South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Road Sections at Yscir Yscir Powys Archaeological Evaluation and Excavations

South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Road sections at Yscir Yscir Powys Archaeological Evaluation and Excavations

for Rhead Group on behalf of National Grid CA Project: 9150 CA Report: 13325 Event: CPAT102846

January 2014

South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11

Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

CA Project: 9150 CA Report: 13325 Event: CPAT102846

prepared by Luke Brannlund, Project Supervisor

date 21 January 2014

checked by Karen E Walker, Post-Excavation Manager

date 20 July 2015

approved by Martin Watts, Project Director, Head of Publications

signed

date

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.

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Office 49 Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Basepoint Business Centre Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Caxton Close, Andover Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS Hampshire, SP10 3FG t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 326549 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2–4) ...... 5

3. PROJECT TEAM ...... 8

4. REFERENCES ...... 9

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

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 17

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE BY JAMES RACKHAM .... 21

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Plan and section of Site 49.05 (1:200 and 1:50) Fig. 3 Plan of trench 50.01 (1:50) Fig. 4 Plan and section of Site 50.11 (1:50) Fig. 5 Photograph: Roman road section at Site 49.05 after cleaning, looking south-west Fig. 6 Photograph: Roman road section at Site 50.11 during cleaning, looking south-west Fig. 5 Photograph: Roman road section at Site 50.11 after cleaning, looking south-west

GLOSSARY CA – Cotswold Archaeology CAP – Cambrian Archaeological Projects CPAT – Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust DAT – Dyfed Archaeological Trust GGAT - Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust FTP – Felindre to Brecon gas pipeline HER – Historic Environment Record MHA – Milford Haven to Aberdulais gas pipeline NAL – Network Archaeology Ltd NLMJV – Nacap Land & Marine Joint Venture UPD – Updated Project Design

1 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Summary

Project Name: South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Location: Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11, Road Sections at Yscir, Yscir, Powys NGR: SN 9828 2866 (Site 49.05), SN 9920 2921 (Site 50.01), SO 0025 3004 (Site 50.11) Type: Evaluation and Excavation Date: 11 May–20 June 2007 Location of Archive: To be deposited with RCAHMW (original paper archive) and Brecknock Museum (material archive and digital copy of paper archive; accession number BRCNM 2013.19.36) Site Code: MHA06

An archaeological evaluation and excavation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the construction of gas pipelines (part of the South Wales high pressure gas pipeline scheme) between Milford Haven and Aberdulais, and Felindre and Brecon, which were conducted between 2005 and 2007.

An evaluation and subsequent excavation exposed road deposits along the southern and northern sides of the River Usk in the vicinity of Brecon Gaer Roman Fort. Although poorly dated, these road deposits are likely to have been associated with known Roman activity in the vicinity and to have been parts of the road network linking sites such as the fort to Llandovery and Brecon.

A small number of features were found beneath the road deposits but these were undated by finds, although they most probably date to the Roman period or earlier. A small number of features were cut through the road deposits, of which one contained post-medieval to modern finds as well as redeposited Roman material.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 NACAP Land and Marine Joint Venture (NLMJV), on behalf of National Grid, commissioned RSK Environment (part of the RSK Group) to manage the archaeological works (non-invasive surveys, desk based assessment, evaluation, watching brief, and open area excavation) on a 216km-long section of pipeline from Milford Haven (Pembrokeshire) to Brecon (in Powys). The high pressure gas pipeline (part of the 316km-long pipeline route from Milford Haven to Tirley in Gloucestershire) was required to reinforce the gas transmission network. The archaeological work performed in advance of this pipeline was undertaken in a number of sections by a number of archaeological companies. The westernmost section of 122km, from Milford Haven to Aberdulais, was investigated by CA (then Cotswold Archaeological Trust) during 2005–2007 with some additional excavation work carried out by CAP. The section of 89km, from Felindre to Brecon was investigated by CA during 2006–2007 and CAP during 2007. Assessment reports on the works were completed in January 2012 (NLM 2012a, 2012b) and the current reporting stage was commissioned in February 2013.

1.2 Between 11 May and 20 June 2007 CA carried out an archaeological evaluation and excavation at Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11, Road Sections at Yscir, Yscir, Powys (centred on NGR: SN 9828 2866 (Site 49.05), SN 9920 2921 (Site 50.01), SO 0025 3004 (Site 50.11); Fig. 1). The objective of the evaluation and excavations were to record all archaeological remains exposed during the pipeline construction.

1.3 The evaluation and excavation were carried out in accordance with professional codes, standards and guidance documents (EH 1991; IfA 1999a, 1999b, 2001a, 2001b 2001c and IfA Wales 2008). The methodologies were laid out in an Archaeological Framework Document (RSK 2007) and associated Written Statements of Investigation (WSIs) and Method Statements.

The sites 1.4 Sites 49.05 and 50.01 are located within fields along the southern bank of the River Usk. Site 50.11 is located on the northern bank of the Usk, close to its confluence with the River Ysgir (Fig. 1). All lie close to the valley floors at around 160m AOD.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

1.5 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as the Devonian St Maughans Formation (Argillaceous Rocks and Sandstone) overlain by superficial Quaternary Alluvium and River Terrace Deposits (BGS 2013).

Archaeological background 1.6 No archaeological remains were identified within the sites during the preliminary Archaeology and Heritage Survey (CA 2006). The Iron Age Y Gaer hillfort occupies Twyn y Gaer hill to the south of the sites. However, the majority of heritage assets recorded within the vicinity of the sites relate to Roman activity.

1.7 A Roman practice fort (PRN6039) and Roman fort (Y Gaer; PRN598) dating to the late 1st/early 2nd centuries AD are recorded in the immediate vicinity. The line of the Roman roads from Coelbren, Llandovery and Kenchester leading to the fort at Brecon Gaer have also been recorded within the vicinity of the sites (PRNs 14101, 11303, 47093-5, 11202). The Sarn Helen Roman road (PRN69702), linking the forts at Neath and Brecon Gaer is recorded, and is intersected by the pipeline in the area of Site 50.01.

1.8 Further archaeological remains were exposed within the near vicinity of the road sections during the pipeline construction works at Sites 50.05, 50.06, 50.10 and 50.14 (Fig. 1). The remains at Site 50.05 comprised Roman crop-processing ovens; Site 50.10 exposed part of a medieval or later hafod (upland farm) and further medieval or later agricultural features were found at Site 50.14. At Site 50.06 an undated pit was found.

Archaeological objectives 1.9 The objectives of the archaeological works were:- • to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks; and • 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.

Methodology 1.10 Road sections were recorded at Evaluation Site 50.01 and subsequently during excavations at Sites 49.05 and 50.11. The precise numbering of the four evaluation

4 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

trenches at Site 50.01 is unclear from the site records and within this report they are referred to from west to east as Trenches 1 to 4. The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (NLM 2006). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising stripping of the pipeline easement to the natural substrate (Fig. 1).

