Tewkesbury Nature Reserve Priors Park, Tewkesbury Gloucestershire

Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

for The Environment Agency & Fugro

CA Project: 4941 CA Report: 17065

June 2017

Tewkesbury Nature Reserve Priors Park, Tewkesbury Gloucestershire

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 4941 CA Report: 17065

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 07 Charlotte Simon Cox Internal Simon February Haines review Cox 2017

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.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 4

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 5

5. RESULTS (FIG. 2) ...... 6

6. DISCUSSION ...... 8

7. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 9

8. REFERENCES ...... 9

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 11

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 14

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks and evaluation trenches (1:7,500)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Tewkesbury Nature Reserve Location: Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire NGR: SO 89814 31912 Type: Watching Brief Date: 16 June 2014 – 16 October 2014 Location of Archive: Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery Site Code: TNR 14

An archaeological evaluation and watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during the creation of a community nature reserve at Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The watching brief monitored groundworks associated with 11 ground investigation test pits, the re-profiling of four meanders and the creation of a new meander on the River Swilgate, a new wetland habitat feature, a new reed bed and a new electricity substation bund. Three archaeological evaluation trenches were also excavated, located at the site of one of the proposed new reed beds, one of the re-profiled meanders and the new wetland habitat feature.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed, and no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered. Two post-medieval/modern deposits recorded may indicate truncation in the northern part of the site in the post-medieval/modern era.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In June to October 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation and watching brief for The Environment Agency and Fugro at Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR: SO 89814 31912; Fig. 1). The evaluation and watching brief were undertaken on the recommendation of Mr Charles Parry, Senior Archaeological Officer, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), the archaeological advisor to Tewkesbury Borough Council (TBC), during the creation of a community nature reserve at the site. The works involved landscaping and alterations to the flow of the River Swilgate for the enhancement of nature conservation, and included Ground Investigation (GI) works, the creation of a new meander, the re-profiling of existing meanders, the creation of new reed beds and the construction of an electricity substation bund.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with detailed Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs) produced by CA (2014a & 2014b) and approved by TBC acting on the advice of Mr Parry. All fieldwork followed either the Standard and guidance: Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014) or the Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014).

The site

1.3 The site, which is approximately 50ha in extent, is located south-east of the historic centre of Tewkesbury in north-west Gloucestershire. It is bordered to the east and south by the A38 Eastern Relief road, Prior’s Park housing estate to the west and the A438 to the north. The site comprises 21 agricultural fields bordered by hedges.

1.4 The underlying geology of the site primarily comprises Saltford Shale Mudstone Formations and Wilmcote Limestone Formation (BGS 2013). Superficial deposits of alluvial clay, silt, sand and gravel are also present on the site, focused around the course of the River Swilgate (ibid.). The site lies between c. 13.5m and c. 10.5m AOD.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 A Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) of the site and a wider study area around it was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in 2013 (CA 2013), and reference to this document should be made for a full archaeological background. However, in summary, part of the designated site of the Battle of Tewkesbury is located within the south east of the site, and there are two scheduled monuments, one Registered park and garden and a listed building within the study area. Large- scale archaeological excavations have taken place both within the site as part of the development of the A38 Tewkesbury Eastern Relief Road (TERR; Thomas, Bateman and Walker 1997), and to the east during later housing development.

2.2 These previous excavations have recorded Prehistoric activity dating from the Neolithic to the Iron-Age periods, and Romano-British activity and settlement both within the site and DBA study area, in addition to the putative route of a Roman road. Evidence for medieval activity within the site and study area includes the Registered Battlefield of the Battle of Tewkesbury, and evidence for medieval farming of the area, including ridge and furrow and the site of historic water meadows (CA 2013).

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation and watching brief were:

 to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality, in accordance with Standard and guidance: Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014) and Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014).

 at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

4. METHODOLOGY

Archaeological Watching Brief 4.1 The watching brief followed the methodology set out within the WSIs (CA 2014a & 2014b). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the excavation of 11 GI test pits (TPs 1-11), the creation of new reed bed 7b (Area 12), the re-profiling of 4 meanders (Areas 101, 201, 401 & 901), the creation of a new meander (Area 501), the creation of a new wetland habitat feature (Area 601), and the creation of a new bund around an electricity substation (Area 301) (Fig. 2).

4.2 Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual.

4.3 Due to the site’s proximity to the site of the Battle of Tewkesbury, the ground surface, before and after stripping, and spoil heaps, were each scanned with a metal detector.

