Wessex Archaeology
Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd, Wales
Archaeological Evaluation Report
Ref: 84610.01 March 2012
YSGOL BRO DYSYNNI, LLANEGRYN, GWYNEDD, WALES
Archaeological Evaluation Report
Prepared for: Gwynedd Council Council Offices Shirehall Street Caernarfon LL55 1SH
by Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park SALISBURY Wiltshire SP4 6EB
Report reference: 84610.01
March 2012
© Wessex Archaeology Limited 2012 all rights reserved Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No. 287786 Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report
YSGOL BRO DYSYNNI, LLANEGRYN, GWYNEDD, WALES
Archaeological Evaluation Report
DISCLAIMER
The material contained in this report was designed as an integral part of a report to an individual client and was prepared solely for the benefit of that client. The material contained in this report does not necessarily stand on its own and is not intended to nor should it be relied upon by any third party. To the fullest extent permitted by law Wessex Archaeology will not be liable by reason of breach of contract negligence or otherwise for any loss or damage (whether direct indirect or consequential) occasioned to any person acting or omitting to act or refraining from acting in reliance upon the material contained in this report arising from or connected with any error or omission in the material contained in the report. Loss or damage as referred to above shall be deemed to include, but is not limited to, any loss of profits or anticipated profits damage to reputation or goodwill loss of business or anticipated business damages costs expenses incurred or payable to any third party (in all cases whether direct indirect or consequential) or any other direct indirect or consequential loss or damage.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
SITE CODE 84610 ACCESSION CODE CLIENT CODE
PLANNING APPLICATION REF. NGR 259650 305100
VERSION STATUS* PREPARED APPROVED APPROVER’S DATE FILE BY BY SIGNATURE
1 E NMC REG 19/03/2012 DOCUMENT1
* I= Internal Draft E= External Draft F= Final
WA Project No. 84610.01 ii Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report
YSGOL BRO DYSYNNI, LLANEGRYN, GWYNEDD, WALES Archaeological Evaluation Report
Contents
SUMMARY ...... V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... VII 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.2 SITE LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY ...... 1 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 2 3 AIMS AND METHODS ...... 4
3.1 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL OBJECTIVES ...... 4 3.2 STRIPPING AND FIELDWORK METHODOLOGY ...... 4 3.3 MONITORING ...... 5 3.4 RECORDING ...... 5 4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESULTS ...... 5
4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 4.2 NATURAL DEPOSITS AND SOIL SEQUENCES ...... 5 4.3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES ...... 6 5 FINDS ...... 15
5.2 POTTERY ...... 15 5.3 STONE ...... 15 5.4 FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 15 6 ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 16
6.1 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES ...... 16 6.2 CHARRED PLANT REMAINS AND WOOD CHARCOAL ...... 16 6.3 RADIOCARBON DATING ...... 17 6.4 POTENTIAL ...... 17 7 CONCLUSIONS ...... 18
7.2 ROMAN ...... 18 7.3 EARLY MEDIEVAL, POST‐MEDIEVAL AND MODERN ...... 18 7.4 UNPHASED ...... 20 7.5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 20 8 ARCHIVE ...... 21
8.1 PREPARATION AND DEPOSITION ...... 21 8.2 THE ARCHIVE ...... 21 8.3 COPYRIGHT ...... 21 8.4 SECURITY COPY ...... 21 9 REFERENCES ...... 22 APPENDIX 1: TABLE OF TRENCH DESCRIPTIONS ...... 24
WA Project No. 84610.01 iii Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report
List of Figures
1 Site location plan 2 Trench plan with archaeological features 3 Trench plan with geophysical results
List of Plates
Plate 1. The site in its context looking north and north east Plate 2. Trench 2,looking west, showing lower clay revealed in sondage Plate 3. South west facing section of ditch 4003 Plate 4. South west facing section of ditch 1103 Plate 5. South west facing section of ditch 17006 showing grey spread 17006 Plate 6. Drain 22005 looking south west Plate 7. South west facing section of 25005 Plate 8. South west facing section of 25009
WA Project No. 84610.01 iv Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report
YSGOL BRO DYSYNNI, LLANEGRYN, GWYNEDD, WALES
Archaeological Evaluation Report
Summary
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Gwynedd Council to undertake a programme of targeted trial trench evaluation at land at Llanegryn, Gwynedd, North Wales, centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 259650 305100.
The proposed works involve the construction of a new school (proposed name for which is Ysgol Bro Dysynni). The trench locations were positioned to target plotted archaeological anomalies identified during a geophysical survey. Seemingly blank areas were also investigated. Of particular interest was a possible track way/road, identified by magnetometer survey to run centrally through the Site.
The archaeological works involved the excavation of 30 evaluation trenches. The fieldwork was undertaken from the 5th to 13th March 2012.
The archaeological evaluation has established that the majority of the features revealed by the geophysical survey of the site are Post-medieval or modern in date and relate to the division of the current site into four fields and associated attempts at drainage and water management. A small number of features could not be dated. The vast majority of the anomalies identified on the Geophysical survey were identified, with only a few weak anomalies not located in evaluation trenches, and there can be little doubt that the Geophysical survey represents a largely accurate representation of the buried archaeological resource.
A small assemblage of Roman material was recovered from a single deposit in Trench 17 (layer 17006). Whilst the presence of Post-medieval and modern pottery in the same deposit suggests that this Roman material is likely to be residual within the context in which it was found, there is every likelihood that it originally came from features on the site, and its presence suggests Roman activity, however limited, on the site.
Two small hearths were also excavated, containing deposits of in situ burnt material. Samples taken from both of these contained no charred plant remains, but indicated that the charcoal comprised large pieces of roundwood, predominantly alder, which may have come from a coppiced source. Radiocarbon dating indicates that one of these (8003) dates to the Late Roman or post Roman period, whilst the second (17015) is early medieval in date. Both may represent the remains of charcoal burning features. Their presence points to some activity on the site in the Late Roman and Early Medieval periods, although this need not have been directly related to nearby settlements.
Although the majority of the features recorded on the site are Post-medieval and modern in date, there is a possibility that construction works on the site will impact on hitherto unidentified Roman remains on the site. Discussions with John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority have suggested that further
WA Project No. 84610.01 v Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report
works may be required to mitigate such an impact. These mitigatory works are most likely to take the form of a watching brief on intrusive works such as ground reduction works, the excavation of footing trenches and the laying of services.
WA Project No. 84610.01 vi Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report
YSGOL BRO DYSYNNI, LLANEGRYN, GWYNEDD, WALES
Archaeological Evaluation Report
Acknowledgements
Wessex Archaeology would like to thank for Geraint Roberts of B3 Architects who commissioned the evaluation on behalf Gwynedd Council and provided prompt support throughout. Thanks should go to for also go to John Roberts, Archaeologist for Snowdonia National Park Authority for monitoring the fieldwork and for his helpful advice and comments at very short notice.
The fieldwork was undertaken by Nick Cooke, assisted by Chris Harrison, Charlotte Burton, Charlie Hay, Rebecca Wills and Ray Kennedy. The report was researched and compiled by Nick Cooke. The samples were processed by Nicki Mulhall and were assessed by Sarah F. Wyles & Catherine Barnett The project was managed for Wessex Archaeology by Richard Greatorex, who also edited this report. The illustrations were prepared by Kitty Foster.
WA Project No. 84610.01 vii
YSGOL BRO DYSYNNI, LLANEGRYN, GWYNEDD, WALES
Archaeological Evaluation Report
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background 1.1.1 Wessex Archaeology (WA) was commissioned by Gwynedd Council to conduct an archaeological evaluation on land for a new proposed school at Llanegryn, North Wales (hereafter ‘the Site’), centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 259650 305100 (Figure 1).
1.1.2 The work is required to help inform advice to the Authority on the possible impact of the proposed development on archaeological remains and any mitigation measures that might be necessary as a consequence.
1.1.3 The evaluation followed an archaeological desk-based assessment (DBA) by Castlering Archaeology (Castlering Archaeology 2012), and the trial trenches were targeted on plotted archaeological anomalies identified during a recent geophysical survey. Seemingly blank areas were also investigated (ArchaeoPhysica 2012).
1.1.4 A Written Scheme of Investigation for the evaluation (WA 2012), was prepared by Wessex Archaeology and submitted to and approved by John Roberts (Snowdonia National Park Authority’s Archaeologist) prior to the start of the fieldwork. The evaluation was undertaken in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologist’s Standard Guidance for Archaeological Evaluation (as amended in 2008).
1.1.5 The fieldwork was undertaken from the 5th to the 16th March 2012.
1.2 Site location, topography and geology 1.2.1 The proposed school site adjoins the south-east end of the present village of Llanegryn in the angle between the modern alignment of the Dolgellau to Tywyn trunk road (the A493), and a minor road leading to the village. The study area and the existing settlement of Llanegryn lie in the valley of the Afon Dysynni at approximately 35m aOD (above Ordnance Datum), within the Snowdonia National Park comprising gently undulating topography (Plate 1).
1.2.2 The underlying solid geology of the site comprises Ordovician mudstones of the Ty’r Gawen Formation, overlain by drift geology comprising a mixture of glacial deposits of the Devensian Till (BGS 1985).
Current land use 1.2.3 The Site is currently laid to pasture, and is harvested regularly for sileage. In general, little modern disturbance was noted and the potential for archaeological features was deemed to be good.
WA Project No. 84610.01 1
2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
2.1.1 The archaeological and historical background of the Site, are detailed in a comprehensive desk-based assessment (Castlering Archaeology, 2012) and are reproduced here in summary form only.
Prehistory 2.1.2 No archaeological evidence for the prehistoric period has been recovered from the Site. However, extensive evidence of settlement does exist in the uplands to the north and north-east of the village.
2.1.3 The mountainous region of Snowdonia, in general, has revealed evidence of settlement dating from c. 4000BC, when Neolithic people began to settle and farm (Crew & Musson 1996, 5). In the uplands of Allt-lwyd, Twyllydarren and Pen-y-garn to the north and northeast of the Site, cairns, field systems and enclosures likely to represent ritual and settlement in the Bronze Age (c. 2,500-800BC) have been recorded (Laws 2007).
2.1.4 In close proximity to the Scheduled Monument known as Waenfach Standing Stone (PRN 4796), is an impressive and well-preserved example of a ritual monument of the Early Bronze Age period (c. 2000-1500 BC) and, as such, forms Scheduled Ancient Monument ME223. The structure stands west of the A493, c. 550m south-west of the Site, on pastureland that forms part of Waenfach farmland. Although the stone now appears as a solitary monument, it doubtless formed an important element in the wider prehistoric landscape during the Bronze Age.
2.1.5 Approximately 500m south of the Site, a pair of Neolithic stone axes was found in September 1871 when a wall was being built close to Celmi Farmhouse (PRN 4808 & Grimes 1951, 144). In addition some of the trackways, which run through the Parish, may date to the prehistoric period, since numerous cairns and hut circles are located along their routes. The route of the former foot-trail or packhorse route as it extends north-east of the village of Llanegryn is now metalled and follows the eastern edge of Cwm-llwyd (NPRN 500881).
2.1.6 South and west of the Site, and along the coast and the Dysynni valley, land has been cleared since prehistory and enclosed into networks of small fields. There is evidence of an important settlement at Bryn-Crug on the Afon Dysynni valley floor at c. 9m aOD (NPRNs 406372 & 275900; Crew & Musson 1996, 12). The most prominent features are near circular enclosures, possibly late-prehistoric settlement enclosures or earlier ritual or ceremonial monuments located in the north-eastern area of the crop-marks. The features appear to represent roundhouses, property and/or field boundaries, or alternatively ceremonial features.
Iron Age 2.1.7 Approximately 2km west of the Site, the Iron Age hill fort known as Castell- mawr occupies a defensive position on a spur of land at c. 100m aOD. The oval earthworks of the fort form Scheduled Ancient Monument ME 073 GWY.