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

1.12 The post-excavation work was undertaken following the production of the UPD (GA 2012) and included re-examination of the original site records. Finds, and environmental evidence was taken from the assessment reports (NLM 2012b) except where the UPD recommended further work, in which case the updated reports were used. The archaeological background to the site was assessed using the following resources:- • the Archaeology and Heritage Survey which was undertaken in advance of the pipeline construction and which examined a 1km-wide corridor centred on the pipeline centre line, including the then existing HER record (CA 2006); • Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust HER data (received May 2014); and • other online resources, such as Google Earth and Ordnance Survey maps available at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.html. All monuments thus identified that were relevant to the site were taken into account when considering the results of the fieldwork.

1.13 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation and excavation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Brecknock Museum under accession number BRCNM 2013.19.36, along with a digital copy of the paper archive. The original paper archive will be deposited with the RCAHMW.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2–7)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation and excavation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts from the excavations, finds and environmental samples (palaeoenvironmental evidence) are to be found in Appendices A, B and C.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Full, original versions of the specialist reports are contained within the archive. In addition to the remains discussed below, the sites produced small quantities of residual Mesolithic and Neolithic flints. The results are discussed below from west to east along the pipeline route.

Excavation Site 49.05 (Figs 2 and 5) 2.2 An area measuring 66m x 16.5m was investigated during the excavation. The natural geological alluvial substrate (49.5.002) was sealed by alluvial deposits and by buried soil 49.5.013. The buried soil was overlain by a road and cut by ditches. Associated banks were also recorded.

2.3 The road was aligned north-east/south-west and comprised a 5.7m-wide metalled surface formed from stones within compacted reddish silty clay (49.5.003 and 49.5.004). An iron hinge or pintle was recovered from surface layer 49.5.003, but was not of a dateable form. Three flanking ditches (49.5.006, 49.5.16 and 49.5.20) ran parallel to the road’s southern side. These ditches had U-shaped to flat-based profiles and were filled with pale silty clays.

2.4 On the road’s northern side two further ditches (49.5.023 and 49.5.014) were present, both of which were comparable to the examples along the southern side of the road.

Evaluation Site 50.01 (Fig. 3) 2.5 Four trenches were excavated within two adjacent fields (Fig. 3, inset; see Methodology, above, for notes on trench numbering). Within trench 2 a road surface was initially identified within the evaluation trench. Following this, an area along the road was excavated by machine from the end of the evaluation trench and was cleaned and planned but was not excavated, except for a 0.4m x 2.2m sondage excavated within the road surface. This surface was not exposed to its full width and was not excavated but the exposed part of the surface consisted of a layer of silty sand with stones, 50.01.003. During the evaluation, a sondage through the road revealed that it was laid directly onto a layer described as colluvium, but which might equally have been an alluvial deposit, given that the site is located both near the foot of a slope and on a floodplain. Unfortunately, the records for this trench were not found at the time of this reporting. No ditches were exposed at this site, but this may reflect the limited extent of the sondages. The surface was sealed by alluvium (layers 002 and 005).

6 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

2.6 Within trench 1, further parts of the road surfacing were exposed in plan. Within Trenches 3 and 4 east/west aligned ditches were recorded (Fig. 3, inset). These had U-shaped profiles and were 0.55m wide and 0.2m deep. No associated road surfaces were found and it is not clear whether or not these ditches were associated with one another or with the road, although their locations and alignments are consistent with them having flanked the southern side of the road.

Site 50.11 (Fig. 4, 6 and 7) 2.7 Within Site 50.11 ten sondages were excavated across the road over a distance of 250m (Fig. 4, inset). The records for these road sections are difficult to cross reference between the sondages so what is presented here is an overview.

2.8 The earliest encountered deposit was an alluvial layer. This was cut by posthole 50.11.126 and pit 50.11.021 (neither illustrated). Both of these features were undated but were sealed by the road.

2.9 Road surfacing deposits were exposed within all of the sondages and showed that the road followed a north-east/south-west alignment. The largest exposure is illustrated on Fig. 4 and provides the basis for much of the following description. The road was up to 5.2m wide and was generally formed from silty clay deposits containing frequent stones and forming a cambered surface edged by larger kerb stones. Within some sondages (although not the illustrated sondage), wheel ruts were recorded and the road was flanked by ditches. A section across one of these ditches (ditch 50.11.102) yielded Roman pottery dating to the 2nd to 4th centuries AD whilst another (ditch 50.11.040) contained 2nd-century AD pottery.

2.10 The road was cut by a small number of features (not illustrated) which were undated by finds but which were thought by the excavators to be of modern date (ditch 50.11.048 and pit 50.11.044). A further pit cutting the road (pit (50.11.004) contained post-medieval/early modern pottery, but also an iron terret ring that may date to the Iron Age or Roman period.

2.11 In addition to these remains, unstratified finds were recovered and amongst these were undated hearth lining slags, possible smithing slags and an item of lead- working waste (see Appendix B).

7 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Discussion 2.12 The features beneath the road at Site 50.11 were undated by finds but must be Roman or earlier on the basis of their stratigraphic relationship with the road, which was almost certainly Roman. It is possible that they relate to the small quantities of Mesolithic and Early Neolithic flints found as residual items, although this must remain as speculation and the undated features could be much later than the flints. Similarly, the provenance of the metallurgical residues from Site 50.11 is unknown.

2.13 The only dateable finds associated with the road sections comprise the Roman pottery from the roadside ditches at Site 50.11. A Roman date seems likely for the road at this site, although the manner in which it linked to local Roman sites, such as Y Gaer fort is currently not known. The road sections on the south bank of the Usk were all undated and whilst they were morphologically similar to the Roman road at Site 50.11, the possibility that they were later (for example post-medieval) routes cannot be discounted. Charred plant remains recovered from environmental samples at Site 50.11 no doubt reflect the proximity to nearby sites (see Archaeological Background, above).

3. PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology. This report was written by Luke Brannlund with comments by Jonathan Hart and illustrations prepared by Daniel Bashford. The archive has been compiled by Jonathan Hart, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The fieldwork was managed for CA by Clifford Bateman and the post-excavation was managed for CA by Karen Walker.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

4. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer. Online resource at http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html accessed 30 September 2013 CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2006 Felindre to Tirley Gas Pipeline: Archaeology and Heritage Survey. CA typescript report 05140 Courtney, P. and McSloy, E. 2013 Post-Roman Pottery from the Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Brecon Gas Pipeline. Cotswold Archaeology typescript report EH (English Heritage) 1991 The Management of Archaeological Projects 2 Greig, J. 1991 ‘The British Isles’, in W. van Zeist, K. Wasylikowa and K-E. Behre (eds) Progress in Old World Palaeoethnobotany Rotterdam, 229-334 GA (Groundwork Archaeology) 2012 Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Brecon High Pressure Gas Pipelines: Updated Project Design Hall, R. 2009 ‘Assessment Report for Fired Clay and Daub’, in NLM 2012b IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 1999a Guidelines for Finds Work. IfA, Birmingham IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 1999b Standard and Guidance for Finds and Ecofact Studies and Curation. IfA, Reading IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 2001a Standard and Guidance for the Collection, Documentation, Conservation and Research of Archaeological Materials. IfA, Reading IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 2001b Standard and Guidance for Field Evaluation IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 2001c Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation IfA Wales (Institute for Archaeologists of Wales/Cymru) 2008 Introducing a Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales, online resource at http://www.archaeoleg.org.uk/intro.html accessed December 2008 Major, H. 2009 ‘Assessment Report for Clay Pipes’, in NLM 2012b