Archaeological Evaluation 4.4 In addition to the watching brief, three evaluation trenches were excavated. One in the location of a re-profiled meander, Trench 701, one in the location of the new wetland habitat feature, Trench 801, and one in the location of new reed bed 7a,Trench 1001 (Fig 2). The trenches measured approximately 2m in width and approximately 16m, 24m and 62m in length respectively.

4.5 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the natural substrate. The trenches were surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual.

4.6 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites, however, no deposits were identified that required sampling. Furthermore, despite visual scanning and metal detecting of spoil, no artefacts pre-dating the modern period were recovered during fieldwork.

4.7 The archive from the fieldwork is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble and will be deposited with Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery in due course. A

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIG. 2)

Ground Investigation, Test Pits 1-11 (Fig. 2) 5.1 The excavation of 11 ground investigation (GI) test pits (TPs 1-11) was observed during the watching brief. The test pits were located across multiple fields on land immediately to both the east and west of the River Swilgate (Fig. 2) and measured 1.2m in width, approximately 3m in length and were a maximum of 2.5m in depth.

5.2 Natural geological substrate comprising blue/brown clay was observed in all the test pits at a depth of between 0.22m to 0.82m below present ground level (bpgl). In test pits 4, 5 and 7, the natural substrate was sealed by a layer of grey/brown alluvial clay. A number of fragments of post-medieval pottery and ceramic building material (CBM) were present within the alluvium, but were noted and not retained. The alluvium in test pits 4, 5 and 7, and the natural substrate in test pits 1-3, 6 & 8-11, were sealed by a layer of grey silty clay subsoil which was between 0.12m and 0.45m in thickness. Topsoil, comprising dark grey/brown silty clay, sealed the subsoil and typically measured 0.15m in depth.

5.3 East/west aligned modern ceramic land drains were observed in test pits 7 and 11, but no features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed in any of the test pits. . 5.4 Despite visual scanning, and metal detecting of the ground surface and of the spoil, no artefactual material pre-dating the post-medieval period was recovered, and none was retained.

Re-profiled Meanders, Areas 101, 201, 401 & 901 & Trench 701, New Meander, Area 501 & New Wetland Habitat Feature, Area 601 & Trench 801 (Fig. 2) 5.5 A watching brief was undertaken during the excavation of four meander re-profiles (Areas 101, 201, 401 and 901), a new meander (Area 501) and a new wetland habitat feature (Area 601) in the locations shown on Figure 2. Additionally two evaluation trenches were excavated. Trench 701 was located within meander re- profile Area 901, and measured 2.2m in width and 16.2m in length. Trench 801 was

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

located within the area of the new wetland habitat feature, Area 601, and measured 2.1m in width and 24m in length.

5.6 The earliest deposit exposed in Areas 101, 201, 401, 501 & 901 and Trenches 701 and 801, was natural substrate comprising blue/grey clay, at a depth of between 0.6m bpgl and 1.3m bpgl. In Areas 101, 501 & 901 and Trenches 701 & 801 the natural substrate was sealed by layers of alluvial clay which varied in thickness between 0.35m and 0.83m. In Area 201, a dumped spread of dark brown silty clay 20103, which contained charcoal and post-medieval and modern artefacts (noted but not retained), was recorded. This spread directly overlay the natural substrate and was sealed by alluvial deposits. In the north-western corner of Trench 701 an undated deposit of ashes and charcoal 70102, was revealed in section between two alluvial layers. Subsoil comprising light grey silty clay was recorded in Areas 401, 501, 601 and Trench 801. In Area 401 the subsoil directly overlay the natural substrate, whilst in Area 501 and in Trench 801 it sealed the alluvium. The subsoil was the earliest deposit revealed in Area 601. Topsoil deposits comprising brown grey silty clay typically 0.2m in thickness, were recorded in all areas and trenches. In Areas 101, 201 and 901 and Trench 701 the topsoil sealed the alluvium, whilst in Areas 401, 501 and 601 and Trench 801 it sealed the subsoil.

5.7 No archaeological features were revealed in any of the areas or trenches. A north- west/south-east oriented ceramic land drain was observed in the area of the new wetland habitat feature (Area 601). No finds pre-dating the post-medieval/modern period were observed, and none were retained.