WA Project No. 84610.01 2
Roman 2.1.8 The Iron Age tribe, the Ordovices, are believed to have inhabited north-west Wales at the time of the Roman invasion. In the later 1st century AD, the Romans established a network of forts and roads controlling major arterial land routes and the Western Seaboard. Although there is currently no proof of a Roman road route through the Dysynni Valley, one has long been suggested, supported by an antiquarian reference to a possible Roman building in the Llanegryn area (there is however no detailed knowledge of the nature or location of this building).
Post-Roman – early Christian 2.1.9 There is evidence of inscribed stones such as the pillar stone, incised with the outline of a Maltese cross built into the south wall of the Parish Church at Llanegryn. The pillar is thought to be of 7th to 9th century date and presumably associated with an early Christian church at the site (PRN 4918).
Post-1066 2.1.10 Approximately 1.5km south of the Site, the earthwork mound of Domen Ddreiniog, also known as Talybont Castle mound (NPRN 302714 & PRN 1740), is located at a former bridging point on the bank of the Afon Dysynni, downstream of the present Pont Dysynni (NPRN 24180).
2.1.11 The Parish Church of St. Egryn and St. Mary, located c.700m north of the study area and north-west of the village, dates from the mid-13th century at least (PRN 6971& NPRN 43890).
Medieval period 2.1.12 The medieval tithes of Llanegryn Parish were paid to Cymer Abbey, founded in 1198-9 near Dolgellau, under the patronage of Maredudd ap Cynan, then the Lord of Meirionydd, and his brother Gruffyd. It was colonised by a community of monks from Abbey Cwmhir in Radnorshire. The nucleus of the abbey lands was located on the banks of the Mawddach. Away from these lands the monks farmed the surrounding uplands where they established Granges to be worked by lay brothers, of which Llanegryn was one. The Abbey and the Granges survived until the Dissolution of the Monasteries after 1536.
Post-medieval and modern period 2.1.13 There is much evidence for post medieval and modern activity in the vicinity of the site. A number of grand dwellings built in the area are listed. One, a Grade II listed building at Peniarth (NPRN 28633), some 1.5km away, is referred to in a 15th century poem, whilst other notable post medieval buildings are listed in Bryncrug, some 3km to the south east, and a now- demolished house at Ynysmaengwen a similar distance to the south. The estate of Ynysmaengwen significantly affected the landscape of the Afon Dysynni, with significant land reclamation and drainage in the 18th and 19th centuries.
WA Project No. 84610.01 3
2.1.14 The construction of the turnpike road in the late 18th century improved communications in the area, and it was carried over the Afon Dysynni by a new bridge (NPRN 24180) to the south east of the site.
2.1.15 The Site and its environs are first mapped in the Tithe Map of 1842, when it was divided into two fields by a boundary running approximately west-east. At the time, they formed part of the Waenfach estate. These fields lay some distance to the south east of the village of Llanegryn itself, although Cefn Coch cottages, which still overlook the site, are depicted on this early map, and may have originally been built as a coaching inn to service the turnpike.
2.1.16 A magnetic resistance survey undertaken by ArchaeoPhysica Ltd, at the request of Castlering Archaeology, produced evidence for a former road/Holloway, possibly associated with a small settlement of area of intensive agricultural activity apparently concentrated in the south-western and the south-eastern areas of the Site. A single north-west to north-east boundary recorded on a tithe map of 1842 also crosses the Site.
3 AIMS AND METHODS
3.1 Introduction and General Objectives 3.1.1 The aims of the archaeological field evaluation were to:
Clarify the presence/absence and extent of any buried archaeological remains within the Site that may be threatened by development. Identify, within the constraints of the evaluation, the date, character, condition and depth of any surviving remains within the Site. Assess the degree of existing impacts to sub-surface horizons and to document the extent of archaeological survival of buried deposits. Inform the design of a strategy to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on archaeological remains where present. Specifically understand the nature and date of the road/hollow way/trackway that runs centrally through the Site. Clarify the nature of any more dispersed archaeological features suggested by the geophysical survey.
3.2 Stripping and Fieldwork Methodology 3.2.1 The archaeological evaluation was undertaken from the 5th to 13th March 2012.
3.2.2 The evaluation was conducted according to the agreed Written Scheme of Investigation (Wessex Archaeology 2012) methodology and comprised the excavation of 30 trial trenches of varying lengths (see Appendix 1) equating to 4 % of the Site. The sampling strategy was developed by the John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority.
3.2.3 All trenches were excavated as planned with the exceptions of trenches 12 and 17. Following discussions with John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Trench 12 was not excavated, with Trench 39 (originally one of the trenches intended as a contingency) was
WA Project No. 84610.01 4
excavated instead. Additionally, an extension was dug to the northern edge of trench 17 in order to investigate the extents of spread 17006.
3.2.4 Prior to machining, the trench locations were scanned by Wessex Archaeology using a cable tracing device. The trenches were excavated under constant archaeological supervision using a wheeled JCB excavator or by a tracked excavator employing a toothless ditching bucket. The turf, topsoil and subsoils were piled separately to facilitate consolidation of the trench footprint after backfilling.
3.2.5 The survey was carried out with a Leica Viva series GNSS unit using the OS National GPS Network through an RTK network with a 3D accuracy of 30mm or below. All survey data was recorded using the OSGB36 British National Grid coordinate system.
3.3 Monitoring 3.3.1 The archaeological fieldwork was monitored on behalf of the local planning authority by John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority. A number of additions and modifications were made to the original methodology on the basis of this monitoring meeting.
3.4 Recording 3.4.1 All features of an archaeological nature were excavated by hand, with the aim of recovering sufficient information to determine date, nature and deposit quality without compromising the archaeological value of the deposits. Features of a possible archaeological nature were partially excavated to ascertain their function/origin.
3.4.2 All archaeological features, horizons and natural deposits encountered in the evaluation were fully recorded on Wessex Archaeology’s pro forma record sheets. A sample of all discrete and linear archaeological features was excavated. A full photographic (digital, 35mm black and white prints and colour transparencies), and graphic record was kept. The site drawings were drawn at an appropriate scale, typically 1:10 for sections and 1:20 for plans.
4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESULTS
4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 The results set out in this report represent a synthesis of the principal archaeological features investigated. A summary of the deposits encountered in each trench is given in Appendix 1.
4.2 Natural deposits and soil sequences 4.2.1 In general, the sequences encountered in the trenching comprised modern topsoil, usually sealing subsoil, which in places was clearly colluvial in origin, sealing the clays of the Devensian tills. On the higher ground of the western half of the field, these tills generally comprise sandy clays containing patches of gravels and occasional large boulders (glacial erratics) whilst on the lower lying land to the east they appear to be more alluvial in origin, comprising finer grey clays, also containing large glacial erratics. In general
WA Project No. 84610.01 5
the archaeological features, where encountered, were cut through these tills, although in some cases later features were cut through the subsoils as well. In the lower lying trenches, sondages dug through the grey alluvial clays established that they did not appear to seal earlier archaeological horizons, merely sealing similar clay deposits, also containing apparent glacial erratics.
4.3 Archaeological features 4.3.1 A number of archaeological features and deposits were recorded in the trenches excavated (see Figure 2). Full descriptions of the features and deposits excavated can be found in Appendix 1, and a summary of the results is outlined here.
Trench 1 4.3.2 Trench 1 was aligned perpendicular to a low lynchet running broadly north- west to south-east and targeted on a strong linear anomaly identified in the geophysical survey of the site and interpreted as a possible road flanked by a pair of possible roadside ditches (ArchaeoPhysica 2012, 4).
4.3.3 Excavation of Trench 1 revealed a modern topsoil and colluvial subsoil sealing the natural geology – comprising a mixed glacial till in the north western half of the trench and a grey alluvial clay in the south eastern half of the trench. . A single archaeological feature was recorded, cutting this alluvial clay. This was a shallow ditch, 1003, aligned north east to south west, containing a single rapidly accumulated fill. This corresponds with an anomaly recorded as a possible roadside ditch on the geophysical survey (ArchaeoPhysica 2012). The lynchet to the west of this probably equates to the linear feature identified on the geophysics as a roadway, although no trace of a second ditch was recorded.
Trench 2 4.3.4 Trench 2 was aligned west to east, and targeted on a series of parallel anomalies identified in the geophysics survey (ArchaeoPhysica 2012). Removal of the modern topsoil revealed the drift geology, in the form of whitish grey clay containing occasional large glacial erratics. This was cut by two parallel modern French drains, comprising steep sided cuts filled with shattered angular slate and stones. These are clearly modern in origin.
4.3.5 A sondage was dug at the eastern end of this trench to investigate the clay further. This revealed lower bluish grey alluvial clay at a depth of some 1m, also containing glacial erratics (Plate 2). No archaeological features or deposits were recorded in this sondage.
Trench 3 4.3.6 Trench 3 was aligned north north west to south south east, and targeted on a series of parallel anomalies identified in the geophysics survey (ArchaeoPhysica 2012). Removal of the modern topsoil revealed the drift geology, in the form of whitish grey clay containing occasional large glacial erratics. This was cut by two parallel modern French drains, identical in form to those recorded in Trench 2.
WA Project No. 84610.01 6
Trench 4 4.3.7 Trench 4 was aligned north west to south east, and targeted the same strong linear anomaly identified in the geophysical survey of the site and investigated by Trench 1. This was interpreted as a possible road flanked by a pair of possible roadside ditches (ArchaeoPhysica 2012, 4) the trench also ran perpendicular to a low lynchet crossing the trench in the vicinity of this purported road.
4.3.8 Excavation established that this lynchet largely comprised a thick deposit of colluvial subsoil. Immediately to the south east of this earthwork, and on a similar alignment lay a shallow irregular ditch (4003, Plate 3). This contained a single fill (4004) from which a single sherd of post medieval or modern glazed pottery was recovered.
4.3.9 A modern land drain was recorded at the south-eastern end of the trench, identical in both form and alignment to the modern land drains recorded in Trenches 2 and 3.
Trench 5 4.3.10 Trench 5 was aligned approximately east north east to west south west. Excavation revealed an undisturbed sequence of topsoil, subsoil and natural deposits. No archaeological features or deposits were identified.
Trench 6 4.3.11 Trench 6 was aligned approximately west-north-west to east-south-east. As in trench 5, excavation revealed an undisturbed sequence of topsoil, subsoil and natural deposits. The underlying geology comprised a mixed group of glacial till deposits. No archaeological features or deposits were identified.
Trench 7 4.3.12 Trench 7 was aligned approximately north to south. As in trenches 5 and, excavation revealed an undisturbed sequence of topsoil, subsoil and natural deposits, with no archaeological features or deposits identified. Here too, the underlying geology was variable.
Trench 8 4.3.13 Trench 8 was targeted on a the south western end of the series of geophysical anomalies interpreted as a possible road (ArchaeoPhysica 2012, 4) and also targeted by trenches 1, 4 and 11. These were evident on the ground as a low lynchet at the base of the slope the aligned approximately north to south. Excavation of this trench revealed that this low lynchet largely comprised a thick colluvial subsoil (8001), suggesting that the lynchet had formed against a boundary, possibly a hedge. The underlying geology within this trench changed coincident with this break of slope and lynchet from a mixed glacial till upslope to the north-west to a grey alluvial clay in the lower lying south eastern end of the trench.
4.3.14 Three archaeological features were recorded within this trench. All three were sealed beneath the colluvial subsoil and cut the natural geology. The westernmost of these (8003) was a shallow oval cut, containing a single charcoal rich deposit (8004). The clay edges of this cut were reddened by
WA Project No. 84610.01 7
heat, suggesting that the charcoal deposit represented an episode of burning in situ, suggesting the feature may represent the remains of a hearth base. No artefacts were recovered from this feature. A sample of the fill of this feature was taken for charcoal/charred plant remains and for submission for radiocarbon dating.
4.3.15 The charcoal recorded within this pit comprised much well preserved large roundwood. This largely comprised alder, although cherry was also identified. Given the similarity in the wood burnt, it seems likely that a coppiced source was used, whilst the absence of charred plant remains suggests that the hearth may not have been domestic. It is even possible that the purpose of this feature was the production of charcoal itself. The charcoal submitted for radiocarbon dating returned a Late Romano-British or early post-Roman date (SUERC-39841, 1675±30, cal. AD 250-430).