Martin, G. 2008 ‘Assessment Report for the Archaeobotanical Remains’, in NLM 2012b

Moffet L., Robinson M., Straker V. 1989 ‘Cereals, fruits and nuts: charred plant remains from Neoithic sites in England and Wales and the Neolithic economy’, in A. Milles, D. Wiliams and N. Gardner (eds) The Beginings of Agriculture. BAR Int. Series 496, 243-261 NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2006 Milford Haven to Aberdulais Natural Gas Pipeline: Scheme of investigation for a programme of archaeological works

9 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2012a Milford Haven to Aberdulais High Pressure Gas Pipeline: Archaeology Assessment of Potential for Analysis NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2012b Felindre to Brecon High Pressure Gas Pipeline: Archaeology Assessment of Potential for Analysis Pannet, A. 2009 ‘Assessment Report for Lithics’, in NLM 2012b Richmond, A. 2009 ‘Assessment Report for Glass’, in NLM 2012b RSK (RSKENSR) 2007 Felindre to Tirley Natural Gas Pipeline: Archaeological Framework Document, v7. Nacap Land and Marine Final, RSKENSR Environmental Ltd Timby, J. R. 2009 ‘Assessment Report for Roman Pottery’, in NLM 2012b Vince, A. Steane K. 2008 ‘Assessment Report for Stone’, in NLM 2012b Wood, J. 2009 ‘Assessment Report for Faunal Remains’, in NLM 2012b Young, T. 2011 ‘Assessment of the Archaeometallurgical Residues from the Milford Haven to Brecon High Pressure Gas Pipeline’, in NLM 2012b

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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Site 49.05 Context L W D No. Fill of Interpretation Description (m) (m) (m) Spot date 49.5.001 Topsoil 49.5.002 Natural Metalled surface, mid brown silty 49.5.003 Roman Road clay with stones 2.2 5.7 Metalled surface, pale brown silty 49.5.004 Roman Road clay with stones 2.2 5.7 49.5.005 Layer Slump deposit 2.2 1.1 E-W linear in plan with a shallow 49.5.006 Ditch U-shaped profile 0.6 0.2 Upper fill, dark red-brown silty 49.5.007 49.5.006 Ditch Fill clay 0.6 0.2 49.5.008 Alluvium Red-brown silty clay with stones 17 0.2 49.5.009 Layer Red-brown silty clay with stones 7 0.3 Red-brown sandy clay with 49.5.010 Natural stones Pink/red-brown sandy clay with 49.5.011 Natural stones 49.5.012 Layer Red clay with stones 1.5 0.3 Pink-brown sandy clay with 49.5.013 Buried soil stones 17 0.3 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.014 Ditch profile 0.7 0.25 Lower fill, pale pink/red-brown 49.5.015 49.5.006 Ditch Fill silty clay with stones 0.6 0.15 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.016 Ditch profile 1.1 0.4

49.5.017 49.5.016 Ditch Fill Pale pink/red-brown silty clay 1.1 0.4 Mid red-brown silty clay with 49.5.018 Layer stones 5 0.1 Mid red-brown silty clay with 49.5.019 Layer stones 7 0.2 E-W linear in plan with U-shaped 49.5.020 Ditch profile 0.4 0.2 Mid pink/red-brown silty clay with 49.5.021 49.5.020 Ditch Fill stones 0.4 0.2 49.5.022 Context not used E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.023 Ditch profile 0.4 0.1 Pale red-brown silty clay with 49.5.024 Bank stones 1.4 0.5 Mid red-brown sandy clay with 49.5.025 Bank stones 0.6 0.35 49.5.026 Layer Mid red-brown silty clay 0.45 0.3 Pink/red-brown sandy clay with 49.5.027 49.5.14 Ditch Fill stones 0.7 0.25 49.5.028 Layer Pink/red-brown sand 0.5 0.02 Mid pink/red-brown sandy silt with 49.5.029 49.5.023 Ditch Fill stones 0.4 0.1 49.5.030 Alluvium Red-brown silty clay with stones 0.55 0.2 Pink/red-brown sandy clay with 49.5.031 Natural stones 16 49.5.032 Natural Red clay 1.1 0.25 49.5.033 Natural Red clay 0.9 0.2

49.5.034 Layer Red-brown silty clay with stones 6.1 0.2

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E-W linear in plan with U-shaped 49.5.035 Ditch profile 0.4 0.15 Pink-brown sandy clay with 49.5.036 49.5.035 Ditch Fill stones 0.4 0.15 Mid red-brown silty clay with 49.5.037 Bank stones 1 0.2 E-W linear in plan with U-shaped 49.5.038 Ditch profile 0.45 0.2 Mid red-brown silty clay with 49.5.039 49.5.038 Ditch Fill stones 0.45 0.2 Mid red-brown silty clay with 49.5.040 Alluvium stones 1.34 0.3 Red/pink-brown silty clay with 49.5.041 Alluvium stones 4 0.3 49.5.042 Layer Mid brown silty clay with stones 0.3 0.1 Mid pink-brown sandy clay with 49.5.043 Layer stones 5.5 0.3 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.044 Ditch profile 0.4 0.15 Pink/red-brown silty clay with 49.5.045 49.5.044 Ditch Fill stones 0.4 0.15 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.046 Ditch profile 0.4 0.15 Mid pink-brown silty clay with 49.5.047 Bank stones 1 0.24 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.048 Ditch profile 0.3 0.2 49.5.049 49.5.048 Ditch Fill Lower fill, mid brown sandy silt 0.3 0.15 Upper fill, pale pink-red sandy 49.5.050 49.5.048 Ditch Fill clay 0.3 0.5 49.5.051 49.5.046 Ditch Fill Mid brown sand clay with stones 0.4 0.15 E-W linear in plan with square- 49.5.052 Ditch shaped profile 7 0.4 Pink/red-brown sandy clay with 49.5.053 Natural stones 10.6 0.25 49.5.054 Layer Mid brown silty clay with stones 8.2 0.25 Mid pink-brown silty clay with 49.5.055 Layer stones 7 0.3 Mid pink-brown sandy clay with 49.5.056 Layer stones 2 0.45 E-W linear in plan with shallow U- 49.5.057 Levelling Cut shaped profile 8.2 0.45 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.058 Ditch profile 0.85 0.3

Lower fill, pink/red-brown silty 49.5.059 49.5.058 Ditch Fill sand with stone and charcoal 0.7 0.2 Upper fill, mid brown sandy clay 49.5.060 49.5.058 Ditch Fill with stones 0.8 0.2 E-W linear in plan with V-shaped 49.5.061 Ditch profile 0.3 0.3