New Substation Bund, Area 301 (Fig. 2) 5.8 The earliest deposit revealed during the watching brief at the site of the new substation bund (Area 301) was subsoil comprising yellow/grey sandy clay at a depth of approximately 0.15m bpgl. It was sealed by dark grey brown silty clay topsoil which contained frequent modern debris. No archaeological features or deposits were observed.

New Reed Bed 7a, Trench 1001 (Fig. 2) 5.9 An evaluation trench was excavated across the area of proposed new reed bed 7a. The trench measured 2m in width and 62m in length. Natural substrate was recorded at approximately 0.85m bpgl and comprised grey/blue clay. It was sealed by a layer of alluvium which was approximately 0.35m in depth. The alluvium was

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

sealed by c. 0.25m of red/brown silty clay subsoil which was in turn sealed by grey silty clay topsoil. No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed within the evaluation trench, and despite visual scanning of spoil and metal detecting, no artefactual material was recovered.

New Reed Bed 7b, Area 12 (Fig. 2) 5.10 A watching brief was undertaken during groundworks associated with the creation of a new reed bed in the location shown on Figure 2. The new reed bed area covered approximately 1200m², with maximum dimensions of c. 40m north to south and c. 37m east to west. A north to south trench measuring 2m in width and 22m in length was excavated within the area to establish the depth of the natural substrate.

5.11 Natural geological substrate comprising yellow brown clay was revealed at a depth of approximately 0.6m bpgl. The natural substrate was sealed by a layer of dark grey brown loamy clay which measured 0.1m in depth. This deposit was sealed by c. 0.18m of subsoil which comprised dark grey silty clay which was in turn sealed by topsoil which was typically 0.12m in thickness.

5.12 No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed, and no finds pre- dating the post-medieval period were recovered, and none were retained.

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the site (see Archaeological Background above), the watching brief and evaluation identified no archaeological remains within the areas of observed groundworks. The absence of archaeological deposits may indicate that remains associated with prehistoric and Roman settlement activity, with medieval farming on site, and with the site of the Battle of Tewkesbury, have been previously removed, or did not extend significantly beyond the areas previously investigated within the site (Fig. 2). The presence of the post-medieval/modern spread (20103) in meander re-profile Area 201, which directly overlay the natural substrate, suggests post-medieval/modern truncation in this part of the site. Furthermore this suggests the alluvium in this area, which sealed spread 20103, does not pre-date the post-medieval/modern era. This is further attested to by the presence of deposit 70102, in Trench 701, also located in the northern part of the

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

site, which lay between layers of alluvium and is also likely to be of post- medieval/modern date.

6.2 In the southern area of the site, Trench 1001 and test pits 8 and 9 lay within the former area of Site C of the TERR excavations of the mid-1990s (see Fig. 2 for location relative to the current investigation areas), and the negative results from investigation of these areas suggest that all archaeological remains of the extensive Roman agricultural settlement enclosure excavated there were removed at or around that time. It is possible that groundworks during the relief road construction programme, undertaken subsequent to the TERR archaeological excavations, may have contributed to the further truncation of archaeological remains in other parts of the site, although this is not documented.

7. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Jeremy Mordue, Jonathon Orellana, Sam Wilson and Tom Weavill. The report was written by Charlotte Haines. The illustrations were prepared by Sam O’Leary. The archive has been compiled and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Simon Cox.

8. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2015 Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed April 2013

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Heritage Desk-Based Assessment: Land to west of the A38, South-East Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. CA Report number 13187

CA 2014a Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

CA 2014b Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for Archaeological Mitigation

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

Thomas, A., Bateman, C. and Walker, G. 1997 ‘Tewkesbury Eastern Relief Road Excavations’, Glevensis 30, 23-25