4.3.16 A shallow ditch recorded further to the east (8007) appears to correspond to an anomaly recorded on the geophysics plot (Figure 3). This ditch, which had moderately steep concave sides and a concave base and contained a single slowly accumulated secondary fill (8008). Further to the east lay a second shallow linear feature – gully 8005. This had very steep, almost vertical sides and a flat base, and contained a single fill. It too appears to correspond to a faint anomaly detected on the geophysics survey (Figure 3) running perpendicular to the parallel drainage ditches in this area. It superficially resembles these features in profile, and may form part of the same drainage system.
Trench 9 4.3.17 Trench 9 was aligned approximately west to east, and lay in the lower lying area of the field to the east. The topsoil here was removed to reveal a mixed alluvial clay deposit (9001), containing a number of sizeable glacial erratics. No archaeological features or deposits were recorded in this trench.
Trench 10 4.3.18 Trench 10 was aligned broadly north to south, and lay in the lower lying area of the field to the east. The topsoil here sealed reveal a mixed grey alluvial clay deposit (10001), containing a small number of glacial erratics. Two modern land drains – both with vertical sides and packed with numerous fragments of broken slate and stone were recorded on a north west to south east alignment. Both of these correspond to faint anomalies on the geophysics plot for the site, and appear to form part of a modern drainage system in this lower lying area of the site.
Trench 11 4.3.19 Trench 11 was aligned north west to south east, and was targeted on the same series of linear anomalies as Trenches 1, 4 and 8. A low lynchet was noted corresponding with the location of these anomalies, which upon excavation was shown to comprise a build up of colluvial material (11001). The underlying natural geology in the north western end of the trench comprised a brownish orange glacial till, whilst homogenous grey alluvial clay lay on the lower slopes and south eastern end of the trench. A band of brown silt containing frequent small sub rounded gravels crossing the trench
WA Project No. 84610.01 8
on a broadly north south alignment (11005, not shown in plan) also proved, on examination, to be geological in origin. A single archaeological feature was recorded within this trench.
4.3.20 This comprised a single shallow ditch (11003, Plate 4) on a broadly north east to south west alignment. This had moderately steep sides and a concave base, and contained a single fill – 11004 a single sherd of post medieval pottery (probably dating to the 16th or 17th century) was recovered from this deposit. This corresponds to a linear anomaly shown on the geophysics survey.
Trench 12 4.3.21 Trench 12 was aligned broadly north east to south west, and was targeted on a meandering linear anomaly identified on the geophysics plot and corresponding to the line of a hedgeline shown on both the tithe map and modern Ordnance Survey Maps (Castlering Archaeology 2012). The topsoil in this trench directly overlay the natural geology. A broad linear feature (12002), corresponding to the line of the former hedgeline was recorded, but not excavated because of the presence of a substantial modern water pipe dug in to the top of the fill of this feature. Woody roots recorded in the top of this fill probably represent the remains of the former hedgerow.
Trench 13 4.3.22 Trench 12 was not excavated, following discussions with John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority, with Trench 39, one of the proposed mitigation trenches, excavated instead.
Trench 14 4.3.23 Trench 14 targeted the same meandering linear anomaly representing the line of the hedgeline recorded on the Tithe Map and Early ordnance Survey Maps as Trench 12. The trench was aligned north east to south west. A similar depositional sequence was encountered in this trench, with the topsoil directly overlying the natural geology. The former hedgeline itself was visible as a low meandering earthwork. Within the trench itself, it was visible as a broad and fairly deep ditch (14002) containing a sequence of three fills. Woody roots recorded in the uppermost of these three fills (14003) represent visible traces of the former hedgeline.
Trench 15 4.3.24 Trench 15 was aligned approximately north-west to south-east. Excavation revealed an undisturbed sequence of topsoil, subsoil and natural deposits. No archaeological features or deposits were identified. The underlying geology is very varied, and probably represents a mixed glacial till.
Trench 16 4.3.25 Trench 16 was aligned approximately west north-west to east-south-east. Excavation revealed an undisturbed sequence of topsoil, subsoil and natural deposits. No archaeological features or deposits were identified. The underlying geology is very varied, and changes from west to east. This may be reflected the geophysical anomalies in this area.
WA Project No. 84610.01 9
Trench 17 4.3.26 Trench 17 was predominantly aligned north west to south east, although following discussion with John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority, a short extension on a north east to south west alignment was machined from the north western corner of the trench. The topsoil in this trench sealed colluvial subsoil at the north western end of the trench, which thickened to form a substantial lynchet visible on the ground.
4.3.27 The natural geology varied across the trench, with an orange brown glacial till at the north western end of the trench and grey alluvial clay at the south eastern end of the trench. A grey layer, 17006, possibly a former land surface, was recorded across much of the north western end of the trench (see Figure 2). In places this contained concentrations of hardcore including medium and large sub rounded stones and some fragments of badly fired brick. Finds recovered from this layer included three sherds of Romano British pottery and a fragment of a sandstone rotary quern, which might also be Romano-British in date. Three other pottery sherds recovered from the same deposit includes both post medieval and modern material, indicating that the deposit may have suffered some later disturbance, probably by later ploughing.
4.3.28 This deposit is cut by two linear features and a small pit. The larger of the two linear features, 17007, was aligned roughly north east to south west, and had steep sides and contained two fills (Plate 5). These sealed a slate- built drain with flat slabs sealing a slate lined channel. This feature was not excavated further because it was clear that it still retained a drainage function. This feature is almost certainly the strong linear anomaly recorded in this area on the geophysics survey.
4.3.29 A smaller gully (17010) running parallel to this lay a short distance to the west. This also cut layer 17006. It was dug on a north west to south east alignment, and had steep regular sides and a flattish base. This does not obviously correspond to any anomaly on the geophysics survey. It contained a single secondary fill. No finds were recovered from this feature.
4.3.30 The third feature cutting layer 17006 was a shallow sub-ovoid cut (17015). This contained a single charcoal rich fill, and may represent the remains of a hearth. A sample of the only fill (17014) was taken for charcoal and charred plants identification, as well as for submission for C14 dating. This feature is very similar in form to the undated feature excavated in Trench 8.
4.3.31 The charcoal from this feature was also dominated by alder, although ash was also present. As with 8003, the charcoal contained much large roundwood, possibly from a coppiced source. The charcoal submitted for radiocarbon dating returned an early medieval date (SUERC-39842, 1115±30, cal. AD 830-1020).
4.3.32 The fourth and final feature in this trench was a further gully, 17012, further downslope from 17007 and 17010. This too was on a north east to south west alignment. It was cut through the natural geology, had steep regular sides and a flattish base, and contained a single fill. No finds were
WA Project No. 84610.01 10
recovered. This feature does not correspond with any obvious anomalies on the geophysics survey.
Trench 18 4.3.33 Trench 18 was aligned north west to south east, and targeted on a weak linear anomaly identified on the geophysical survey of the site, running perpendicular to the trench (ArchaeoPhysica 2012).
4.3.34 Removal of the topsoil and shallow subsoil revealed further colluvial subsoil, which was relatively shallow at the north western end of the trench and becoming increasingly thick towards the south eastern end of the trench, where it forms the tail of a large lynchet visible to the south east and targeted by trenches 21 and 25. This subsoil sealed the natural geology, a mixed glacial till.
4.3.35 A single archaeological feature was recorded in this trench – a shallow gully (18004) on a north east to south west alignment. This corresponds closely with the geophysical anomaly, and was sealed beneath the colluvial subsoil, directly cutting the natural geology. It contained a single secondary fill, from which no finds were recovered.
Trench 19 4.3.36 Trench 19 was aligned north east to south west, and targeted on a weak linear anomaly identified on the geophysical survey of the site (ArchaeoPhysica 2012). Excavation of the trench revealed that the topsoil and subsoil sealed a layer of colluvial subsoil similar to that encountered in the adjacent Trench 18. This in turn overlay the natural geology – a mixed glacial till. No archaeological features were recorded in this trench, and extensive cleaning of the trench and sections failed to identify any feature corresponding to the anomaly on the geophysics plot.
Trench 20 4.3.37 Trench 20 was aligned north east to south west, and targeted on a weak linear anomaly identified running perpendicular to the trench on the geophysical survey of the site (ArchaeoPhysica 2012). Excavation of the trench revealed that the topsoil sealed moderately thick mixed colluvial subsoil, which in turn sealed the upper surface of the natural geology. A band of sterile grey silty gravel within this geology broadly corresponds to the anomaly recorded by the geophysics. Upon investigation, this was determined to be geological in origin.
Trench 21 4.3.38 Trench 21 was aligned north west to south east, and targeted on a strong linear anomaly and associated area of probable soil build up running parallel to it. Both ran broadly perpendicular to the trench and can be seen on the geophysical survey of the site (see Figure 3). The soil build up clearly corresponded to a sizeable lynchet visible running across the slope at this point.
4.3.39 Excavation established that the shallow modern topsoil and subsoil deposits sealed a further build up of colluvial subsoil confined to the north western
WA Project No. 84610.01 11
end of the trench. The underlying geology in the trench varied from an orange brown glacial till in the north western half of the trench to a bluish grey alluvial silty clay in the south eastern.
4.3.40 A single feature was recorded cutting through these natural deposits. this comprised a ditch, aligned roughly north east to south west (21006), which lay immediately at the base of slope of the colluvial lynchet, and on a similar alignment. Excavation of this ditch revealed that two deliberate backfills (21007 and 21008) sealed a slate lined drain. Cleaning revealed that the flat slate slabs forming the cover to this drain were still in situ and that the drain appeared to still be functioning. In order to preserve the integrity of this drain, excavation ceased when the slate cover was exposed.
Trench 22 4.3.41 Trench 22 was a double width trench, aligned roughly north west to south east. It was designed to investigate a series of anomalies recorded on the geophysics interpreted as representing a series of rectilinear enclosures thought likely to relate to the presence of buildings (ArchaeoPhysica, 2012, 5). Two linear anomalies forming part of this group were targeted by Trench 22.
4.3.42 Removal of the topsoil deposit by machine revealed the grey alluvial grey clay of the natural geology extending across the trench. Initially it was very difficult to identify any features cut into this deposit, but after a reduction of the upper surface of this deposit by a few inches and careful cleaning, three linear features cutting the top of this deposit were revealed (22002, 22005 and 22007 see Figure 2), two of which appear to correspond to linear anomalies on the geophysics plot (see Figure 3). All three shared the same north east – to south west alignment.
4.3.43 The westernmost of these, 22002, was a vertical sided cut with a flat base. It contained two fills, the lowest of which (22004) is a shallow silty deposit, which appears to have formed whilst the feature was open. This was sealed by a less well sorted deposit (22003), perhaps a deliberate backfill. A single sherd of post medieval pottery was recovered from 22003.
4.3.44 To the south of this, cut 22005 contained a single fill. This too had vertical sides and a flat base, and contained a single fill – 22006, a packing of angular and sub angular stones designed to aid drainage of water (see Plate 6).
4.3.45 The third of these was gully 22007. This too had steep sides. it contained a slate built drain buried underneath a single deliberate backfill (22008). This was visible as a line of flat cover slabs obviously set on vertically set slabs of slate. This drain was not excavated further, but left in situ.
Trench 23 4.3.46 Trench 23 lay immediately to the south west of trench 22, and was aligned north east to south west. Here, the topsoil sealed shallow subsoil, which in turn sealed the natural clay geology. The single archaeological feature recorded in this trench (23004) corresponds with a slight anomaly recorded on the geophysical plot (ArchaeoPhysica 2012, 5).
WA Project No. 84610.01 12
4.3.47 Gully 23004 was aligned approximately north west to south east, and contained a single sterile clay fill, probably the result of a slow silting process. no finds were recovered from this deposit.
Trench 24 4.3.48 Trench 24 lay in the south eastern corner of the site, and was aligned north west to south east. It was targeted on a diffuse series of geological anomalies interpreted as possibly geological in origin (ArchaeoPhysica, 2012, 4 5). The topsoil and subsoil were removed from this trench to reveal a mixed natural geology. Three distinct geological deposits were recorded, one of which, light brownish orange sandy silt in the centre of the trench, broadly corresponds with the anomaly recorded by the geophysics team.
