Bredon Farm Bredon Worcestershire

BREDON FARM BREDON WORCESTERSHIRE

POST-EXCAVATION ASSESSMENT AND UPDATED PROJECT DESIGN

For

GRAY’S HOLDINGS

CA REPORT: 04134

OCTOBER 2004

BREDON FARM BREDON WORCESTERSHIRE

POST-EXCAVATION ASSESSMENT AND UPDATED PROJECT DESIGN

CA PROJECT: 1668 CA REPORT: 04134

Author: Jonathan Hart, Mary Alexander, Sam Inder

Approved: Annette Hancocks

Signed: …………………………………………………………….

Issue: 01 Date: October 2004

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

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected] Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 3

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 4

Location ...... 4 Archaeological background...... 4

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 5

3. METHODOLOGY...... 5

4. RESULTS ...... 6

Fieldwork summary (Fig. 2) ...... 6 Period 1: Mid to Late Iron Age (Fig. 3)...... 7 Period 2: medieval/post-medieval (Fig. 4) ...... 8 Period 3: modern (Fig. 5) ...... 9 Stratigraphic record: factual data ...... 9 Stratigraphic record: statement of potential ...... 9 Artefactual record: factual data ...... 10 Artefactual record: statement of potential ...... 11 Biological record: factual data...... 11 Biological record: statement of potential ...... 12

5. STORAGE AND CURATION...... 13

6. METHODS STATEMENT FOR ANALYSIS ...... 13

7. UPDATED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 13

8. PUBLICATION ...... 15

Synopsis of Proposed Report ...... 16

9. PROJECT TEAM ...... 17

10. TASK LIST ...... 18

11. TIMETABLE ...... 18

1 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

12. REFERENCES ...... 19

APPENDIX 1: STRATIGRAPHY BY J. HART ...... 21

APPENDIX 2: THE POTTERY BY SAM INDER ...... 21

APPENDIX 3: THE FIRED CLAY BY SAM INDER...... 24

APPENDIX 4: OTHER MATERIAL BY SAM INDER ...... 24

APPENDIX 5: STONE BY SAM INDER...... 25

APPENDIX 6: HUMAN BONE BY TERESA GILMORE...... 25

APPENDIX 7: ANIMAL BONE BY LORRAIN HIGBEE...... 25

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Site location showing archaeological features and stanchion pits (1:2000) Fig. 3 Site plan showing all periods (1: 500) Fig. 4 Period 1 roundhouse 298, looking south-west

2 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

SUMMARY

Site Name: Bredon Farm Location: Bredon, Worcestershire NGR: SO 9230 3600 Type: Excavation Date: October-November 2003 Location of archive: Hartlebury Museum HER fieldwork number: WSM 33819 Site Code: GFB 03

A programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology between October and November 2003 at the request of Gray’s Holdings at Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire. In compliance with an approved Written Scheme of Investigation (CA 2003a), a sub-triangular area measuring c. 70m x 70m, was excavated.

The excavation followed an evaluation (WSM32289) undertaken by CA in February 2003 which identified Late Prehistoric ditches and medieval or post-medieval furrows (CA 2003b).

Excavation identified evidence of activity dating to the Late Prehistoric, medieval and post- medieval periods. Prehistoric remains comprised a Mid to Late Iron Age ditch system showing up to three phases of cutting and re-cutting. This had apparently survived as an earthwork when an Iron Age settlement was located on the site. This settlement comprised a roundhouse, a waterhole and several pits and post holes. The settlement appeared to correspond with cropmarks seen in the field to the east and may have continued westwards beyond the development area. A programme of archaeological recording on stanchion pits associated with the construction work was targeted to test possible westward continuations of known ditches but failed to identify any. However, this is most likely to reflect the limited scope of the works.

Medieval and post-medieval remains comprised a number of parallel furrows from which post-medieval pottery was recovered.

3 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Between October and November 2003 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological excavation at Bredon Farm, Worcestershire, (centred on NGR: SO 9230 3600; Fig. 1). The work was undertaken at the request of Gray’s Holdings in advance of the construction of agricultural buildings.

1.2 The excavation was undertaken in accordance with a brief issued by Mr Mike Glyde of Worcestershire County Council, the archaeological advisors to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation produced by CA (2003a) and approved by the LPA acting on the advice of Mr Glyde. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavations issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (1994) and the Management of Archaeological Projects II (EH 1991). It was monitored by Mr Glyde, including site visits on 31 October, 06 and 20 November 2003.

Location

1.3 The site comprises an area measuring c. 70m x 70m and is located 3km south of Bredon Hill and 1km south of Bredon village within an area of farmland. The Carrant Brook, a tributary of the River Avon lies c. 1km to the south (Fig. 2). The site occupies level land lying at approximately 20m AOD.

1.4 The underlying geology is mapped as comprising Quaternary River Terrace Deposits (sand and gravel) of the Upper Part of the Second Terrace of the River Avon (GSGB 1988).