49.5.062 49.5.061 Ditch Fill Mid brown silty clay with stones 0.3 0.3 Mid red-brown silty clay with 49.5.063 Bank stones 1.15 0.4 Pink-brown sandy clay with 49.5.064 Colluvium stones 2.7 0.2

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Site 50.01 (Trench 2 area exposed subsequent to evaluation) Context L W D Fill of Interpretation Description Spot date No. (m) (m) (m) L18- 50.01.001 Topsoil E19 M18- 50.01.002 Alluvium L19 Metalled surface, pale grey-brown > 50.01.003 Road silty sand with stones 2.2

Metalled surface, pale orange- 50.01.004 Road grey silty sand with stones 6.5 1.8 50.01.005 Alluvium Dark orange-brown sandy silt 60 10 0.6 50.01.006 Natural

Site 50.11 Context L W D Fill of Interpretation Description Spot date No. (m) (m) (m) 50.11.001 Topsoil 50.11.002 Natural Dark red-brown sandy silt with 50.11.003 50.11.004 Pit Fill charcoal 0.6 0.3 PMED Sub-circular in plan with bowl- 50.11.004 Pit shaped profile 0.6 0.3 50.11.005 Roman Road Generic number L2-4 50.11.006 Topsoil Red-brown silty clay with stones Metalled surface, compacted 50.11.007 Road stones 4.5 2 50.11.008 Topsoil Mid red-brown silty sand 50.11.009 Road Mid blue-grey stones in silt 50.11.010 Topsoil Pale grey-brown clay/sand silt 0.35 50.11.011 Subsoil Mid grey brown silt clay 0.2 50.11.012 Road Pale green-grey stones 3.1 5.2 Metalled surface, pale green-grey 50.11.013 Road stones 2.7 2.1 Mid red-brown silty clay with 50.11.014 Topsoil stones 50.11.015 Road Mid blue-grey stones 3 3.4 50.11.016 Subsoil Generic number Mid orange-brown silty clay with 50.11.017 Road stones 3 2 0.1 Metalled surface, green-grey 50.11.018 Road stone

Mid orange-brown silty clay with 50.11.019 Road stones part of (50.11.18) Orange-brown silty clay with 50.11.020 Road stones Circular in plan with bowl-shaped 50.11.021 Pit profile 1.15 0.35

Mid red-brown silty clay with 50.11.022 50.11.021 Pit Fill charcoal and stones 1.15 0.35 Mid brown-red silty clay with 50.11.023 Buried Soil charcoal and stones 0.9 0.3 Mid brown-red silty clay with 50.11.024 Buried Soil charcoal and stones 4.9 0.3 Metalled surface, mid brown-red 50.11.025 Road sandy clay with abundant stones 0.2 Mid brown-pink clay silt with 50.11.026 Layer stones 0.7 0.2

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Mid brown-pink clay silt with 50.11.027 Layer stones 1.8 0.15 50.11.028 Eval. Trench Eval. Trench 50.11.029 50.11.028 Fill 50.11.030 Topsoil Mid grey-brown clay silt 50.11.031 Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sandy silt Mid orange-brown clay silt with 50.11.032 Layer stones Dark grey-brown silty sand with 50.11.033 Layer stones Mid pink-brown clay silt with 50.11.034 Layer stones 50.11.035 Layer Pale grey-pink sandy silt Mid red-brown silty clay with 50.11.036 Layer stones 11 0.3 Mid red-brown silty clay with 50.11.037 Layer stones 11 0.25 NE-SW linear in plan with Steep 50.11.038 Ditch U-shaped profile 1 0.6 Pale brown-orange clay silt with 50.11.039 50.11.38 Ditch Fill stones 1 0.6 E-W linear in plan with shallow U- 50.11.040 Ditch shaped profile 6.8 0.4 Mid grey/pink-brown clay silt with 50.11.041 50.11.040 Ditch Fill stones 5.3 0.25 50.11.042 50.11.040 Ditch Fill Dark grey/pink-brown silty sand 4.5 0.1 C. 2-4 Mid grey/pink-brown silty sand 50.11.043 50.11.040 Ditch Fill with stones 7.9 0.5 Circular in plan with a bowl- 50.11.044 Pit shaped profile 1.8 0.5

50.11.045 50.11.044 Pit Fill Mid brown-grey sand with stones 1.8 0.5 50.11.046 50.11.040 Ditch Fill Mid grey-brown sand with stones 2.3 0.08 Mid grey-brown sandy silt with 50.11.047 50.11.040 Ditch Fill stones 2 2.3 0.1 E-W linear in plan with shallow U- 50.11.048 Ditch shaped profile 2 1.3 0.3 50.11.049 50.11.048 Ditch Fill Mid brown clay-silt with stones 2 1.3 0.3

50.11.050 Layer Mid grey-brown sand with stones 3.5 2.3 0.1 Mid grey-brown sandy silt with 50.11.051 Layer stones 3.5 2.3 0.08 C. 19? 50.11.052 Layer Mid brown clay silt with stones 2 3.2 0.15 C. 2 50.11.053 Layer Mid brown clay silt with stones 1.45 0.25 MED Mid red-brown clay silt with 50.11.054 Road abundant stone 50.11.055 Topsoil Pale grey-brown clay silt 0.1 50.11.056 Subsoil Pale grey-brown clay silt 0.15 Metalled surface, stones set into 50.11.057 Road mid red brown clay silt Mid red-brown clay silt with 50.11.058 Layer stones, slump from road 0.9 0.1 Mid red-brown clay silt with 50.11.059 Layer stones, slump from road 2.2 0.6 0.1 Mid red-brown clay silt with 50.11.060 Layer stones, slump from road 2.3 1.1 0.1 50.11.061 Topsoil Mid grey-brown clay silt 50.11.062 Natural Dark orange-brown sandy silt 50.11.063 Road Dark orange-brown sandy silt 2.2 2.6 0.15

14 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

50.11.064 Layer Dark brown clay silt layer on road 4.05 2.2 0.25 Dark orange-brown sandy silt with 50.11.065 Road stones 2.2 2 0.1 Mid orange-brown clay with 50.11.066 Layer stones 3.7 2.2 0.4 E-W linear in plan with shallow U- 50.11.067 Ditch shaped profile 2.2 1.65 0.4 50.11.068 50.11.067 Ditch Fill Mid brown-orange silt with stones 2.2 1.65 0.4 E-W linear in plan with shallow U- 50.11.069 Ditch shaped profile 2.2 1.24 0.15 Mid brown-orange clay silt with 50.11.070 50.11.069 Ditch Fill stones 2.2 1.24 0.15 Dark orange-brown clay silt with 50.11.071 Layer stones 2.2 3.4 0.25 Mid red-brown silty clay with 50.11.072 Subsoil stones 0.25 Mid pink-brown silty sand with 50.11.073 Natural stones and gravel Mid red-brown silty clay with 50.11.074 Layer stones 0.5 Mid pink-brown silty clay, possible 50.11.075 Layer surface 0.06 NE-SW linear in plan with V- 50.11.076 Ditch shaped profile 1.2 0.4 Mid red-brown silt clay with stone 50.11.077 50.11.76 Ditch Fill and charcoal