Trench 25 4.3.49 Trench 25 was a long trench aligned north west to south east, and targeted on the same linear anomalies as trench 21 – an area of deeper soil and a strong linear anomaly suggestive of a ditch. The former clearly corresponds to a substantial lynchet running across the slope at this point. Excavation of the trench confirmed that beneath a relatively modern topsoil and subsoil revealed deep colluvial subsoil at the north western end of the trench forming the body of the lynchet. This subsoil deposit directly overlay the natural geology within the trench (a grey brown clay in the north western half of the trench and a grey clay in the south eastern)
4.3.50 Two cut features were excavated cutting through these geological deposits. The westernmost of these two, 25005, lay at the base of the lynchet, and was aligned north east to south west (Plate 7). Excavation established that this was a relatively late feature, being cut through the upper subsoil deposit (25002). Three fills of this ditch were excavated (25006, 25007 and 25008) All three were deliberate backfills, and the lowest, 25006, which contained a single sherd of post-medieval pottery, sealed a slate built drain. A series of flat slabs forming the roof of this drain were exposed, apparently supported on slate sides. This drain was not excavated further. This is almost certainly the same drain exposed in Trench 17 as 17007 and as 21006 in Trench 21
4.3.51 The second feature, 25009 (Plate 8) lay on a slightly different alignment, although in the same north east to south western direction as 25005. Excavation established that this too contained a small slate lined drain, constructed in the base of a narrow steep sided cut. This was sealed beneath a single deliberate backfill (25010). The drain itself was not excavated further. It is likely to be the same feature as recorded in Trench 22 as 22008.
Trench 26 4.3.52 Trench 26 was targeted on a weak linear anomaly recorded on the geophysics plot (see ArchaeoPhysica, 2012, 4 5). The trench itself was aligned broadly north east to south west. The topsoil and subsoil were removed by machine to reveal a mixed natural geology. Initially no features appeared to cut the geology in this area, but careful re-machining and cleaning of the trench revealed a shallow gully (26004) evident in section.
WA Project No. 84610.01 13
No finds were recorded from the only fill of this feature, which lay broadly on the north-west to south-east alignment.
Trench 27 4.3.53 Trench 27 lay in the north western corner of the site, and was aligned broadly west-north-west to east-south-east, and targeted a weak linear anomaly identified on the geophysics survey. The modern topsoil and subsoil sealed two further subsoils, one of which (27003) appears to represent a colluvial deposit, whilst 27004 may represent the remains of a former land surface. These sealed the underlying geology, a reddish brown glacial till.
Trench 28 4.3.54 Trench 28 was aligned on the same slight linear anomaly on the Geophysics plot as Trench 26. The trench was aligned broadly north east to south west. The modern topsoil and subsoil sealed colluvial subsoil. This in turn sealed the natural geology, a mixed orange brown glacial till.
4.3.55 A single archaeological feature was recorded. Gully 28006 was aligned broadly north west to south east, and is likely to be the feature identified on the geophysics survey. It was relatively substantial, with steep sides and a flattish base, and had been cut through the colluvial subsoil, making it relatively late in the sequence. No finds were recovered from the only fill.
Trench 29 4.3.56 Trench 29 was the most westerly trench excavated. It was aligned roughly north east to south west. An undisturbed sequence of deposits was recorded, with the topsoil and subsoil sealing a mixed brownish grey glacial till containing a number of glacial erratics. No archaeological features were recorded.
Trench 30 4.3.57 Trench 30 lay in the south western corner of the site and was aligned roughly north east to south west. It targeted a targeted a weak linear anomaly identified on the geophysics survey. An undisturbed sequence of deposits was recorded, with the topsoil and subsoil sealing a mixed mid grey glacial till containing a number of glacial erratics. No archaeological features were recorded.
Trench 39 4.3.58 Trench 39 was originally planned as one of the contingency trenches. Following discussions on site with John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority, this trench was excavated instead of Trench 12 to provide a more even coverage of the site. An undisturbed sequence of deposits was recorded within the trench, with the topsoil and subsoil sealing a mid whitish grey clay (probably an alluvial clay of glacial origin) containing a number of glacial erratics. No archaeological features were recorded.
WA Project No. 84610.01 14
5 FINDS
5.1.1 The evaluation produced a small quantity of finds, nearly all ceramic. These derived from contexts in seven of the trenches excavated; quantities by material type are given in Table 1.
5.2 Pottery 5.2.1 Three of the 15 pottery sherds, all from context 17006, are Romano-British, comprising one sherd of south-east Dorset Black Burnished ware (BB1), one of coarse oxidised ware and one of coarse greyware. All are undiagnostic, and cannot be dated more closely within the Romano-British period, although the Black Burnished ware is unlikely to have reached this area before the 2nd century AD. The three sherds are clearly residual in this context, occurring with post-medieval and modern wares, and are heavily abraded.
5.2.2 The remaining 12 sherds are post-medieval or modern. The earliest appears to be a single sherd of blackware from context 11004; this is from the rim of a jar, and is of 16th or 17th century date. Six sherds of coarse, black-glazed redware (contexts 4004, 17001, 17006, 22003, 25006) are broadly dated as post-medieval, although probably dating to the 18th century or later; none are diagnostic. A sherd of white salt glaze with ‘scratch blue’ decoration (context 19001) is dated c. 1740-80, while the remaining four sherds are of refined whitewares of 19th or 20th century date (contexts 17001, 17006, 18001).
5.3 Stone 5.3.1 One of the two pieces of stone from context 17006 is in greensand, and appears to be part of a rotary quern, probably of Romano-British date. The second fragment is less certainly worked, and is in ferruginous sandstone.
5.4 Further recommendations 5.4.1 This is a very small assemblage, but the presence of Romano-British items is of interest; these should certainly be retained for long-term curation, although the post-medieval finds and uncertainly worked stone are of limited value and could be discarded prior to archive deposition. No further analysis is required.
Table 1: All finds by context (number / weight in grammes)
Context Pottery Stone 4004 1/58 11004 1/21 17001 2/31 17006 6/50 2/54 18001 1/11 19001 1/3 22003 2/9 25006 1/8 TOTAL 15/191 2/54
WA Project No. 84610.01 15
6 ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE
6.1 Introduction and Objectives 6.1.1 Two environmental samples were taken during the course of the evaluation, both from the charcoal rich fills of small hearths (layer 8004, cut 8003 and layer 17014, cut 17015). Samples of these were taken for the identification of charcoal to species, the recovery and identification of possible charred plant remains. Identified pieces of charcoal were also submitted for AMS radiocarbon dating to elucidate the chronology of the Site.
6.2 Charred plant remains and wood charcoal 6.2.1 The bulk samples were processed by standard flotation methods; the flot retained on a 0.5 mm mesh, residues fractionated into 5.6 mm, 2mm and 1mm fractions and dried. The coarse fractions (>5.6 mm) were sorted, weighed and discarded. Flots were scanned under a x10 – x40 stereo- binocular microscope and the preservation and nature of the charred plant and wood charcoal remains recorded in Table 2. Preliminary identifications of dominant or important taxa are noted below, following the nomenclature of Stace (1997).
6.2.2 The flots were very large with low numbers of roots and modern seeds that may be indicative of stratigraphic movement and the possibility of contamination by later intrusive elements. Charred material was comprised varying degrees of preservation.
6.2.3 No charred plant remains were observed within the samples.
6.2.4 Wood charcoal fragments >4mm were recovered in very large quantities from both features. A rapid scan indicates the majority of pieces are of well preserved large roundwood and it may be there is a good deal of consistency in terms of age and diameter amongst these assemblages. A few pieces were identified in order to select suitable material for radiocarbon dating. Of the five pieces identified for 8003 <801>, four were of alder (Alnus glutinosa) roundwood and one was of cherry type (Prunus sp.) roundwood. Of the five identified for 17015 <802>, again four were of alder and one was of young ash (Fraxinus excelsior) wood charcoal. While it might be tentatively suggested that there is a dominant type (alder), there are clearly other species within the assemblages too.
6.2.5 The samples contained no other material, such as slag or pottery, to provide information on either the date or function of these features.
Table 2. Assessment of the charred plant remains and charcoal
Vol Flot Charred Charcoal > Analysis Trench Feature Context Sample (L) size Roots % Grain Chaff Other 4/2mm Undated Pit/hearths Tr 8 8003 8004 801 12 2500 2 - - - 1000/650 ml ?C Tr 17 17015 17014 802 18 4500 2 - - - 1750/1500 ml ?C
WA Project No. 84610.01 16
Key: Analysis: C = charcoal
6.3 Radiocarbon Dating 6.3.1 Young pieces of wood charcoal were chosen for both of the assessed hearths, identified to species and submitted to SUERC for AMS radiocarbon dating. The returned radiocarbon determinations were calibrated using OxCal 4.1.7 (Bronk Ramsey 2001; 2009) and the IntCal09 calibration curve (Reimer et al. 2009) and are quoted in the form recommended by Mook (1986) with the end points rounded outward to 10 years (Table 3).
6.3.2 The dates show that the two features are separated by a significant chronological gap, Hearth 8003 being of Late Romano-British or post- Roman in date (SUERC-39841, 1675±30, cal. AD 250-430) and Hearth 17015 being later in the early medieval period early medieval or date (SUERC-39842, 1115±30, cal. AD 830-1020). Some longevity and continuation of use of the Site is indicated.
Table 3. Radiocarbon Results
Feature, Material Dated Laboratory δ13C Date Cal. BC (2 sigma) Period context, sample Code BP 95.4% no. Hearth 8003 Alnus glutinosa roundwood SUERC- -27.40‰ 1675±30 cal. AD 250-430 Romano- 8004 801 charcoal 39841 British - post- Roman Hearth 17015 Juvenile Fraxinus excelsior SUERC- -25.00‰ 1115±30 cal. AD 830-1020 Early 17014 802 wood charcoal 39842 Medieval
6.4 Potential Charred plant remains 6.4.1 There is no potential due to the absence of charred plant remains.
Wood charcoal 6.4.2 The analysis of the wood charcoal from both dated hearth features has the potential to provide information on the range of species and the management and exploitation of the local woodland resource, notably the presence of similar age and size roundwood may be indicative of coppice management in the area. The paucity of artefactual material, the possible dominance of alder and used of coppiced roundwood together hint at the possibility that these features relate to charcoal making (cf. Edlin 1949). Analysis would be required to explore this hypothesis further, and may assist in determining the likely function or settlement activity represented by these features. Should further mitigation works be undertaken, similar charcoal- rich features should also be sampled and assessed, and, if necessary, dated. Should no further works take place, the two charcoal samples presented here should be analysed.
Radiocarbon Dating 6.4.3 The dates already obtained have provided the required chronological information and therefore there is no further potential.
WA Project No. 84610.01 17
7 CONCLUSIONS
7.1.1 The evaluation has comprehensively investigated the geophysical anomalies recorded on the site (ArchaeoPhysica 2012) and characterised the nature of the buried archaeological resource on the site. Although only a few artefacts were recovered during the course of the fieldwork, these provide sufficient evidence to allow a number of the key features on the site to be phased, whilst elsewhere relative stratigraphy allows features to be phased with some certainty. The majority of the features recorded appear to be post- medieval in date, although some key features could not be phased, and the presence of a number of Roman sherds of pottery and a fragment of quernstone point to Roman activity in the vicinity of the site, and very possibly within the site itself.
7.2 Roman 7.2.1 A small quantity of Roman material was recovered. All of this material was recovered from 17006, a moderately thick silty grey layer recorded in trench 17. Although the full extents of this deposit were not ascertained, its south eastern and north eastern limits were defined within Trench 17 and it did not extend as far north west as trench 18 or as far south west as trench 21, suggesting that it is a fairly localised deposit. Other material recovered from the same deposit includes a small number of sherds of post-medieval and modern pottery.