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Ground Investigation Test Pits (TPs 1-11) Test Context Type Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth/thickn Spot-date pit No. interpretation ess (m) No. 1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown silty clay 3 1.2 0.25 1 101 Layer Subsoil Light brown silty clay 3 1.2 0.45 1 102 Layer Natural Blue brown clay 3 1.2 2 200 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown silty clay 3.2 1.2 0.15 2 201 Layer Subsoil/ Mid grey brown silty clay 3.2 1.2 0.17 2 202 Layer Natural Blue brown clay 3.2 1.2 3 300 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown silty clay 2.9 1.2 0.13 3 301 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty clay 2.9 1.2 0.17 3 302 Layer Natural Blue brown clay 2.9 1.2 4 400 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clay silt with 2.7 1.2 0.14 substantial root intrusion 4 401 Layer Subsoil Mid brown silty clay with 2.7 1.2 0.32 substantial root intrusion 4 402 Layer Alluvium Blue grey brown silty clay 2.7 1.2 0.36 with orange mottling common and charcoal 4 403 Layer Natural Light grey brown clay 2.7 1.2 5 500 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clay silt 3 1.2 0.15 5 501 Layer Subsoil Mid brown silty clay with 3 1.2 0.12 substantial root intrusion 5 502 Layer Alluvium Blue grey brown silty clay 3 1.2 0.23 with orange mottling common and charcoal 5 503 Layer Natural Light grey brown clay 3 1.2 6 600 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clay silt 2.9 1.2 0.16 6 601 Layer Subsoil Mid brown silty clay with 2.9 1.2 0.10 substantial root intrusion 6 602 Layer Natural Light grey brown clay 2.9 1.2 7 700 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clay silt 5 1.2 0.14 7 701 Layer Subsoil Mid brown silty clay with 5 1.2 0.39 substantial root intrusion

7 702 Layer Alluvium Blue grey brown silty clay 5 1.2 0.24 with orange mottling common and charcoal 7 703 Layer Natural Light grey brown clay 5 1.2 8 800 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown clay silt 3.1 1.2 0.07 8 801 Layer Subsoil Mottled mid blue brown 3.1 1.2 0.18 clay silt 8 802 Layer Natural Light blue clay with light 3.1 1.2 green brown mottling 9 900 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown clay silt 3 1.2 0.07 9 901 Layer Subsoil Mottled mid blue brown 3 1.2 0.15 clay silt 9 902 Layer Natural Light blue clay with light 3 1.2 green brown mottling 10 1000 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown clay silt 3.1 1.2 0.05 with common large roots 10 1001 Layer Subsoil Mottled mid blue brown 3.1 1.2 0.31 clay silt 10 1002 Layer Natural Light blue clay with 3.1 1.2 abundant light green

11 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

brown mottling 11 1100 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown clay silt 3.2 1.2 0.1 11 1101 Layer Subsoil Mottled mid blue brown 3.2 1.2 0.13 clay silt 11 1102 Layer Natural Light blue clay with light 3.2 1.2 green brown mottling

Re-profiled Meanders (Areas 101, 201, 401 & 901 & Trench 701), New Meander (Area 501) & New Wetland Habitat Feature (Area 601 & Trench 801) Area / Context Type Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth/ Spot-date Trench No. interpretation thickness No. (m) 101 10100 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown silty clay 60 21 0.2 101 10101 Layer Alluvium Mid yellow grey silty clay 60 21 0.15 101 10102 Layer Alluvium Mid grey silty clay 60 21 0.35 101 10103 Layer Natural Firm mid blue grey silty 60 21 substrate clay with gravel patches 201 20100 Layer Topsoil Mid grey brown silty clay 29 18 0.2 201 20101 Layer Alluvium Mid yellow grey silty clay 29 18 0.28 201 20102 Layer Alluvium Light grey yellow silty 29 18 0.55 clay 201 20103 Layer Dumped Dark brown silty clay 11 1.1 0.05 P-med/ deposit containing white china Modern pottery and clay pipe 401 40100 Layer Topsoil Mid grey black silty clay 21 12 0.2 401 40101 Layer Alluvium Light grey silty clay 21 12 0.21 401 40102 Layer Natural Firm mid yellow grey clay 21 12 Substrate 501 50100 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown silty clay 51 14 0.22 501 50101 Layer Subsoil Light yellow grey silty 51 14 0.15 clay 501 50102 Layer Alluvium Mid yellow grey silty clay 51 14 0.5 501 50103 Layer Natural Mid blue grey silty clay 51 14 Substrate 601 60100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey silty clay 71 32 0.2 601 60101 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow grey silty clay 71 32 0.17 601 60102 Layer Alluvium Mid yellow grey silty clay 71 32 0.45 601 60103 Layer Natural Firm mid blue grey silty 71 32 Substrate clay with orange mottling 701 70100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey silty clay 16.2 2.2 0.15 701 70101 Layer Alluvium Light yellow grey silty 16.2 2.2 0.3 clay 701 70102 Layer Dumped Dark grey black silt with >2.9 0.4 0.1 Modern deposit substantial charcoal 701 70103 Layer Alluvium Mid grey silty clay 16.2 2.2 0.2 701 70104 Layer Alluvium Light grey yellow silty 16.2 2.2 0.6 clay 701 70105 Layer Natural Firm green grey clay with 16.2 2.2 Substrate manganese patches 801 80100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey silty clay 24 2.1 0.2 801 80101 Layer Subsoil Light grey brown silty 24 2.1 0.17 clay 801 80102 Layer Alluvium Mid yellow grey silty clay 24 2.1 0.48 801 80103 Layer Natural Firm mid blue grey silty 24 2.1 Substrate clay with orange mottling 901 90100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey silty clay 40 17 0.15