Metalled surface, grey stones set 50.11.078 Road in orange-brown sandy silt 4 0.3 SW-NE linear in plan with V- 50.11.079 Ditch shaped profile 1.8 0.8 Upper fill, mid orange-brown 50.11.080 50.11.079 Ditch Fill sandy silt with stones 1.8 0.8

Metalled surface, grey stones set 50.11.081 Road in orange-brown sandy silt 1.6 0.25

Orange-brown silty clay with 50.11.082 Road stones, repair patch to road 2.2 0.1 Orange-brown silt sand with 50.11.083 Road stones, repair patch to road 0.06 50.11.084 50.11.085 Ditch Fill Mid red-brown clay silt 0.5 NE-SW linear in plan with U- 50.11.085 Ditch shaped profile 1 0.5 50.11.086 50.11.087 Ditch Fill Dark brown silty-sand with stones 0.5 0.65 NW-SE linear in plan with U- 50.11.087 Ditch shaped profile 0.55 0.65 50.11.088 Layer Mid brown sandy silt 3.2 0.15 Dark red-brown clay silt with 50.11.089 Layer stones 3.7 0.2 50.11.090 Layer Mid red-brown clay silt with stones 50.11.091 Natural Mid pink-brown silty sand 50.11.092 Layer Mid red-brown sandy silt 3.15 0.3 Mid orange-brown sandy silt with 50.11.093 Layer stones 2.2 1.65 0.15 Dark orange-brown clay silt with 50.11.094 Layer stones 2.2 0.75 0.4 50.11.095 Cut Possible drain 50.11.096 Road Metalled surface 50.11.097 Road Mid green-grey stone 2.3 0.1 50.11.098 Road Mid green-grey stone 2.3 0.1 Mid grey- brown sandy silt with 50.11.099 Layer stone 5.5 0.65

15 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Mid brown sandy gravel with 50.11.100 Layer stone 2.15 0.2 50.11.101 Alluvium Mid grey-brown sandy silt 1.95 0.1 E-W linear in plan with steep U- 50.11.102 Ditch shaped profile 1.75 0.75 50.11.103 50.11.102 Ditch Fill Mid brown clay silt with stones 1.5 0.75 C. 2-4 Mid grey-brown sandy silt with 50.11.106 Layer stones 1.2 0.15 Mid brown-grey clay silt with 50.11.107 Layer stones 0.65 0.3 50.11.108 Ditch/pit? U-shaped profile seen in section 1.3 0.35 Mid brown-grey clay silt with 50.11.109 50.11.108 Ditch/pit? Fill stones 1.1 0.01 50.11.110 50.11.108 Ditch/pit? Fill Mid brown-red clay silt with stones 0.2 0.1 50.11.111 50.11.108 Ditch/pit? Fill Mid brown-red clay silt with stones 1.25 0.15 50.11.112 Layer Pale brown-grey sandy gravel 0.45 0.1 Blue-grey stone in orange-brown 50.11.113 Road sandy silt 0.1 Orange-brown sandy silt with 50.11.114 Layer stones 0.3 Roman Mid orange-brown sandy silt with 50.11.115 Layer stones 0.4 Dark orange-brown sandy silt with 50.11.116 Layer charcoal 0.2 Orange/pink brown sandy silt with 50.11.117 Alluvium stones and charcoal 0.6 Lower fill, mid grey-orange silt with 50.11.118 50.11.079 Ditch Fill stones 0.45 0.25 Blue-grey stone in orange-brown 50.11.119 Layer sandy silt 2.1 0.2 50.11.120 Layer Brown-grey silt sand with stones 50.11.121 Layer Grey-brown clay silt with stones 50.11.122 Layer Brown-grey silt sand with stones 50.11.123 Subsoil Mid grey-brown clay silt 50.11.124 Road Metalled surface, stones 50.11.125 Road Possible pavement stones Circular in plan with bowl-shaped 50.11.126 Posthole profile 0.35 0.15 Mid brown-orange silt clay with 50.11.127 50.11.126 Posthole Fill stone and charcoal 0.35 0.15 Mid pink-brown clay silt with 50.11.128 Layer stones and charcoal 0.3 0.1

16 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Roman Pottery (Timby 2009)

Site Context No. Fabric Form No. Weight Date 50.01 50.1.005 DOR BB1 Dish 4 57 L C2-C4 50.11.001 SVW OX 1 19 C1-2 50.11 Dr 50.11.001 SGSAM 30/37 1 7 C1-2

50.11.042 SVW OX 1 2 C2-4 50.11.052 CGSAM Dr 33 1 11 C2 50.11.053 SVW OX 1 3 C2-4 50.11.103 SVW OX 1 6 C2-4 50.11.114 BW 1 1 Roman u/s DOR BB1 jar 1 3 C3-4 u/s SGSAM 1 1 C1-2 u/s CGSAM Dr 30 1 5 C2 u/s CGSAM 1 1 C2

Key to fabric code BW Black sandy ware CGSAM Central Gaulish samian DOR BB1 Dorset black burnished ware SGSAM South Gaulish samian SVWOX Severn Valley ware

Post-Roman Pottery (Courtney and McSloy 2013) Site 49.05 A single small sherd (1g) was recorded from ‘interface’ deposit 49.05.009/0.34. The fabric was identified as type LGRE, which is dateable to the 16th to 18th centuries.

Site 50.11 A total of 39 sherds of pottery (205g) was recorded, with the majority unstratified or from topsoil/subsoil deposits. In addition to the pottery, one abraded fragment of brick or daub (8g) of uncertain date was recorded from deposit 50.11.008.

Medieval Medieval pottery amounting to 2 sherds (35g) was recorded from two features. A base sherd (13g) from a jar in fabric VALE was recorded from Slot H. The second sherd was an abraded jar rimsherd in the same fabric from Roman road repair deposit 50.11.053. Fabric VALE (Price and Newman’s ‘Vale fabric’ Type A) is typically dated c. 1200–1500 (Price and Newman 1985; O’Mahoney 1995, 23: B22; Papazian and Campbell 1992, 65 and fig.36).The sherds from Site 50.11 were the only recorded incidence of this fabric from the pipeline.

Post-medieval A total of 9 sherds (96g) was recorded, with all material unstratified or from topsoil deposit 50.11.001. All comprised glazed earthenware types; the majority dateable to the 16th/17th to 18th centuries.

17 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Early Modern Material of this period, some 28 sherds (84g), comprised unstratified material, with most or all material dateable to the 19th or early 20th centuries. Forms include blue-edged plates among the Pearlwares and dishes/plates with blue transfer-printed floral or Chinese-inspired designs among the Developed whitewares.