7.2.2 The Roman pottery itself is abraded, and a small number of post medieval and modern sherds were recovered in association with this deposit. However, the fact that the deposit is cut by hearth 17015, radiocarbon dated to the early medieval period, suggests that the formation of this deposit is likely to be Romano-British or post-Roman in date, and that the post- medieval and modern material is likely to be intrusive, perhaps introduced by later ploughing or by one of the many post-medieval features which cut this deposit. Given that there is a dearth of similar Roman material from elsewhere on the site it seems most likely that, even if it is residual in layer 17006, it derives from nearby, perhaps sealed by 17006, and it should be considered as evidence for Roman activity, however limited, on the site.
7.2.3 Hearth 8003 is likely to be Late Roman in date, although the radiocarbon date does allow for a 5th century date. Its function is not entirely clear in the absence of any evidence for metalworking or charred plant remains, and the possibility that it was actually made to produce charcoal cannot be discounted. Certainly the selection of large pieces of possibly coppiced roundwood might support this. Interestingly, the main species within the charcoal is alder, which may have grown in the wetland at the base of the slope, and thus been very close at hand.
7.3 Early medieval, Post-medieval and Modern 7.3.1 A single early medieval feature (17015) was excavated on the site. This hearth, very similar to 8003, contained charcoal dated to the early medieval period. The similarity between the two features and the composition of the charcoal they contained suggests that they shared the same function, although several centuries apart.
WA Project No. 84610.01 18
7.3.2 It is clear from the results of the evaluation that in the late medieval or post medieval period the site was originally divided into four fields. One of the boundaries effecting this subdivision ran approximately west north west to east south east across the site, and was visible on both the 1842 Tithe Map and on later Ordnance Survey maps, before being removed in the second half of the 20th century. This boundary was visible on the Geophysics survey as a slightly meandering anomaly, and was recorded in the evaluation as 12002 and 14002. Woody roots recorded in the fills of both features attest to the presence of a modern hedge line associated with this feature.
7.3.3 To the north of this boundary, the land was further subdivided by a ditch, probably associated with a hedge and hedge bank. This also shows on the Geophysics plot, and was initially interpreted as a putative road or trackway. The ditch itself was investigated in several places (1003, 4003, 8007 and 11003). Pottery recovered from the fills of this ditch indicate that it was silting in the post medieval or modern period, whilst the cartographic evidence suggests that it had been removed before 1842.
7.3.4 To the west of this boundary, a build up of colluvial material into a low but visible lynchet points to the field upslope (west) of the boundary being ploughed in the past, with colluvial material moving downslope to form the lynchet against the hedge or hedge bank. To the east the land is flatter, lower lying and poorer drained even today. A series of parallel anomalies recorded on the Geophysics plot in this area were identified as late post medieval or modern French drains in trenches 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10. These were clearly dug to aid with drainage of the lower lying land. Discussions with the landowner indicated that these may have been dug by captured prisoners of war during the Second World War as part of land improvements in the area.
7.3.5 The land to the south of the boundary shown on the 1842 Tithe Map was also divided into two. Here the former boundary was evident as a more substantial lynchet, aligned broadly north east to south west, and investigated in Trenches 17, 21 and 25, and clearly visible on the geophysics plot. The stratigraphic evidence clearly indicates that this lynchet formed before the insertion of a slate lined drain in a ditch in a steep sided cut at the base of the lynchet (recorded variously as 17007, 21006 and 25005). Pottery recovered from the fills of this ditch suggests that this was dug in the 18th century or later. The boundary represented by this lynchet, presumably once hedged, was clearly removed prior to the survey for the Tithe Map of 1842.
7.3.6 A series of rectilinear anomalies recorded on the Geophysics survey were tentatively interpreted as associated with a building, and targeted by Trenches 22, 23 and 25. Excavation of these indicates that they represent a series of parallel drains or drainage gullies, possibly dug to drain the flatter piece of land in which they sit. These all have a different form, with a slate built drain recorded in 22007 and 25009, a rubble filled French drain in 22005 and simple gullies in 22002 and 23004. The latter is likely to be post- medieval in date, given its shared alignment with the other drains in Trench 22, but 23004 is not well phased.
WA Project No. 84610.01 19
7.3.7 The only other feature of post-medieval date is 17010, which cuts through layer 17006, and is therefore likely to be post-medieval or later in date.
7.4 Unphased 7.4.1 A small number of features excavated could not be dated. These include gullies 17012, 18004, 23004 and the geophysical anomaly recorded as gullies 26004 and 28006. None of these were dated artefactually, and none had sufficient stratigraphic associations to allow them to be phased further. Whilst some of these are likely to be post-medieval or modern, some (such as the linear 26004/28006) appear on the geophysics plot to be unrelated to the post medieval boundary system, and it is possible that these relate to earlier activity on the site. Given that the hearth is likely to be associated directly with settlement or settlement related activity such as crop processing, it is recommended that the sample taken be fully assessed and suitable material submitted for a C14 date.
7.5 Conclusions and recommendations 7.5.1 The archaeological evaluation has established that the majority of the features revealed by the geophysical survey of the site are Post-medieval or modern in date and relate to the division of the current site into four fields and associated attempts at drainage and water management. A small number of features could not be dated. The vast majority of the anomalies identified on the Geophysical survey were identified, with only a few weak anomalies not located in evaluation trenches, and there can be little doubt that the Geophysical survey represents a largely accurate representation of the buried archaeological resource.
7.5.2 A small assemblage of Roman material was recovered from a single deposit in Trench 17 (layer 17006). Although Post-medieval and modern pottery in the same deposit this is likely to be intrusive. The deposit is cut by an early medieval hearth, and is therefore most likely to be Roman or post-Roman in date. Even if the Roman material is residual in 17006, a possibility given the levels of abrasion, there is every likelihood, that it originally came from features on the Site, and its presence suggests Roman activity, however limited, on the Site. A single hearth (8003), possibly a charcoal burning feature, recorded in Trench 8, dates to the Late Roman period.
7.5.3 A single early medieval feature, 17015, may also be a charcoal burning feature. Interestingly, the assemblage is very similar to the Late Roman one, suggesting that coppicing of woodland resources was taking place at this time, with alder still the main species present.
7.5.4 Although the majority of the features recorded on the Site are Post-medieval and modern in date, there is a possibility that construction works on the Site will impact on hitherto unidentified Roman remains. Discussions with John Roberts, Archaeologist for the Snowdonia National Park Authority have suggested that further works may be required to mitigate against such an impact. These mitigatory works are most likely to take the form of a watching brief on intrusive works such as ground reduction works, the excavation of footing trenches and the laying of services.
WA Project No. 84610.01 20
8 ARCHIVE
8.1 Preparation and Deposition 8.1.1 The complete project archive will be prepared in accordance to Wessex Archaeology’s Guidelines for Archive Preparation and accordance with Guidelines for the preparation of excavation archives for long-term storage (UKIC 1990). Details of the Archaeological Evaluation will also be entered into the online “Oasis” database maintained by the Archaeological Date Service (ADS).
8.2 The Archive 8.2.1 The Archaeological Evaluation project archives consists of:
One A4 file containing the paper records Digital data (site photographs, drawings, Word and pdf files).
8.2.2 The archive is currently held at the offices of Wessex Archaeology in Salisbury under the project code of 84610. On completion of the project, it is anticipated that the archive will be deposited with the Gwynedd Museum and Art Museum, Bangor.
8.2.3 The retained artefacts are currently stored and held at the offices of Wessex Archaeology. All material is packaged according to overall standards required for the acceptance of archaeological archives.
8.2.4 The complete site archive will be prepared to comply with guidelines set out in Guidelines for the preparation of excavation archives for long-term storage (Walker 1990).
8.3 Copyright 8.3.1 The full copyright of the written/illustrative archive relating to the Site will be retained by Wessex Archaeology Ltd under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 with all rights reserved. The Museum, however, will be granted an exclusive licence for the use of the archive for educational purposes, including academic research, providing that such use shall be non-profit-making, and conforms to the Copyright and Related Rights regulations 2003.
8.4 Security Copy 8.4.1 In line with current best practice, on completion of the project a security copy of the paper records will be prepared, in the form of microfilm. The master jackets and one diazo copy of the microfilm will be submitted to the RCAHMW in Aberystwyth; a second diazo copy will be deposited with the paper records at the Gwynedd Museum and Art Museum, Bangor, and a third diazo copy will be retained by Wessex Archaeology.
WA Project No. 84610.01 21
9 REFERENCES
ArchaeoPhysica Ltd, 2012, Llanegryn, Gwynedd, Geophysical Survey Report. Unpublished client report, February 2012.
British Geological Survey of Great Britain (England and Wales),
Bronk Ramsey, C, 2001, Development of the radiocarbon calibration program OxCal, Radiocarbon 43, 355-63
Bronk Ramsay, C, 2009, Bayesian Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates, Radiocarbon 51(1), 337-360.
Castlering Archaeology, 2012, Proposed Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llenegryn, Merionethshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Report 375.
Crew, P. and Musson, C., 1996, Snowdonia from the Air, Patterns in the Landscape. SNP & RCAHMW
Edlin, H.L. 1949. Woodland Crafts in Britain. An Account of the Traditional Uses of Trees and Timbers in the British Countryside. London: BT Batsford
Gaunt, G. D. 1994. Geology of the country around Goole, Doncaster and the Isle of Axholme. Memoir of one-inch sheets 79 and 88 (England and Walses). London: HMSO.
Grimes, W.F., 1951, The Prehistory of Wales, Cardiff
Institute for Archaeologists, 2008, Standards and Guidance for: Archaeological Excavation, Watching Brief and Evaluation.
Laws, K., 2007, Llanegryn Archaeological Survey: RCAHMW Uplands Initiative 2007. Engineering Archaeological Services Ltd.
Mook, W.G., 1986, ‘Business Meeting: recommendations/resolutions adopted by the twelfth international radiocarbon conference’, Radiocarbon 28, 799.
Reimer, P. J., Baillie, M. G. L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J. W., Blackwell, P. G., Bronk Ramsey, C., Buck, C. E., Burr, G. S., Edwards, R. L., Friedrich, M., Grootes, P. M., Guilderson, T. P., Hajdas, I., Heaton, T. J., Hogg, A. G., Hughen, K. A., Kaiser, K. F., Kromer, B., McCormac, F. G., Manning, S. W., Reimer, R. W., Richards, D. A., Southon, J. R., Talamo, S., Turney, C. S. M., van der Plicht, J., & Weyhenmeyer, C. E. (2009). IntCal09 and Marine09 radiocarbon age calibration curves, 0-50,000 years cal BP. Radiocarbon, 51(4), 1111-1150.
Walker, K., 1990, Guidelines for the preparation of excavation archives for long-term storage, UKIC Archaeology Section.
WA Project No. 84610.01 22
Wessex Archaeology, 2012, Ysgol Bro Dysynni, Llanegryn, Gwynedd, Wales: Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Trial Trenching, unpublished Client report, Ref: T15803.01
WA Project No. 84610.01 23
APPENDIX 1: TABLE OF TRENCH DESCRIPTIONS
All depths are below ground level. The order in which the deposits are listed represents their stratigraphic position, except where noted.
Dimensions : 30.31m x 1.70m x 0.97m
Trench 1 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259856.14, 305187.50, 22.19m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259879. 34, 305167.64, 19.22m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Grey brown sandy silt containing occasional small and medium sub 1000 Topsoil 0 – 0.37 rounded stones. Root disturbed. Reddish brown sandy clay silt containing very occasional small and 1001 Subsoil. 0.37 – 0.45 medium sub rounded stones. A poorly sorted colluvial subsoil. Greyish brown silty clay extends across the north westernmost half Natural 1002 of the trench. The geology in the south eastern half of the trench 0.45+ geology comprises an alluvial grey clay. Shallow ditch, with moderately steep sides and a concave base. 1003 Cut Aligned approximately north east to south west. Contained a single 0.45 – 0.97 fill (1004). Reddish brown sandy silt with yellow patches containing occasional 1004 Fill small and medium sub rounded stones. Relatively rapidly 0.45 – 0.97 accumulated secondary fill of ditch 1003. No finds.
