable therefore that the organic deposit was excavated and dumped at the same time (or in fact immediately before) as the clay, possibly from within the fill of the former channels of the Sudbook where the route of the canal crossed it, or simply from land clearance for the canal construction. In this context the possible existence of channels 414/416, 418 and 408 (with its thin

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

organic basal fill) within the upper surface of the natural clay and alluvium in Trench 4 may be relevant in demonstrating the conditions in which such material may have formed; these may be former courses of the wider Sudbrook prior to its management and subsequent culverting, as they are sealed by the thick clay deposit.

3.2 The absence of archaeological deposits of medieval and earlier post-medieval date may indicate that structural remains including stone drains, walls and surfaces associated with Llanthony Secunda Priory either do not extend as far as or were not exposed by the development (the remains of the stone drain found in the earlier evaluation were securely preserved in situ by management of the levels of impact of drainage within the site and this may apply to other features also), or that they may have been removed during previous development

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Stuart Joyce, Chiz Harward and Steve Sheldon. The report was written by Mark Collard. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Stuart Joyce, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Mark Collard.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2011 http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer/

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2003 Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Evaluation. CA Report No. 03130

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011a Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 11065

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011b Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 11130

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011c Gloucester Quays Phase E Access Road, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 11309

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

Hughes, P. 2003 Llanthony/High Orchard, Gloucester: a historical evaluation of the impact of canal, railway and industrial development. GADARG Essay 10. Typescript report.

Scott Wilson 2003 Gloucester Quays Urban Regeneration: Specification for Archaeological Evaluation (Phase 2).

Scott Wilson, 2004 Gloucester Quays Urban Regeneration. Environmental Statement.

URS/Scott Wilson 2011 Gloucester Quays Marston’s: Written Scheme of Investigation for Archaeological Watching Brief. April 2011.

Watts M., and Hughes, P. 2004 ‘Gloucester Quays: Llanthony Priory redefined?’ Glevensis 37, 19-28

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 4

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 400 Layer Modern surface 0.1 401 Layer Modern make-up 0.35 402 Layer Modern dump/hardcore 0.35 403 Layer Redeposited clay, disturbed 0.2 404 Layer Redeposited clay 0.8 405 Layer Dark brown organic-rich deposit with visible wood 0.2 and vegetation fragments 406 Layer Alluvium 1.0+ 406 Layer Alluvium 1.0+ 407 Layer Natural substrate: dark greyish blue Lias clay 408 Cut Former channel or ditch? 5.5+ 0.35 409 Layer Organic deposit in base of cut 408 0.1 410 Layer Greeny grey silty clay upper fill of 408 0.3 411 Layer Layer of rubble over area of 410 0.1 412 Cut Modern cut 6.5 1.4 413 Layer Fill of 412 1.4 414 Cut Cut of channel/ditch; flat-bottomed 5.0+ 5.1 1.0 415 Layer Dark brown/black sandy fill of 414 0.8 416 Layer Grey silty clay fill of 414 0.45 417 Layer Grey-brown clay silt fill of 418 0.6 418 Cut Cut of channel/ditch; flat-bottomed 7.5+ 1.5+ 0.6+

Trench 5

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 500 Layer Modern surface 0.3 501 Layer Modern dumped deposit 0.3 502 Layer Redeposited clay 0.3+ 503 Structure Brick wall, manhole? 0.23+ 0.11+ 0.6+ 504 Structure Brick wall, manhole? 0.65+

Trench 6

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 600 Layer Modern surface 0.1 601 Layer Cement floor 0.2 602 Layer Dump – ash, charcoal, brick, concrete 0.6 603 Layer Redeposited clay 0.2- 1.73m 604 Layer Natural substrate: dark greyish blue Lias clay 605 Layer Tarmac and hardcore 606 Layer Charcoal and ash 0.2 607 Layer Dark brown organic-rich deposit with visible wood 0.7 and vegetation fragments 608 Layer Grey brown silty clay nk

11 © Cotswold Archaeology Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays: Archaeological Watching Brief

Trench 7

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 700 Layer Modern surface 0.15 701 Layer Cement and hardcore surface 0.3 702 Layer Grey brown silty clay 0.3 703 Layer Ash and charcoal 0.2 704 Layer Red sand and crushed brick 0.2 705 Layer Dark grey brown silty clay uk

Trench 8

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 800 Layer Modern surface 0.45 801 Layer Modern dumped deposit 0.45 802 Layer Modern concrete floor and hardcore .35 803 Layer Modern dumped deposit containing much slag and 1.5+ sand, metal and brick 804 Layer Redeposited blue clay 0.6 805 Layer Dark brown organic-rich deposit with visible wood 0.8+ and vegetation fragments 806 Cut CA evaluation trench E1 807 Layer Backfill of CA evaluation trench E1 808 Cut CA evaluation trench E1 809 Layer Backfill of CA evaluation trench E1 810 Cut Cut for manhole 811 1.0+ 811 Structure Brick manhole chamber wall 812 Layer Same as 803 813 Layer Same as 804 814 Layer Dark grey brown sandy silt 0.25 815 Layer Concrete floor 0.2 816 Layer Sand and gravel make-up of 816 0.05

Trench 9

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 900 Layer Modern surface 0.7 901 Layer Modern dump 1.3 902 Layer Dark brown organic-rich deposit with visible wood 0.25 and vegetation fragments 903 Layer Natural substrate: Dark greyish blue Lias clay 0.85+

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APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Gloucester Quays Phase E Access Road Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during drainage groundworks associated with the construction of a new public house forming part of the Gloucester Quays development (also known as Llanthony Wharf), Gloucester.

The work identified possible channels of the former course of the Sudbook, sealed by extensive dumped deposits, presumed to date to the construction of the nearby Gloucester and Berkeley Canal in the 1790s, and further deposits related to subsequent industrial use of the site. No deposits or structures were revealed relating to the medieval or post-medieval Llanthony Priory precinct, within which the site lies.

Project dates January-February 2012 Project type Watching Brief (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation etc)

Previous work Field Evaluation CA 2011

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, Gloucestershire Study area (M2/ha) 0.4ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 8230 1793

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Project Design (WSI) originator URS Scott Wilson

Project Manager Mark Collard Project Supervisor Stuart Joyce MONUMENT TYPE Priory SM GC337 SIGNIFICANT FINDS none PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc)

Physical n/a n/a Paper Gloucester City Museum and Art Trench sheet Gallery Digital Gloucester City Museum and Art Digital photos Gallery BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Martson’s Site, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 12092

13 site

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Gloucestershire Marston’s Site, Gloucester Quays Gloucester

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 2498 DATE 25-04-2012 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY LG REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1