Archaeological background

1.5 Previous archaeological work in the vicinity has identified Prehistoric, Roman and Anglo-Saxon features at Aston Mill Farm, Kemerton, 2km south-east of the site and an Iron Age settlement and Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Beckford c. 5.5km west of the site. Bredon Hill itself is the site of Prehistoric hillforts.

1.6 Archaeological interest in the site arises from aerial photographic evidence indicating potentially significant archaeological remains may exist within the proposed development area. Cropmarks indicating archaeological features occur in

4 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

the field adjacent (WSM06585), and appear to extend into this site. The archaeological features appear to consist of ring ditches and enclosures similar in form to examples from the Late Iron Age or Roman periods. A rectified plot of these cropmarks is in progress and will shortly be made available from Worcestershire Archaeological Service.

1.7 Earthworks interpreted as medieval ridge and furrow (WSM20061 and WSM20063) are recorded in two fields to the north of this site, with a Roman finds scatter (WSM12076) recorded close to the railway cutting.

1.8 Documentary evidence dates the origins of Bredon to the Mid Saxon period where, in 715-717 AD, the King of Mercia gave land to his kinsman to found a monastery (VCH Worcs.III). It is also noted that Roman remains have been found on Bredon Hill (approximately 3km to the northeast) and in Bredon village (VCH Worcs.I).

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 The objectives of the excavation were laid out in a WSI produced by CA (2003) in accordance with brief specification, as follows:

● to ensure that a full and detailed archaeological record of the site is compiled; ● to elucidate the chronology and phasing of the archaeological remains and establish the form, function, character and status of the activity on the site thus represented.

3. METHODOLOGY

3.1 Fieldwork commenced with the removal of topsoil and subsoil from the excavation area by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket under archaeological supervision.

3.2 All features were planned and recorded in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (CA 1996). Deposits were assessed for their environmental potential and sampled appropriately in accordance with CA Technical

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Manual 2: The taking of samples for palaeoenvironmental and palaeoeconomic analysis from archaeological sites (CA 2003). All artefacts recovered from the excavation were retained in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of finds immediately after excavation (CA 1995).

3.3 Examination of features concentrated on recovering the plan and structural sequence of all features pre-dating the post-medieval sequence. All discreet features (e.g. pits) were sampled by hand-excavation (50-100% depending upon significance). All linear features (e.g. ditches) were sampled with structural features being 100% excavated.

3.4 The archive and artefacts from the excavation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive (including artefacts) will be deposited with Hartlebury, the Worcestershire County Museum under the HER fieldwork reference number WSM 33819.

4. RESULTS

Fieldwork summary (Fig. 2) 4.1 Archaeological features and deposits were found throughout the site and have been ascribed to periods within the following provisional chronology:-

Period 0: natural and geological Period 1: Mid to Late Iron Age Period 2: medieval/post-medieval Period 3: modern

4.2 Features have been assigned to these provisional periods on the basis of spot-dates derived from the ceramic assemblage and from the stratigraphic and spatial relationships with other features and through similarity in form with other dated features. Different periods were not characterised by different fill types.

4.3 Brief summaries of the fieldwork results and artefactual evidence are given for each provisional period below. More detailed information is available in Appendices 1 to 7.

6 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

Ditches which were sampled in several locations have been given group numbers for ease of description.

Period 1: Mid to Late Iron Age (Figs 3 and 4)

4.4 All of the Prehistoric features on site were dated in terms of the pottery contained within their fills to the Mid to Late Iron Age and by stratigraphic and spatial relationships.

4.5 The earliest feature of this period comprised north-west/south-east ditch 123 (n.i.). This appeared to have been re-cut by ditches 114 and 263 which were seen to run across the site. Mid to Late Iron Age pottery was recovered from all the fills of all of these ditches.

4.6 Two north-east/south-west spurs, 116 (recut by 261) and 270, were located at right angles to the north-west/south-east ditches 114 and 263 and possibly formed small fields or enclosures. Ditch 288 also belonged to this phase and may have been a right-angled north-west/south-east spur from ditch 116. Mid to Late Iron Age pottery was recovered from all the fills of all of these ditches.

4.7 The final form of the earlier ditch system could be interpreted as a linear series of enclosures and the location of the majority of the remaining Iron Age features is suggestive of zoning based on this putative enclosure system. These features, which included a roundhouse, pits and postholes as well as short ditch segments, were characteristic of settlement activity. Based on this, three enclosures were identified as A, B and C.

4.8 Enclosure A contained roundhouse drip gully 298 (Fig. 3). This had an internal diameter of c. 12m with an entry to the south-east. Mid to Late Iron Age pottery was recovered from all the fills of the drip gully. Several undated features may have been associated with the roundhouse: posthole 342 was identified within the roundhouse area, pits 310 and 313 outside the south-west gully terminus and pit 335 just inside the north-eastern terminus. Pit 129 was also undated and was located adjacent to the northern boundary of this enclosure.