Context No. ID Fabric Date Quantity Weight (g) Form Decoration 49.05.us 493 LGRE PMED 1 1 GL 50.02.003 55 MOTW PMED 1 5 Reeded tankard 59 SDRE PMED 5 15 Bowl(s) Slip trailed 53 CREA PMED 1 2 Folded-over rim or foot 54 EWSG PMED 1 1 Rim of tankard or Dark brown band similar at rim 58 NDGT PMED 7 41 Internally glazed 57 CPMD PMED 1 7 Dish Slip (damaged) 56 BSYS PMED 2 8 Posset or similar Band of red slip on ext. 50.02.004 3 RSBW PMED 3 13 Globular vessel; Black glaze on handle frag all-over red slip 7 CREA PMED 1 7 Moulded and wavy dish rim 8 SPOR EMOD 1 7 Small bowl Painted int band- polychrome 9 WSWD PMED 1 4 Handle- mug 10 REBW PMED 2 16 HW- globular & Partial brown gl. carinated shoulder On ext; off white AOG- black fabric 11 NDGF PMED 1 7 Jar base 1 NDGT PMED 30 271 Bowl rim; crock rim; crock handle 5 SDRE PMED 3 42 Bowls 6 CMBW PMED 3 15 Jar 4 LGRE PMED 4 13 Poss SDRE vessel- IG- brown frag rim 2 CPMD PMED 2 30 Dish(es) Slip trailed 510 MOTW PMED 1 4 Tankard base 37 LGRE PMED 7 40 Internally glazed vessel 36 MOTW PMED 2 5 Tankard &mug 38 SDRE PMED 1 30 Jug handle- slipped 39 BSYS PMED 1 20 Knob of lid- hollow Yellow glaze on white slip 35 NDGT PMED 18 332 Bowls & crocks (2 handles) 50.02.002 86 LGRE PMED 1 9 Lost int. surface 50.11.us 626 VALE MED 1 13 C. pot base Oxidised orange with reduced core 581 DEWW EMOD 11 31 FW& HW BT- chinoi(3) & transfer floral(1) blue spring 582 MDEW EMOD 2 8 HW Slip bands and incised; cats eyes 589 CPMD PMED 3 59 Dishes Slip trailed 583 PEAW EMOD 13 42 FW& HW; Blue edge BT- chinoi(2); dish (1) floral(1) 584 MOTW PMED 1 2 HW 586 LGRE PMED 1 12 Bowl 587 WWCG EMOD 1 1 HW Blue AOG 588 CREA PMED 1 1 ? 50.11.001 601 MOTW PMED 1 9 HW posset or chamber pot 604 BSYS PMED 1 1 Tiny fragment

18 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

603 PEAW EMOD 1 2 Blue edged dish rim 602 CIBW PMED 1 12 Poss jug shoulder Prob C 17 50.11.008 663 MISC 1 8 Brick or daub 50.11.053 568 VALE MED 1 22 C. pot rim worn Orange with grey core

Key to fabric code Code Type Code Type BSYS Bristol/Staffordshire- type Yellow Slip NDGF North Devon Gravel Free Wares CIBW Cistercian/Blackwares NDGT North Devon Gravel Tempered CMBW Coal Measure Buffware PEAW Pearlware CPMD Coal Measure Press-moulded Dishes REBW Refined Black Earthenware CREA Creamware RSBW Red Slipped Blackware DEWW Developed White Wares SDRE Slip Decorated Red Earthenware EWSG English White Saltglazed Stoneware SPOR Semi-Porcelainous Wares LGRE Lead Glazed Red Earthernware WSWD Westerwald MDEW Mocha and Dipped Earthenware WWCG White Wares with Coloured Glazes MOTW Mottled Fine-Wares VALE Vale of Glamorgan Cooking Pot

Lithics (Pannet 2008) Site/Context No. Description Date 49.05.us Flake 501002 Cortical flake 50.11.001 Discoidal core frag. E Neo 50.11.075 Retouched flake shatter 50.11.us Flake core Neo 50.11.us Blade Meso 50.11.us Flake from blade core Meso

Stone (Vince and Steane 2008) Site Context No. Category Sub Fabric Form Weight (g) Description 49.05 49.5.003 Modified Burnt Shale Coal Waste 3 50.11 50.11.us ?Modified Geo/Burnt 5 50.11 50.11.us Unworked and Sandstone Geo 2296 Recent groves Unmodified Pebble 50.11 50.11.001 Modified? Geo/Burnt 25 All dark red

Fired Clay and Daub (Hall 2009)

50.11.001 produced 22 featureless fragments of fired clay weighting 68g.

Clay Pipe (Major 2009) 502004- One stem sherd; “Slot E” (50.11) - Two stem sherds

19 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Glass (Richmond 2009) Site Context No. Count Weight (g) Identification Date 50.01 50.1.001 3 44 Bottle glass, glass slag L18-E19 50.1.002 18 310 Bottle glass M18-L19 50.1.006 1 4 Bottle glass 18th 50.11 50.11.051 1 1 Window glass 19th ? Unstratified 1 1 Bottle glass RB? Unstratified 5 255 Bottle glass M-L 18

Metal Objects (by Kevin Leahy, 2008, 2013) Site Context No. Weight (g) Identification Date 49.05 49.05.003 11.17 Hinge or pintle 49.05.003 4.58 Lump of iron 49.05.001 33.9 Link of chain? 49.05.001 14.4 Iron bar with square section 49.05.001 132.4 Probable nail 49.05.001 6.7 Iron nail (horse shoe? MED? 50.11 50.11.015 Hob-nail 50.11.024 2.5 Unidentified 50.11.us 2.23 Hob-nail 50.11.001 1.8 Hob-nail 50.11.003 24.1 Possible terret ring IA/RB? 50.11.008 8.9 Iron bar 50.11.011 Unidentified 50.11.011 12.6 Nail? 50.11.075 1.1 Hob-nail 50.11.075 1 Hob-nail 50.11.075 40 Unidentified 50.11.075 31.1 Unidentified 50.11.075 9.7 Unidentified 50.11.075 3.4 Unidentified 50.11.075 4.1 Unidentified 50.11.001 353.6 Unidentified 50.11.001 163.3 Unidentified

Conservation cleaning suggests that the iron terret ring from fill 50.11.003 of pit 50.11.004 had a D shaped section with flat inner edge, although the section varies. On one side of the ring there appears to have been a raised pad, 14.0 x 11.3mm which could represent an attachment point although this is unclear. In view of the simple form of this object and its poor preservation it is impossible to say anything about either its date or function. Outside diameter 35.4mm

Inside diameter 22.0mm

Height 37.0mm

Width, maximum: 10.1mm, minimum 7.9mm

Mass 14.66g

Archaeometallurgical Residues from Site 50.11 (Young 2011)

This site produced a variety of metallurgical residues including rather indeterminate hearth lining slags (501101), together with denser slags probably from smithing (finds #10, #21 and #28). The assemblage also included a piece of granular lead -working waste.

