104–112 Bristol Road Quedgeley, Gloucester Gloucestershire Archaeological Evaluation

for County to County

CA Project: 4321 CA Report: 13364

May 2013

104-112 Bristol Road Quedgeley, Gloucester Gloucestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 4321 CA Report: 13364

prepared by Alistair Barber, Senior Project Officer

date 22 May 2013

checked by Ian Barnes, Project Manager

date 22 May 2013

approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

signed

date 3 June 2013

issue 02

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

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Office 49 Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Basepoint Business Centre Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Caxton Close, Andover Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS Hampshire, SP10 3FG t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 326549 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

The site ...... 3 Archaeological background ...... 4 Archaeological objectives ...... 4 Methodology...... 5

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4) ...... 5

3. DISCUSSION ...... 6

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 6

5. REFERENCES ...... 6

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 8

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 9

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features (1:500) Fig. 3 View of Trench 1, looking east (scale 2m) Fig. 4 View of Trench 1, showing deposits 100 to 102, looking north (scale 0.2m)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: 104-112 Bristol Road Location: Quedgeley, Gloucester NGR: SO 8102 1470 Type: Evaluation Date: 21 May 2013 Planning Reference: 13/00160/FUL Location of Archive: To be deposited with Gloucester City Museum Site Code: BSR 13

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology on 21 May 2013 at 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. One trench was excavated.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 On 21 May 2013 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for County to County at 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR: SO 8102 1470; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken as the agreed programme of work required to mitigate the archaeological impact of residential development of the site, in fulfilment of a condition attached by Gloucester City Council to planning consent (Planning ref: 13/00160/FUL).

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2013) and approved by Andrew Armstrong, City Archaeologist, Gloucester City Council. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2009), the Statement of Standards and Practices Appropriate for Archaeological Fieldwork in Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire County Council 1995), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006). It was monitored by Andrew Armstrong, including a site visit on 21 May 2013.

The site

1.3 The proposed development site encloses an area of approximately 0.3ha, and includes a car park to the rear of 104 Bristol Road, the site of a former cottage (No.106) and land to the rear of residential properties (Nos 108, 110 and 112). The site is bordered by Bristol Road to its east, by residential properties on Bristol Road to the north and south, and by residential properties at Coopers Elm to the west. The relatively level site lies at approximately 18m AOD.

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Blue Lias and Charmouth Mudstone Formations of the Jurassic and Triassic Periods. No superficial deposits are recorded (BGS 2013). The natural geological substrate, comprising orange- yellow clay-sand and grey-blue to yellow-green clay, was encountered throughout the evaluation trench at approximately 0.7m below present ground level (bpgl).

3 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

Archaeological background

1.5 Archaeological interest in the site principally derives from the results of previous archaeological fieldwork undertaken within the site vicinity (Sermon 1995, Greatorex 2003). The site is crossed by the projected line of the Glevum (Gloucester) to Abonae (Sea Mills) Roman road. A section of this road was tentatively identified approximately 350m south of the site, during an archaeological evaluation in 1994 prior to construction of a supermarket petrol station. The natural clay was directly overlain by an undated pebbly-gravel surface, approximately 7.5m in width, with associated, shallow, roadside ditches. The site also lies approximately 150m west of Roman occupation identified at Olympus Business Park (Sermon 1995) and 370m north-east of undated ditches, a posthole and beamslot identified during an evaluation undertaken adjacent to the Tesco supermarket bordering Severnvale Drive (AOC 2009).

1.6 In addition, geophysical surveys were undertaken in 2002 at Quedgeley Recreation Ground, immediately south of the site, by Gloucester and District Research Group (GADARG) and Dean Archaeological Group (DAG). Subsequent trenching revealed a gritty silt-sand deposit, possibly exhibiting disturbance from wheel rutting, overlain by a stone surface associated with a corroded coin of possible 2nd to 3rd-century AD date. The surface, only partially revealed but interpreted as the eastern edge of the Roman road, was overlain by a silt-clay deposit, up to 0.3m in thickness, interpreted as a post-medieval cultivation deposit (Greatorex 2003).

Archaeological objectives

1.7 The objectives of the evaluation were to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality, in accordance with the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2009). This information will enable Gloucester City Council to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).

4 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

Methodology

1.8 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of a single trench, 30m in length and 1.4m in width, positioned to cut across the projected line of the Roman road (Fig. 2). The trench was set out manually using tapes, following an on-site assessment of ground conditions and potential service locations to determine the greatest potential for survival of the road, and the as-dug trench location was subsequently surveyed using a Leica GPS in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2012).