Dimensions : 20m x 2.20m x 1.20m
Trench 2 Land use: Pasture (W) 259871, 305159.10, 19.28m aOD Coordinates: (E) 259890, 305159.40, 18.95m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 2000 Topsoil 0 – 0.30 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Mid whitish grey silt clay containing occasional large sub rounded stones (glacial erratics). Patches of orange clay and iron panning Natural 2001 throughout. A sondage at the eastern end of the trench revealed 0.30+ geology that this sealed a lower bluish grey sandy clay, also probably alluvial in origin. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 2002 Cut 0.30+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 2003 Cut 0.30+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated.
Dimensions : 30m x 2.20m x 0.20m
Trench 3 Land use: Pasture (NNW) 259858.76, 305144.07, 19.29m aOD Coordinates: (SSE) 259864.81, 305115.08, 18.60m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 3000 Topsoil 0 – 0.20 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Mid whitish grey silt clay containing occasional large sub rounded Natural 3001 stones (glacial erratics). Patches of orange clay and iron panning 0.20+ geology throughout. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 3002 Cut 0.20+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 3003 Cut 0.20+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated.
WA Project No. 84610.01 24
Dimensions : 40m x 2.30m x 0.75m
Trench 4 Land use: Pasture (NNW) 259811.43, 305152.06, 23.03m aOD Coordinates: (SSE) 259841.12, 305126.37, 19.31m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown friable clay loam containing occasional small and 4000 Topsoil 0 – 0.26 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Mid reddish brown silty clay containing very occasional small sub rounded slate inclusions. A colluvial subsoil which thickens to form a 4001 Subsoil 0.26 – 0.50 lynchet aligned approximately north east to south west across the trench approximately half way along its length. The north western half of the trench contains a mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional large sub rounded glacial erratics, Natural whilst the south eastern half of the trench contains a mid whitish 4002 0.50+ Geology grey sandy clay with lenses of blue clay and patches of orange, containing occasional small and medium sub rounded stones and very occasional large sub rounded glacial erratics. Shallow ditch, aligned approximately north east to south west, with 4003 Cut an irregular sloping base, possibly affected by bioturbation. 0.50 – 0.75 Contains a single fill – 4004 Secondary fill of 4003. a brown sandy silt containing common small 4004 Fill sub angular stones. A single piece of brown glazed pottery was 0.50 – 0.75 recovered from this deposit. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 4005 Cut 0.50+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.75m x 0.65m
Trench 5 Land use: Pasture (WSW) 259777.39, 305168.06, 26.76m aOD Coordinates: (ENE) 259796.83, 305165.75, 25.36m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 5000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown sandy silt with occasional small and 5001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.65 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Natural. A light greyish brown silty sand containing fragments of Natural 5002 small and medium angular slate fragments and occasional large sub 0.65+ geology angular boulders.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.75m x 0.60m
Trench 6 Land use: Pasture (WSW) 259787.40, 305147.19, 24.73m aOD Coordinates: (ENE) 259807.12, 305152.02, 23.42m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 6000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid brownish orange sandy silt with occasional small and 6001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.55 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Natural. At the western end of the trench this comprises a mid brownish orange clay silt, which changes in the central third of the trench to a mid whitish grey silty clay, whilst at the extreme south Natural 6002 eastern end of the trench the natural comprises very high 0.55+ geology proportions of fragmented slate in a matrix of mid brownish grey sandy silt. All three of these deposits contained occasional large sub rounded boulders (glacial erratics)
Dimensions : 30m x 1.75m x 0.65m Trench 7 Land use: Pasture
WA Project No. 84610.01 25
(WSW) 259761.75, 305151.55, 27.02m aOD Coordinates: (ENE) 259767.68, 305122.44, 24.66m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 7000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown sandy silt with occasional small and 7001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.65 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Natural. At the northern end of the trench this comprises a mid brownish orange clay silt, which changes in the central third of the trench to a mid whitish grey silty clay, whilst at the extreme southern Natural 7002 end of the trench the natural comprises very high proportions of 0.65+ geology fragmented slate in a matrix of mid brownish grey sandy silt. All three of these deposits contained occasional large sub rounded boulders (glacial erratics)
Dimensions : 40m x 2.20m x 0.65m
Trench 8 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259784.83, 305128.49, 23.60m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259815.14, 305103.37, 20.02m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 8000 Topsoil 0 – 0.45 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 8001 Subsoil medium sub-rounded stones and occasional large sub rounded 0.45 – 0.65 boulders. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Natural. At the north western end of the trench this comprises a mid brownish orange clay silt, whilst the south eastern half of the trench Natural 8002 is dominated by a mid whitish grey silty clay containing occasional 0.65+ geology small and medium sub-rounded stones. Both of these deposits contained occasional large sub rounded boulders (glacial erratics) Shallow oval cut with shallow sides and a slightly flat base. Contains 8003 Cut a single in situ burnt deposit (8004). Cut through the natural 0.65 – 0.71 geology. Dark greyish brown sandy silt containing significant quantities of 8004 Fill charcoal. Reddening of the clay edges to this feature and the 0.65 – 0.71 charcoal rich fill suggest that this is an in situ burnt deposit. Cut of shallow gully aligned broadly north east to south west, with very steep, almost vertical, sides and a flat base. This cut is similar 8005 Cut in form, and perpendicular to the land drains excavated in the lower 0.65 – 0.87 lying land to the east, and may be part of the same complex. Cut through the natural geology. Medium grey coarse sandy silt containing common small angular 8006 Fill stones. The only fill of 8005. Poorly sorted, probably a deliberate 0.65 – 0.87 backfill. Cut of shallow ditch aligned broadly north east to south west, with 8007 Cut moderately steep slightly concave sides and a concave base. 0.65 – 0.95 Contained a single fill, 8008. Cut through the natural geology. Medium greyish brown sandy silt containing common small and 8008 Fill medium sub rounded and sub angular stones. Slowly accumulated 0.65 – 0.95 secondary fill of 8007.
Dimensions : 30m x 2.20m x 0.20m
Trench 9 Land use: Pasture (W) 259830.43, 305101.72, 19.50m aOD Coordinates: (E) 259860.06, 305103.29, 18.69m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 9000 Topsoil 0 – 0.20 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Mid whitish grey silt clay containing occasional large sub rounded Natural 9001 stones (glacial erratics). A sondage dug at the eastern end of this 0.20+ geology trench revealed that this sealed a lower mid greyish blue sandy clay
WA Project No. 84610.01 26
Dimensions : 20m x 2.20m x 0.30m
Trench 10 Land use: Pasture (N) 259824.15, 305093.42, 19.67m aOD Coordinates: (S) 259827.09, 305074.10, 19.69m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 10000 Topsoil 0 – 0.20 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Mid whitish grey silt clay containing occasional medium sized Natural angular slate fragments and occasional large sub rounded stones 10001 0.20+ geology (glacial erratics). Patches of orange clay and grey blue sandy clay throughout. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 10002 Cut 0.20+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated. Number assigned to modern land drain – vertical sided and filled 10003 Cut 0.20+ with angular fragments of stone and slate. Not excavated.
Dimensions : 30m x 1.75m x 0.83m
Trench 11 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259777.96, 305104.88, 23.27m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259805.56, 305089.38, 20.53m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown silt loam containing very occasional medium sub 11000 Topsoil 0 – 0.40 rounded stones. Root disturbed. Orange brown sandy silt containing common medium sub rounded and sub angular pebbles. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Considerably 11001 Subsoil 0.40 – 0.50 thicker towards the centre of the trench, where it forms the body of a low lynchet. Confined to the north western half of the trench. A homogenous grey clay containing common sub rounded medium sub rounded stones and occasional large sub rounded boulders. Natural 11002 Confined to the south eastern end of the trench. At the north 0.40+ geology western end of the trench, the geology comprised a mid brownish orange clay silt Cut of shallow ditch aligned broadly north east to south west across the trench with moderately steep sides and a concave base. 11003 Cut 0.40 – 0.83 Contained a single fill – 10004. Cut through the natural geology (10002). A medium brown sandy silt containing common small and medium 11004 Fill 0.40 – 0.83 sub angular and sub rounded stones. The only fill of ditch 10003. Band or orange brown sandy silt containing frequent small and Natural 11005 medium sub rounded stones, crossing the trench on a broadly north 0.50+ geology to south alignment.
Dimensions : 25m x 2.20m x 0.45m
Trench 12 Land use: Pasture (N) 259772.40, 305114.41, 23.85m aOD Coordinates: (S) 259751.26, 305098.04, 24.92m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 12000 Topsoil 0 – 0.45 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Natural Mid whitish grey silt clay with orange hue containing occasional 12001 0.45+ geology medium sized sub rounded stones Cut of a modern hedgeline. The upper fill only exposed (12003). Cut 12002 Cut 0.45+ through the natural geology. Not excavated. Mid greyish brown clay silt containing occasional small and medium sub rounded stones. Not excavated due to the presence of a 12003 Fill modern plastic water pipe cut through this upper fill along its entire 0.45+ length. Woody roots in the top of this fill represent the remains of the former hedgeline.
WA Project No. 84610.01 27
Dimensions : 20m x 2.20m x 1.05m
Trench 14 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259807.42, 305079.67, 20.37m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259799.17, 305062.22, 20.98m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 14000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Dark brownish grey sandy clay with orange mottling, containing occasional small and medium sub rounded stones. Recorded in the Natural 14001 south western end of the trench. At the north eastern end, the 0.35+ geology natural is a dark whitish grey silty clay. Both contain v occasional large sub rounded boulders (glacial erratics) Cut of a modern hedgeline. The upper fill only exposed (12003). Cut through the natural geology. Contained three fills – 14003, 14004 14002 Cut and 14005. this comprises a linear feature, aligned broadly north 0.35 – 1.05 west to south east with moderately steep slightly irregular sides and a concave base. Upper fill of hedgeline 14002. this comprised a light brown clay silt containing occasional small and medium sub angular and sub 14003 Fill rounded stones. Also a number of remnant woody roots left by the 0.35– 0.50 removal of the hedge in relatively recent times. Probably a deliberate backfill. Fill of hedgeline 14002. This comprised a greyish brown clay. 14004 Fill 0.50 – 0.70 Probably a deliberate backfill. Lower fill of hedgeline 14002, comprising a bluish grey clay. A 14005 Fill 0.70 – 1.05 slowly accumulated secondary fill.
Dimensions : 20m x 2.20m x 0.55m
Trench 15 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259813.45, 305055.40, 20.25m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259823.45, 305038.09, 18.99m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 15000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 15001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.55 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. A light brownish grey silty clay matrix containing a very high proportion of small, medium and large stones and cobbles. The Natural 15002 distribution of this material is not even, and there are notable 0.55+ geology concentrations of gravels and also some areas where the matrix changes colour, becoming more reddish brown.
Dimensions : 20m x 2.20m x 0.55m
Trench 16 Land use: Pasture (WNW) 259803.24, 305031.41, 20.19m aOD Coordinates: (ESE) 259820.33, 305021.07, 18.54m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 16000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 16001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.55 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. A mid brownish grey silty clay matrix containing a very high proportion of small, medium and large stones and cobbles. Towards Natural 16002 the east end of the trench the natural changes to a mid greyish 0.55+ geology white silty clay with occasional small and medium sub rounded stones.