20 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE BY JAMES RACKHAM

Site 49.05

Bone One very small fragment of indeterminate burnt bone (0.1g) was recovered from sample 49.5.3 (context 49.05.019) from a ‘levelling’ layer for the Roman road.

Environmental soil samples The deposits sampled from this site were sealed beneath a Roman road. Two overlapping monoliths (samples 49.5.1 and 49.5.2) were taken through a sequence of five layers, and then a small five litre sample was taken from each of the recorded layers (Table 1) as a column, the lower layers of this sequence being described in the field as ‘natural’ . The samples were initially taken for the study of plant macrofossils, microfauna and pollen analysis, while the monoliths were intended for sedimentological, pollen and diatom analyses. The column samples washed down to produce residues consisting of small-medium sub-rounded/sub-angular and flat pink sandstone, pink sandstone gravel and grit with occasional small pieces of white quartz, blue/grey stone, sediment concretions and charcoal. The only archaeological finds from the samples consist of very small quantities of magnetised sediment crumb/sandstone from two samples, which included a single piece of plate hammerscale and a tiny fragment of burnt, unidentifiable mammal bone (Table 2). The corresponding flots produced very small charcoal assemblages consisting of comminuted charcoal, with no other charred botanical remains recovered. Evidence for recent intrusive material is rare and restricted to traces of uncharred root material and a single uncharred achene of buttercup-type. The samples were processed by the EAC in the manner described in the assessment report (Martin 2008) with the refloating of the dried sample residues being conducted at the time.

Table 1. Samples from Site 49.05 proc. proc. sample no context no description Date vol. l. wt kg 49.5.1 49.05.019 Monolith 49.5.2 49.05.018 monolith 49.5.3 49.05.019 Levelling layer 5 7 Pre-Roman 49.5.4 40.05.018 Levelling layer 4 5 Pre-Roman 49.5.5 49.05.013 ?Palaeosol 4 6.5 Pre-Roman 49.5.6 40.05.011 Degraded natural sandstone 5 8 Natural? 49.5.7 40.05.010 Degraded natural sandstone 5 9 Natural?

21 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

Table 2. Data for the environmental samples from Site 49.05

- scale*

vol l

charcoal Sample no Sample Context no Context Magnetic g. g. Magnetic 1st flot vol1st ml flot Burnt bone g. bone Burnt 2nd flot vol ml vol flot 2nd Hammer 49.5.3 49.05.01 5 1 2.5 <1 2/4 <1

49.5.4 40.05.01 4 1 4 2/4 <1 1

49.5.5 49.05.01 4 0.5 0.5 1/2 -

49.5.6 40.05.01 5 <1 <1 1/1 -

49.5.7 40.05.01 5 <1 0 -/- -

* abundance rating – E= 1-10 items; D=11-50, C=51=100, B=101-200, A=>200; # weight in grammes; nd – no data

Monoliths The two overlapping monoliths were taken through the same sequence that was column sampled. At the assessment stage it was considered that nothing could be done with the samples which showed no discernible stratigraphy of any note or any pronounced soil development that might deserve further study. The soils were such that the sequence was not considered suitable for pollen or micromorphological analysis.

Discussion So little material was recovered from the column samples that they allow very limited discussion. The lower samples were clearly sampling undisturbed natural, the ‘palaeosol’ produced a little charcoal but nothing to suggest local activity while a little charcoal and bone was present in the levelling layers at the top of the sequence. These were the only deposits with any appreciable input of archaeological debris and this was restricted to a little burnt bone, charcoal and a flake of hammerscale. This single flake of hammerscale might indicate Roman iron smithing nearby, but unfortunately hammerscale is very small and can move down through the soil and a single flake is therefore an unreliable indicator.

Site 50.11 Bone Two of the environmental samples, 50.11.001 (context 50.11.001) and 50.11.002 (context 50.11.001), produced very small assemblages of burnt bone. Sample 50.11.001 produced 55 tiny indeterminate burnt bone fragments (2g). Two of the fragments are probably animal rather than human but cannot be identified further. Sample 50.11.002 produced 31 tiny indeterminate burnt bone fragments (1g). Several of the fragments are more consistent with animal than human bone but cannot be identified further.

22 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

A possible bird bone was identified amongst 38 fragments of burnt animal bone during the assessment (Wood 2008). No bird bones were present among the material studied during the post-excavation analysis. The survival of only burnt bone may suggest that the burial environment on the site was not suitable for the survival of unburnt bone.

Environmental Soil Samples During excavations at Site 50.11, four bulk soil samples (Table 1) were collected for the potential recovery of charred plant remains, charcoal and other environmental evidence. These deposits are undated although sample <0001> produced pottery (Table 1).

Table 1. Bulk environmental samples Sample Context Feature Description Processed Processed date weight (g) vol (g) 50.11.0001 50.11.128 Deposit 23 16 - 50.11.002 50.11.128 Deposit 11 19 - 50.11.003 50.11.127 50.11.126 Posthole fill 8 4 - 50.11.004 50.11.127 50.11.126 Posthole fill 10 6 - * sample volume estimated on site – no accurate record

The samples were processed in the manner described in the assessment report (Martin 2008) with the additional refloating of the dried <2mm sample residues whose flot volume is indicated in Table 2. This second flot was then sorted for charred macrofossils and the residue re-dried and checked with a magnet to recover any magnetic material.

Table 2. Data for the environmental samples Sample Context Vol 1st 2nd Pottery Burnt Burnt Slag Glass Magnetic Burnt (l) flot flot * clay * stone * * *# bone vol vol * (ml) (ml) 50.11.0001 50.11.128 16 125 1 E E D E A 1 50.11.0002 50.11.128 11 98 28 D D D E D (0.1) 2 50.11.0003 50.11.127 4 200 44 C (0.10 50.11.0004 50.11.127 6 305 83 C * Frequency E=1-10; D=11-50; C=51-100; B=101-200; A=>200 # Weight in grammes of magnetic component from 2nd flot residue

Layer 50.11.128 produced a range of archaeological debris, with burnt clay and stone, slag, glass chips, pottery and burnt bone. This would certainly suggest occupation debris, but the deposit remains undated. In contrast there was very little debris from posthole 50.11.126, just a little magnetic suggesting some burnt earth of stone in the context. This contrast is also reflected in the environmental evidence from the samples (see below).

Charred Plant remains (John Giorgi) Two of the four samples from this site produced charred plant remains consisting mainly of cereal grains, largely unidentifiable, and Corylus avellana (hazel) nutshell fragments, most of the material being from sample

23 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Sites; 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation

50.11.0002, with the second sample from context 50.11.128 producing the remainder. The small number of cereal grains included one of Triticum aestivum type (free-threshing wheat) and two of Hordeum vulgare (hulled barley) with a twisted grain showing the presence of six-row hulled barley. There was also a Galium aparine (cleaver) weed seed in sample 50.11.0002.