12 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

901 90101 Layer Alluvium Light yellow grey silty 40 17 0.3 clay 901 90102 Layer Natural Firm green grey clay with 40 17 Substrate manganese patches

New Substation Bund (Area 301) Area Context Type Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth/ Spot-date No. No. interpretation thickness (m) 301 30100 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown silty clay 44 2 0.15 with frequent modern inclusions 301 30101 Layer Subsoil Mid yellowish grey sandy 44 2 0.15 clay with orange mottling

New Reed Bed 7a (Trench 1001) Trench Context Type Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth/ Spot-date No. No. interpretation thickness (m) 1001 100100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey silty sand 62 2.2 0.25 1001 100101 Layer Subsoil Light red brown silty sand 62 2.2 0.25 1001 100102 Layer Alluvium Mid blue grey silty clay 62 2.2 0.35 1001 100103 Layer Natural Firm grey blue clay with 62 2.2 substrate white patches

New Reed Bed 7b (Area 12) Area Context Type Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth/ Spot-date No. No. interpretation thickness (m) 12 1200 Layer Topsoil Dark grey loamy clay 40 37 0.12 12 1201 Layer Subsoil Dark grey silty clay 40 37 0.18 12 1202 Layer Rooting Dark brown silty clay 40 37 0.1 horizon 12 1203 Layer Natural Yellow brown clay 40 37 substrate

13 © Cotswold Archaeology Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Short description An archaeological evaluation and watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during the creation of a community nature reserve at Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The watching brief monitored groundworks associated with eleven ground investigation test pits, the re-profiling of four meanders and the creation of a new meander on the River Swilgate, a new wetland habitat feature, a new reed bed and a new electricity substation bund. Three archaeological evaluation trenches were also excavated, located at the site of one of the proposed new reed beds, one of the re-profiled meanders and the new wetland habitat feature.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed, and no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered. Two post-medieval/modern deposits recorded, may indicate truncation in the northern part of the site in the post- medieval/modern era. Project dates June – October 2014 Project type Watching Brief and Evaluation

Previous work DBA (CA 2013)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Study area (M2/ha) 50ha Site co-ordinates SO 89814 31912 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Project Design (WSI) originator CA Project Manager Simon Cox Project Supervisor Jeremy Mordue, Jonathon Orellana, Tom Weavill, Sam Wilson MONUMENT TYPE None 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 Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery Trench sheets, Context sheets Digital Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery Digital photos, Survey data BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Tewkesbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation. CA typescript report 17065

14 8888 8899 9900 9911

3355

3344

3333

3322

3311

N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 WO Cotswold RC Exeter 01392 826185 ES WARWICKSHIRE T Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 E R w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk S H e [email protected] COUNTY OF IR HEREFORDSHIRE E PROJECT TITLE Tewksbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

MONM GLOUCESTERSHIRE FIGURE TITLE

O UTHSHIRE Site location plan 0 1km

A FIGURE NO. SOUTH Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY SO PROJECT NO. 4941 GLOUCESTERSHIRE the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 06/02/2017 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY SC SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 9900

TTERRERR SiteSite E

Area 901 TTP7P7 TTrenchrench 701701 AArearea 330101 Area 401

TTP4P4 Area 201

3322 TTP5P5

TTP6P6 TTP10P10 TTP11P11

TTP9P9

TTP8P8 TTERRERR SSiteite C TTrenchrench 10011001

AArearea 1122

TTP3P3 Area 101 Area 601 TTrenchrench 880101 TTP2P2 Area 501

TTP1P1

N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Site boundary Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk Observed groundworks e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE Evaluation trench Tewksbury Nature Reserve, Priors Park, Test pit Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire TERR (Tewkesbury Eastern Relief Road) FIGURE TITLE excavation site The site, showing location of observed groundworks and evaluation trenches

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY SO/AO PROJECT NO. 4941 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller 0 250m CHECKED BY DJB DATE 22/06/2017 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY SC SCALE@A4 1:7500 2