WA Project No. 84610.01 28
Dimensions : 41m x 1.80m x 0.74m
Trench 17 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259752.24, 305084.98, 24.45m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259783.01, 305057.78, 21.59m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown clay silt containing occasional small and medium 17001 Topsoil 0 – 0.26 sub angular and sub rounded stones. Compact. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid orange brown clay silt with moderate small and 17002 Subsoil medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Confined 0.26– 0.58 to the north western end of the trench Subsoil. Mid grey silty clay containing moderate small and medium 17003 Subsoil sub angular and sub rounded stones. Manganese flecking. Soft and 0.58 – 0.74 sticky. Colluvial deposit, present the full length of the trench. Natural. Mid orange brown silty clay containing patches of frequent Natural 17004 small sub angular stones. Recorded at the north west end of the 0.74+ geology trench for some 13m. A glacial till. Light bluish grey clay containing frequent small and medium angular Natural 17005 and sub angular stones. Recorded in the south eastern half of the 0.74+ geology trench. Probably an alluvial clay. Layer of light brownish grey silty clay containing common medium rounded and sub rounded stones. material recovered from this includes roman and post-medieval pottery and a fragment of a 17006 Layer 0. 53 – 0.74 quernstone. Seals the natural geology. A possible former land surface, where stone and other material has been used to provide hardcore underfoot. Cut of a relatively substantial ditch with steep sides and a concave base. This contains two fills – 17008 and 17009. Not fully 17007 Cut 0.58 – 1.20 excavated, as these works revealed the slate lining of a post- medieval drain, left in situ. Upper fill of ditch 17007. A light bluish grey silty clay, probably a 17008 Fill 0.58 – 0.96 deliberate backfill Lower fill of ditch 17007. a mid brown clay silt. Sealy a series of 17009 Fill 0.96 – 1.20 slates forming the cover for a late lined drain. A shallow gully, aligned roughly north east to south west, with steep 17010 Cut. regular sides and a flattish base. This contained a single fill (17011) 0.58 – 0.86 and was cut through the natural geology. A mid grey silty clay containing sparse to moderate small and 17011 Fill medium angular and sub angular stones. The only fill of 17010. No 0.58 – 0.86 finds were recovered. A shallow gully, aligned roughly north east to south west, with steep 17012 Cut regular sides and a flattish base. This contained a single fill (17013) 0.58 – 0.87 and was cut through the natural geology. A mid bluish silty clay containing rare angular fragments of medium 17013 Fill 0.58 – 0.87 sized slate. Manganese staining. A black silty clay containing a very high proportion of charcoal. This 17014 Fill may be an in situ area of burning. Sampled for charcoal, charred 0.58 – 0.65 plants and C14 dates. Oven or A shallow sub-ovoid pit containing a single deposit (17014) the latter 17015 0.58 – 0.65 hearth is charcoal rich, and may represent an episode of in situ burning.
Dimensions : 24m x 1.80m x 1.05m
Trench 18 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259730.31, 305090.94, 26.37m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259747.37, 305076.38, 24.62m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Topsoil. Light brown clay sandy silt containing common small and 18001 Topsoil 0 – 0.40 medium sub angular and sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. A light orange brown silty clay containing occasional small 18002 Subsoil 0.40 – 0.70 sub rounded stones. The secondary fill of gully 18004. a mid orange brown silty clay with 18003 Fill 0.70 – 0.94 occasional small and medium sub rounded stones. A shallow gully, aligned broadly north east to south west, with steep 18004 Cut concave sides and a concave base. Contained a single fill – 18003. 0.70 – 0.94 cut through the natural geology.
WA Project No. 84610.01 29
Natural An orange grey clay silt with moderate small and medium sub 18005 0.70+ geology angular and sub rounded stones. A dark orange brown silt with occasional small and medium sub 18006 Subsoil 0.70 – 0.94 rounded stones. A colluvial subsoil.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.8m x 0.70m
Trench 19 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259704.33, 305083.34, 28.37m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259722.97, 305091.54, 27.10m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid brown sandy silt containing occasional small and medium sub 19001 Topsoil 0 – 0.20 rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. A reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 19002 Subsoil 0.20 – 0.40 medium sub angular and sub rounded stones. Mid brown silt containing moderate small and medium sub angular 19003 Subsoil 0.40 – 0.70 and sub rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil Light reddish brown silty clay containing common small and medium Natural 19004 sub angular and sub rounded stones and very occasional large sub 0.70+ geology rounded boulders (glacial erratics). A
Dimensions : 20m x 1.80m x 0.66m
Trench 20 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259743.34, 305077.97, 24.92m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259729.25 305062.92, 25.23m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 20001 Topsoil 0 – 0.31 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 20002 Subsoil 0.31 – 0.66 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. A mid yellowish brown sandy silt containing a high proportion of small and medium angular and sub angular slate fragments. A band Natural 20003 of grey silty gravel running on a broadly north west to south east 0.66+ geology alignment across this trench was investigated, and appears to represent a geological anomaly.
Dimensions : 30m x 1.820m x 0.86m
Trench 21 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259739.43, 305063.52, 24.64m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259767.72, 305051.83, 22.21m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown loam containing occasional small and medium 21001 Topsoil 0 – 0.24 sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Moderately compact. Subsoil. A mid yellowish brown clay silt containing moderate small 21002 Subsoil sub angular and sub rounded. Firm and compact. Extends across 0.24 – 0.52 the full length of the trench Colluvial subsoil. A mid orange brown clay silt containing rare small 21003 Subsoil sub angular and sub rounded stones. Confined to the north western 0.52 – 0.86 end of the trench for a length of some 6m. Alluvial deposit recorded at the south eastern end of the trench, Natural where it extends for some 6m. A mid greyish brown clay silt with 21004 0.52+ geology. grey mottling, containing rare medium and large sub rounded stones. Manganese flecking. . Varies from orange brown sandy silt with very rare small sub Natural rounded stones to a mid grey brown silty clay with frequent orange 21005 0.52+ geology. mottling. Manganese flecks. Some concentrations of degraded shale and slate. In the north western end of the trench only. Ditch aligned broadly north east to south west, with steep irregular 21006 Cut sides. Dug to contain a slate lined drain. Contains 2 fills – 21007 0.24 – 1.10 and 21008. cut through 21002.
WA Project No. 84610.01 30
A light bluish grey silty clay with yellow mottling, containing very 21007 Fill common sub angular and sub rounded small stones. Moderate 0.66 – 1.10 manganese flecks. Lower fill of 21006 Mid greyish brown clay silt containing rare sub rounded small 21008 Fill 0.24 – 0.66 stones. Upper fill of 21006
Dimensions : 20m x 3.20m x 0.45m
Trench 22 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259747.94, 305047.15, 22.99m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259763.75, 305034.35, 22.04m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing moderate medium sub 22000 Topsoil 0 – 0.45 rounded stones A mid whitish grey silty clay with an orange hue, and occasional Natural lenses of blue clay, containing moderate medium sub rounded 22001 0.45+ geology stones, occasional small and medium sub angular slate fragments and very occasional large sub rounded boulders. Gully, possibly dug to form a land drain. Vertical sides and a flat 22002 Cut base. On a north east to south west alignment. Contained 2 fills - 0.45 – 0.80 22003 and 22004. Greyish brown sandy clay containing moderate small and medium 22003 Fill 0.45 – 0.76 sub rounded stones. Upper fill of 22002 Medium brown silt containing sparse small angular and sub angular 22004 Fill 0.76 – 0.80 stones. Basal silting of 22002 Gully, dug to form a land drain. On a broadly north east to south 22005 Cut 0.45 – 0.75 west alignment. Dug with vertical sides and a flat base Orange grey sandy silt containing abundant small, medium and 22006 Fill 0.45 – 0.75 large angular stones. Deliberate backfill of stones to aid drainage. Gully, dug to house a slate lined drain. Aligned roughly north east to south west. Cut has near vertical sides and contains a slate built 22007 Cut 0.45 – 0.92 land drain, which was not excavated, but left in situ because it was still functioning. A single fill (22008) was excavated Medium greyish brown sandy silt containing abundant small and 22008 Fill medium angular stones, sealing the cover of a slate built field drain, 0.45 – 0.92 which was not excavated.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.80m x 0.42m
Trench 23 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259754.35, 305038.91, 22.43m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259740.03, 305024.22, 22.65m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Topsoil. Mid greyish brown clay silt containing occasional small and 23001 Topsoil 0 – 0.21 medium sub angular and sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. A light brown silty clay containing very occasional small sub 23002 Subsoil 0.21 – 0.42 angular and sub rounded stones. 23003 Fill Alluvial clay fill. A light grey clay The only fill of gully 23004. 0.42 – 0.53 A shallow gully, aligned broadly north west to south east, with 23004 Cut moderate concave sides and a concave base. Contained a single fill 0.42 – 0.53 – 23003. Cut through the natural geology. Natural Natural. A bluish grey clay containing moderate small and medium 23005 0.42+ geology sub angular and sub rounded stones.
Dimensions : 30m x 2.20m x 0.65m
Trench 24 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259778.32, 305017.40, 20.75m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259804.55 305003.07, 18.39m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 24000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 medium sub angular stones. Root disturbed. Post medieval pottery
WA Project No. 84610.01 31
recovered. Subsoil. Mid orange brown sandy silt with rare small and medium 24001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.65 sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Slate gravels set in a light brownish grey silt matrix with lenses of clay throughout. In the central third of the trench there is a natural Natural 24002 light brownish orange sandy silt deposit containing moderate small 0.65+ geology sub-rounded stones and lenses of clay, whilst at the very south eastern end of the trench lies a mid whitish grey silty clay.
Dimensions : 41m x 1.80m x 1.20m
Trench 25 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259709.89, 305028.82, 25.51m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259748.66, 305014.92, 22.27m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Topsoil. Greyish brown sandy silt containing very occasional small 25001 Topsoil 0 – 0.31 and medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Dark orange brown sandy silt containing occasional 25002 Subsoil 0.31 – 0.52 medium sub-rounded stones. A colluvial subsoil. Very poorly sorted. Subsoil. Greyish brown sandy silt containing very occasional small and medium sub rounded stones. Very poorly sorted. Confined to 25003 Subsoil 0.52 – 1.10 the north western half of the trench where it forms a substantial lynchet. Natural. Greyish brown clay containing common small rounded and Natural sub rounded stones and very occasional large sub rounded 25004 1.10+ geology boulders (glacial erratics). Confined to the north western half of the trench. Cut for slate lined drain. On a north east to south west alignment. This had steep sides, stepped to the north west. Three fills were 25005 Cut 0.31 – 1.20 excavated (25006, 25007 and 25008) A very late feature, cut through subsoil layer 25002. Mid yellowish brown clay silt containing rare small and medium sub 25006 Fill rounded and sub angular stones. A single post medieval potsherd 0.91 – 1.20 recovered. Lowest excavated fill of 25005. A deliberate backfill. Mid bluish grey silty clay containing moderate sub angular and sub rounded small and medium stones. Common manganese flecks. 25007 Fill 0.56 – 0.91 Seals layer 25006. fill of 25005. A deliberate backfill, concentrated against the south eastern edge of the ditch. Mid yellowish brown clay silt containing sparse small and medium 25008 Fill sub angular and sub rounded stones. The upper fill of ditch 25005. a 0.31 – 0.56 deliberate backfill. A shallow gully on a north east to south west alignment, dug to 25009 Cut house a slate lined drain. Not excavated to its full depth because the 0.31 – 0.83 drain appeared to still be functioning. Contained fill 25010. An orange brown sandy clay containing frequent small sub angular 25010 Fill stones. The upper fill of cut 25009, sealing a slate lined drain, which 0.31 – 0.83 was left in situ because it appeared still to be functional. Grey clay containing occasional small and medium sub rounded Natural 25011 stones and very occasional sub rounded large boulders (glacial 0.52+ Geology erratics). Confined to the south eastern end of the trench.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.80m x 0.55m
Trench 26 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259721.69, 305057.45, 25.59m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259721.69, 305057.45, 25.68m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Topsoil. Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small 26000 Topsoil 0 – 0.35 and medium s sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. A mid reddish brown silty clay containing occasional small 26001 Subsoil 0.35 – 0.55 sub rounded stones. Natural Natural. A mid greyish brown silty clay containing common small 26002 0.55+ geology and medium sub rounded stones. 26003 Fill Orange brown sandy silt containing very occasional medium sub 0.55 – 0.73
WA Project No. 84610.01 32
rounded stones. The only fill of gully 260004. a relatively slowly accumulated deposit. Fairly shallow gully with moderately steep sides and a flattish base. 26004 Cut On a roughly north west to south east alignment. Contained a single 0.55 – 0.73 deposit – 26003. Recorded in section only.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.80m x 0.64m
Trench 27 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259672.57, 305093.86, 31.75m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259690.91, 305087.01, 29.85m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Topsoil. Mid brown clay sandy silt containing moderate small and 27001 Topsoil 0 – 0.26 medium sub angular and sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Dark brown clay with occasional small and medium sub 27002 Subsoil 0.26 – 0.34 angular and sub rounded stones. A mid orange brown silty clay with occasional small and medium 27003 Subsoil 0.34 – 0.64 sub angular and sub rounded stones. Brownish grey clay with frequent small and medium sub angular and 27004 Subsoil 0.34 – 0.64 sub rounded stones. Well sorted. Possibly a former land surface. Natural Reddish brown silty clay with frequent small and medium sub 27005 0.64+ geology angular and sub rounded stones.