1.9 The trench was excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were recorded in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.10 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003) and no deposits were identified that required sampling. No artefacts were recovered requiring processing in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).

1.11 The archive from the evaluation is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive will be deposited with Gloucester City Museum. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts are to be found in Appendix A.

Trench 1 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.2 The natural geological substrate 102, consisting of orange-yellow clay-sand and grey-blue to yellow-green clay, was revealed at a typical depth of 0.7m bpgl. The

5 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

natural substrate was heavily root-affected within the western half of the trench and was over machined following first recording to confirm that it represented natural stratigraphy.Modern china, glass and slate fragments (not retained) were encountered across the trench at the interface between the natural substrate and overlying subsoil. The natural substrate was overlain by a grey-brown sand-clay subsoil 101, typically 0.4m in thickness, which was heavily root-affected and contained abundant cinder and modern artefacts (not retained). Two post- medieval/early modern ceramic field drains and a modern water pipe were noted cutting through subsoil 101, which was overlain by 0.3m of modern made ground.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The evaluation has provided no evidence for either in situ or plough-damaged foundations or metalling associated with a Roman road, or for associated flanking drainage ditches, within the proposed development area. In addition, no Roman artefacts were encountered despite visual scanning of spoilheaps. Although the absence of Roman remains may be due to inaccurate extrapolation of the road’s route it is possible that any former road surface has been entirely removed at this location by ploughing and/or by extensive disturbance within the eastern part of the site during the construction and occupation of housing which until recently stood there.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Alistair Barber and Anthony Beechey. The report was written by Alistair Barber. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Alistair Barber, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Ian Barnes.

5. REFERENCES

AOC 2009 Site at Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester. An Archaeological Evaluation Report. AOC Project No. 30230.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 22 May 2013

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 104-112 Bristol Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) 2012 National Planning Policy Framework

Greatorex, P, 2003 ‘Training Excavation, Quedgeley Recreation Ground (GLRCM 2002/50). SO 8099 1464’, Glevensis 36, 60-62

Sermon, R, 1995 ‘Tesco Petrol Station, Quedgeley (Site 38/94) SO 809 144’, Glevensis 28, 55-56

7 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W Depth Spot- No. No. interpretation (m) /thick date ness (m) 1 100 Layer Made ground Dark grey-black silt-clay with >30 >1.4 0.3 abundant modern bricks, metalwork and wood fragments. 1 101 Layer Subsoil Grey-brown sand-clay, heavily root- >30 >1.4 0.4 affected and containing abundant black cinder. 1 102 Layer Natural orange-yellow clay-sand >30 >1.4 substrate and grey-blue to yellow-green lias clay. Heavily root-affected at western end of trench.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology 104–112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester,Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Bristol

Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology on 21 May 2013 at 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gloucestershire. One trench was excavated.

Although the site lies on the conjectured line of a known Roman road between Sea Mills and Gloucester, the evaluation identified no features or deposits of archaeological interest. A clay subsoil, cut by two post-medieval/early modern field drains and a modern water pipe, was overlain by modern made ground. Project dates 21 May 2013 Project type Field evaluation (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation etc) Previous work (reference to organisation or SMR None numbers etc)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gloucestershire Study area (M2/ha) 0.3ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 8102 1470

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator - Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Ian Barnes Project Supervisor Alistair Barber MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc)

Physical Gloucester City Museum n/a Paper Gloucester City Museum Trench Recording Sheet, Digital Photographic Register Digital Gloucester City Museum Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 13364

9 site

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Gloucestershire 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 4321 DATE 29-5-2013 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY LG REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

810 62

100 LB

104

106

147

108

110

112

BRISTOL ROAD

SS 116 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Andover 01264 326549 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

site PROJECT TITLE 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley evaluation trench Gloucestershire field drain FIGURE TITLE Trench location plan

PROJECT NO. 4321 DATE 29-05-2013 FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Digital mapping with the permission of 0 20m DRAWN BY LG REVISION 00 Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:500 © Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109. 2 P:\4321 104 to 112 bristol road quedgeley eval\Illustration\Drafts\4321 104-112 Bristol Road Quedgeley Fig 2.dwg 3

water pipe

field drain

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 3 View of Trench 1, looking east (scale 2m) Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

PROJECT NO. 4321 DATE 29-05-2013 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LG REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 N/A 3 4

100

101

102

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 4 View of Trench 1, showing deposits 100 to 102, Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk looking north (scale 0.2m) e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 104-112 Bristol Road, Quedgeley Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Photograph

PROJECT NO. 4321 DATE 29-05-2013 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LG REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 N/A 4