Hulled barley is one of the main cereals found in archaeobotanical assemblages from sites in southern Britain during the Roman period while free-threshing wheat is less frequently recovered (Greig 1991, 309). Galium aparine is a common arable weed and may tentatively suggest the cultivation of clay and loam soils, also being associated with the winter sowing of cereals. The charred grains may have been accidentally burnt while being dried before storage/milling and/or during cooking. The few charred hazelnut shell fragments probably represent debris from gathered wild food.

Table 3 Site 50.11 The charred plant remains 1st flot 1st & 2nd flot 1st flot 1st flot Feature type Layer Layer Posthole posthole Feature 50.11.128 50.11.128 50.11.126 50.11.126 Context no. 50.11.128 50.11.128 50.11.127 50.11.127 Sample no. 50.11.001 50.11.002 50.11.003 50.11.004 Vol. flot (ml) 125 98 200 305 Cereals Triticum (aestivum type) Free threshing wheat 1 cf Triticum sp. 1 Hordeum vulgare L. Hulled barley twisted grain 1 Hordeum sp. Hulled barley 1 cf Hordeum sp. Barley? 1 Cerealia indet. grains 1 5 Indet. grain fragments 13 Chaff

Other plants Corylus avellana L. hazel nut shell fragments 21/ no/wt Galium aparine 1 Medicago/Trifolium sp. Small legume-clover type 1 Charcoal >2mm/<2mm 5/5 4/5 5/5 2/5 Total nos. of items 3 44 * abundance rating – 1= 1-10 items; 2=11-50, 3=51=100, 4=101-200, 5=>200; ~ the 2nd flot was only made on the <2mm residue fraction

With no secure dating of the deposits analysis of the charcoal has not been undertaken.

Discussion It is unfortunate that the two sampled contexts from this site cannot be confidently dated. The one identified cereal grain, Triticum aestivum type, is more common in post-Roman contexts than Roman, but cannot in this context be used for dating. The general environmental and archaeological debris in layer 50.11.128 indicates occupation debris suggesting settlement on the site.

Martin, G. 2008 Felindre to Brecon Natural Gas Pipeline. Assessment Report for the Archaeobotanical Remains from four evaluation sites at Cwm Ifor on the middle spread and the evaluations, watching briefs and excavations on the north spread

24 A NNyferyfer Sites 49.05, 50.01 AAC Cothi 50.02 and 50.11 PEMBROKESHIREPEMBRP MBROROKESESHIRSSHIREH RE CARMARTHENSHIRECACCARMARARRRMARMARA THENH NSHISH RE n Lly AfonA LlynfiLly Brecon w Tywi

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Pool Farm Roman Road

Site 50.14

Fig 4 Aberyscir Roman Site 50.11 Practise Camp

Site 50.06 Site 50.10

Site 50.05 Brecon Gaer Fig 3 Roman Fort Site 50.01

Fig 2 Site 49.05

Site 48.06

Y Gaer Defended Enclosure

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Milford Haven to Aberdulais pipeline Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk Felindre to Brecon pipeline e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE 0-75m contour South Wales Pipeline. Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 75m contour Site XX road section sites The Roman Road sections at Aberyscir, Yscir, Powys FIGURE TITLE 200m contour Site XX non road section sites Site location plan 400m contour 600m contour 0 1km FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 08-01-2014 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 SN N 98280 28668

49.5.013 ditch 49.5.023

A 49.5.013

field drain ditch 49.5.023 49.5.013 49.5.013 machine road truncation 49.5.003/49.5.004 49.5.008 49.5.008 ditch 49.5.023

road 49.5.003/49.5.004

road 49.5.008 road 49.5.003/49.5.004 ditch 49.5.003/49.5.004 49.5.020

49.5.008 ditch 49.5.020

49.5.008 49.5.008 ditch 49.5.020

010m A

287 Site 49.05

Section AA SN 983 0 1:5000 100m alluvium Roman road SE ditch topsoil NW 49.5.008 alluvium 49.5.003/49.5.004 49.5.020 49.5.021 49.5.001 168.5m 49.5.008 pipeline centreline AOD road surface 49.5.013 49.5.024 49.5.015 49.5.018 49.5.017 49.5.010 49.5.013 buried soil 49.5.013 make-up ditch ditch alluvium 49.5.011 49.5.016 49.5.006 49.5.008 roadside ditches alluvium 49.5.010 49.5.029 49.5.013 49.5.012 49.5.025 Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission 49.5.010 49.5.017 of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c ditch ditch Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 49.5.023 49.5.014 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Archaeology Andover 01264 326549 0 2.5m w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE South Wales Pipeline. Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 The Roman Road sections at Aberyscir, Yscir, Powys

FIGURE TITLE Plan and section of road at Site 49.05

PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 07-01-2014 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A3 1:200 1:50 2 modern pipe trench Roman Road 50.01.003 N

alluvium 50.01.003 50.01.003 50.01.002

SN 99205 29217

50.01.004

Evaluation Trench 2 50.01.005

50.01.005

0 2.5m

50.01.006

N River Usk Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] 293 pipeline centreline T4 PROJECT TITLE 2005-6 evaluation T3 South Wales Pipeline. Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 trench The Roman Road sections at Aberyscir, Yscir, Powys Fig 3 T2 Roman road surface FIGURE TITLE T1 Plan of Site 50.01

Site 50.01 FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 08-01-2014 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 0 1:5000 100m SN 992 Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:50 3 N kerb stones SO 00250 30047

kerb stones

50.11.058

machine truncation 50.11.057

50.11.058

300 Site 50.11

50.11.060 SO 001 0 1:5000 100m

pipeline centreline Roman road surface make-up B kerb stone

Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109

Section BB Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 kerb 50.11.057 kerb Cotswold NW stone stone alluvium alluvium SE Andover 01264 326549 50.11.058 50.11.059 50.11.093 50.11.060 50.11.092 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 153.5m e [email protected] AOD 50.11.088 50.11.086 PROJECT TITLE 50.11.089 50.11.084 ditch alluvium South Wales Pipeline. Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 50.11.085 50.11.090 construction cut alluvium ditch 50.11.090 50.11.089 50.11.089 50.11.087 The Roman Road sections at Aberyscir, Yscir, Powys FIGURE TITLE Plan and section of Site 50.11 0 2.5m

PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 10-01-2013 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A3 1:50 4 5

Roman road section at Site 49.05 after cleaning, looking south-west

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

pipeline centreline PROJECT TITLE South Wales Pipeline. Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 287 SiteS 49.05 Fig. ? photograph locator The Roman Road sections at Aberyscir, Yscir, Powys Fig. 5 FIGURE TITLE Photographs

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 18-03-2016 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 0100m1:5000 SNSN 983 Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 NA 5 6

Roman road section at Site 50.11 during cleaning looking south-west

Roman road section at Site 50.11 after cleaning, looking south-west

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

pipeline centreline PROJECT TITLE

Fig. 6 & 7 South Wales Pipeline. Sites 49.05, 50.01 and 50.11 Fig. ? photograph locator The Roman Road sections at Aberyscir, Yscir, Powys 300 FIGURE TITLE Site 50.11 Photographs

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 18-03-2016 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 01:5000 100m SOSO 001 Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 NA 6 & 7