Dimensions : 20m x 1.80m x 0.64m
Trench 28 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259689.36, 305081.61, 29.62m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259673.62, 305064.88, 30.18m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Topsoil. Mid grey brown loam containing moderate small and 28001 Topsoil 0 – 0.20 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Fairly loose Subsoil. Mid reddish brown clay silt containing moderate small and 28002 Subsoil 0.20 – 0.54 medium sub rounded stones. Colluvial subsoil. Mid yellowish brown clay silt containing rare small 28003 Subsoil 0.54 – 0.64 and medium sub rounded stones. Mid orange brown clay silt containing moderate small and medium Natural 28004 sub angular and sub rounded stones and common patches of dense 0.64+ geology small and medium angular and sub angular shattered slate. A mid grey brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 28005 Fill 0.54 – 0.99 medium sub rounded stones. The only fill of 28006. Gully, aligned roughly north west to south east, with steep sides and 28006 Cut a slightly concave base. Contained a single fill, 28005. cut through 0.54 – 0.99 subsoil 2003
Dimensions : 20m x 1.80m x 0.55m
Trench 29 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259663.92, 305068.38, 31.47m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259644.95 305060.38, 33.46m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 29000 Topsoil 0 – 0.40 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 29001 Subsoil medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Confined 0.40 – 0.55 to the north eastern half of the trench only Light brownish grey silty clay containing moderate small and Natural medium sub rounded stones, occasional large sub rounded 29002 0.55+ geology boulders (glacial erratics) and patches of dense small angular and sub angular fragmented slate.
WA Project No. 84610.01 33
Dimensions : 30m x 1.80m x 0.60m
Trench 30 Land use: Pasture (NE) 259675.70, 305044.06, 29.39m aOD Coordinates: (SW) 259652.22 305024.76, 31.50m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 30000 Topsoil 0 – 0.40 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 30001 Subsoil 0.40 – 0.60 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Mid grey silty clay containing frequent small and medium sub Natural 30002 rounded and sub angular slate fragments and occasional large sub 0.60+ geology rounded boulders (glacial erratics)
Dimensions : 25m x 2.20m x 0.40m
Trench 39 Land use: Pasture (NW) 259781.25, 305050.00, 21.60m aOD Coordinates: (SE) 259786.47 305025.68, 20.89m aOD: Context Category Description Depth (m) Mid greyish brown sandy silt containing occasional small and 39000 Topsoil 0 – 0.30 medium sub rounded stones. Root disturbed. Subsoil. Mid reddish brown silty clay with occasional small and 39001 Subsoil 0.30 – 0.40 medium sub-rounded stones. Probably a colluvial subsoil. Mid whitish grey silty clay containing moderate small and medium Natural 39002 sub rounded stones and occasional large sub rounded boulders 0.40+ geology (glacial erratics)
WA Project No. 84610.01 34 260000
310000
Site 306000
300000
305000
A493
0 500 m 260000
Site location Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright and database right 2012. This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction.
Date: 02/03/12 Revision Number: 0 Wessex Scale: 1:8000 @A4 Illustrator: KJF Archaeology Path: Y:\PROJECTS\84610\Drawing Office\Report figs\Eval\12_03_14
Site location plan Figure 1
x x x x x x STN 5
RS Wessex x x x Wall Approx position
of building Archaeology x Unable to get Eaves level x RS Wall TP x x x x Edge of x x x x foliage x x Gly Unable to measure position of property Wall GLY
Unable to measure Edge of position of property 27.00 foliage 26.75 Wall
26.50 305200
26.25 5 26.00 .7 5 2 5 TT 25.50 25.2 25.00 5 GLY 24.7 24.50 24.25 24.00 Tr1 23.75 23.50 23.25 23.00 22.75 Trial pit 1 22.50 22.25 22.00 1003 21.75 .50 21 21.25 21.00 20.75 Trial pit 4 20.50 20.25 20.00 Tr6 19.75 19.50
19.25
19.00 Tr2
18.75 x x Tr5 GLY
x x x Tr4 x x x
o.h cable Wall 4003 Trial pit 2
x x x Tr7 FH Wmrkr
x x x RS p
RS x x x STN 4
x x x RS Tr3 RS o.h cable Tr8
Gly x x x x x x T T
T
GLY x x T GLY TP STN 3 Trial pit 5 GLY 8003 P/W Fence Approx line of culvert Tr12
RS
1.3m/h 8007 8005 0 Tr9 RS 12002 Tr11
34.75 305100 34.50 34.25 34.00 Approx line of 33.75 RS 33.50 33.25 culvert Trial pit 3 T 33.00 Tr27 11003 T 32.75 Trench location T 32.50
32.25 32.00 Tr18 31.75 NB Post-medieval 31.50 Tr19 31.25 31.00 17015 Unphased 30.75 30.50 18004 Spread 17006 30.25 Tr10 Disturbance 7.00 3 30.00 6.00 3 29.75 17010 29.50 Approx line of Land drain 29.25 17007 29.00 culvert Tr28 28.75 Tr14 28.50 Geology
28.25
28.00 27.75 5 Tr20 27.50 STN 1 27.2 27.00 26.75 17012 26.50 14002 26.25 28006 26.00 25.75 Tr29 25.50 25.25 5 .7 Tr17 25.00 Tr21 4 2 24.50 Approx line of 24.25 culvert 24.00 P/W Fence 23.75 21006 1.3m/h 23.50 23.25 5 23.00 22.7 0 50 m 22.50 26004 22.25
.00
2 Tr22 2 Tr15 Tr26 22002 21.75 GLY
22005 21.50
T T 21.25 T 22007 21.00 Tr39 20.75 0
Tr30 20.5
20.25
20.00 1.3m/h Tr25 Tr23 23004 19.75
19.50 P/W Fence Base plan supplied by client. 25005 19.25 19.00 This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. STUMP No unauthorised reproduction. GLY 25009 18.75 Tr16
18.50
18.25 Revision Number: 0 18.00 P/W Fence p 1.3m/h Tr24 .25 Illustrator: KJF 17.75 34.00 0 p .0 28 27.75
28.25
28.50
28.75
29.00
29.25
29.50
29.75
30.00
30.25 30.50 31.75 31.50 31.25 31.00 30.75 33.75 305000 Date: 14/03/12 33.50 p
33.25 Scale: 1:1000 @A3 GLY
STN 50 P/W Fence P/W Fence 259800 259900 259700 1.3m/h Path: Y:\PROJECTS\84610\Drawing
1.3m/h Office\Report figs\Eval\12_03_14
Trench plan with archaeological features Figure 2
x x x x x x STN 5
RS Wessex x x x Wall Approx position
of building Archaeology x Unable to get Eaves level x RS Wall TP x x x x Edge of x x x x foliage x x Gly Unable to measure position of property Wall GLY
Unable to measure Edge of position of property 27.00 foliage 26.75 Wall
26.50 305200
26.25 5 26.00 .7 5 2 5 TT 25.50 25.2 25.00 5 GLY 24.7 24.50 24.25 24.00 Tr1 23.75 23.50 23.25 23.00 22.75 Trial pit 1 22.50 22.25 22.00 1003 21.75 .50 21 21.25 21.00 20.75 Trial pit 4 20.50 20.25 20.00 Tr6 19.75 19.50
19.25
19.00 Tr2 Geophysical survey results
18.75 x x Tr5 GLY
x x x Tr4 x x x
o.h cable Wall 4003 Trial pit 2
x x x Tr7 FH Wmrkr
x x x RS p
RS x x x STN 4
x x x RS Tr3 RS o.h cable Tr8
Gly x x x x x x T T
T
GLY x x T GLY TP STN 3 Trial pit 5 GLY 8003 P/W Fence Approx line of culvert Tr12
RS
1.3m/h 8007 8005 0 Tr9 RS 12002 Tr11
34.75 305100 34.50 34.25 34.00 Approx line of 33.75 RS 33.50 33.25 culvert Trial pit 3 T 33.00 Tr27 11003 T 32.75
T 32.50 32.25 Trench location 32.00 Tr18 31.75 NB 31.50 Tr19 Post-medieval 31.25 17015 31.00 30.75 Unphased 30.50 18004 Spread 17006 30.25 Tr10 7.00 3 30.00 6.00 Disturbance 3 29.75 17010 29.50
29.25 Approx line of 29.00 17007 culvert Land drain Tr28 28.75 Tr14 28.50 28.25 Geology 28.00 27.75 5 Tr20 27.50 STN 1 27.2 27.00 26.75 17012 26.50 14002 26.25 28006 26.00 25.75 Tr29 25.50 25.25 5 .7 Tr17 25.00 Tr21 4 2 24.50 Approx line of 24.25 culvert 24.00 P/W Fence 23.75 21006 1.3m/h 23.50 23.25 5 23.00 22.7 0 50 m 22.50 26004 22.25
.00
2 Tr22 2 Tr15 Tr26 22002 21.75 GLY
22005 21.50
T T 21.25 T 22007 21.00 Tr39 20.75 0
Tr30 20.5
20.25
20.00 1.3m/h Tr25 Tr23 23004 19.75 Geophysical plan © ArchaeoPhysica Ltd.
19.50 P/W Fence Base plan supplied by client. 25005 19.25 19.00 This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. STUMP No unauthorised reproduction. GLY 25009 18.75 Tr16
18.50
18.25 Revision Number: 0 18.00 P/W Fence p 1.3m/h Tr24 .25 Illustrator: KJF 17.75 34.00 0 p .0 28 27.75
28.25
28.50
28.75
29.00
29.25
29.50
29.75
30.00
30.25 30.50 31.75 31.50 31.25 31.00 30.75 33.75 305000 Date: 14/03/12 33.50 p
33.25 Scale: 1:1000 @A3 GLY
STN 50 P/W Fence P/W Fence 259800 259900 259700 1.3m/h Path: Y:\PROJECTS\84610\Drawing
1.3m/h Office\Report figs\Eval\12_03_14
Trench plan with geophysical results (© ArchaeoPhysica Ltd.) Figure 3 Plate 1: The site in its context looking north and north east
Plate 2: Trench 2, looking west, showing lower clay revealed in sondage Plate 3: South west facing section of ditch 4003 Plate 4: South west facing section of ditch 1103
Date: 15/03/12 Revision Number: 0 Wessex Scale: n/a Illustrator: KJF Archaeology This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction. Path: Y:\PROJECTS\84610\Drawing Office\Report figs\Eval\12_03_14
Plates 1-4 Plate 5: South west facing section of ditch 17007 sowing grey spread 17006
Plate 6: Drain 22005 looking south west
This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction.
Date:15/03/12 Revision Number: 0
Wessex Scale: N/AIllustrator: KJF Archaeology Path: Y:\PROJECTS\84610\Drawing Office\Report figs\Eval\12_03_14
Plates 5-6 Plate 7: South west facing section of 25005
Plate 8: South west facing section of 25009
This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction.
Date:15/03/12 Revision Number: 0
Wessex Scale: N/AIllustrator: KJF Archaeology Path: Y:\PROJECTS\84610\Drawing Office\Report figs\Eval\12_03_14
Plates 7-8 WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED. Registered Head Office: Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6EB. Tel: 01722 326867 Fax: 01722 337562 [email protected] Regional offices inEdinburgh , Rochester and Sheffield For more information visit www.wessexarch.co.uk
Wessex Archaeology Ltd is a company with limited liability registered in England, No. 1712772 and VAT No. 631943833. It is also a Registered Charity in England and Wales, No. 287786; and in Scotland, Scottish Charity No. SC042630.