7 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

4.9 Enclosure B contained pit 221, postholes 258, 283, 344, 346 and 349 and three short ditch lengths 225, 272 and 274. These ditches were between 7m and 11m in length and may have functioned along with some of the postholes as stock control features. No obvious function could be ascribed to the pit which took the form of a shallow scoop into the natural substrate. Of these features, only the fills of ditch 274 contained finds and these were dated to the Mid to Late Iron Age.

4.10 Enclosure C was only very partially exposed and contained two further pits taking the form of shallow scoops into the natural substrate, 233 and 257, as well as postholes 242, 243 and 246.

4.11 Waterhole 121 and pit 265 both cut the final fill of the north-west/south-east enclosure ditch 114. However, the fills of the waterhole contained domestic rubbish dating to the Mid to Late Iron Age suggesting that it was broadly contemporary with the other settlement features on site. If this was the case, then it seems likely that the lifespan of the settlement extended beyond that of the main boundary ditch.

4.12 Pits 146 and 158 as well as postholes 165 and 176 were located beyond the enclosed areas. No obvious function could be ascribed to these features.

4.13 The programme of archaeological recording on stanchion pits associated with the construction work was targeted to test possible westward continuations of known ditches but failed to identify any. However, this is most likely to reflect the limited scope of the works (Fig. 2).

Period 2: medieval/post-medieval (Fig. 3)

4.14 Post-medieval features comprised a series of parallel north-east/south-west furrows. Although post-medieval finds were recovered from the fills of some of these features, it remains possible that the furrows themselves were medieval in date. Ridge and furrow earthworks survive in the fields to the north, between the site and Bredon village (WSM 20058, WSM 20059, WSM 20061, WSM 20063).

8 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

Period 3: modern (Fig. 3)

4.15 The remaining features on site were modern and included land drains, some of which respected the lines of the earlier furrows, and a service trench.

Stratigraphic record: factual data

4.16 Following the completion of the excavation an ordered, indexed, and internally consistent site archive was compiled in accordance with specifications presented in the Management of Archaeological Projects (EH 1991). A database of all contextual and artefactual evidence and a site matrix was also compiled and cross-referenced to spot-dating. The excavation comprises the following records:

Context sheets 257 Plans (1:10, 1:20, 1:100) 47 Sections (1:10, 1:20) 48 Sample sheets 6 Monochrome Films 4 Colour slide Films 5 Matrices 1

4.17 The survival and intelligibility of the site stratigraphy was good with archaeological remains having survived as negative features. Despite a relative paucity of stratigraphic relationships, most features have been assigned a preliminary period.

Stratigraphic record: statement of potential

4.18 A secure stratigraphic sequence is essential to elucidating the form, purpose, date, organisation and development of the various phases of activity represented. This can be achieved through detailed analysis of the sequence and further integration of the artefactual dating evidence. The refined sequence will then serve as the spatial and temporal framework within which other artefactual and biological evidence can be understood.

4.19 While the stratigraphic record forms a complete record of the archaeological features uncovered, the relative lack of inter-relationships between these features, and the limited amount of dating evidence available from other datasets, limits the potential for fully elucidating the function and development of the site.

9 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

Artefactual record: factual data

4.20 All artefactual material collected during the excavation has been cleaned, marked, quantified and catalogued by context. The table below details the finds recovered from evaluation and excavation.

Type Category Sherd/frag. count Weight (g)

Pottery 880 3757 Animal bone 147 Fired clay 144 1255 Stone Worked 1 121 Burnt 178 28,156 Metal artefacts 6 18 Flint 2 4

Pottery 4.21 A total of 880 sherds of pottery weighing 3757g were recovered. The condition of the assemblage was varied with some examples exhibiting high levels of abrasion. The bulk of the pottery is Middle to Late Iron Age in date with small quantities of Roman, medieval and post-medieval material present.

Fired clay 4.22 A total of 144 fragments of fired clay weighing 1255g were recovered. The bulk of the material consists of fragmentary miscellaneous material. A number of pieces exhibit large perforations and are likely to represent oven base plates.

Flint 4.23 Two pieces of worked flint were recovered. Both are identified as flakes of probable Late Neolithic to Bronze Age date. Several fragments of burnt flint were also recovered and are probably the result of unintentional firing.

Stone 4.24 A single fragment of a rotary quern was recovered and represents the only worked stone encountered. In addition 174 fragments of burnt stone were retrieved and are likely to have been used to heat food (pot-boilers).

Metalwork 4.25 Five iron objects and one copper alloy object were recovered. All were in too fragmentary condition so identification was not possible.

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Artefactual record: statement of potential

Ceramic material 4.26 The pottery is of primary importance as the only source of dating evidence and will provide the chronological framework for the structural and occupational elements of the site using the diagnostic pottery from the assemblage. A report characterising the pottery will be prepared to meet minimum standards issued by the Prehistoric Ceramics Research Group (PCRG 1997) and will include full descriptions of identified fabrics. This level of recording will allow comparisons with published sites in the region. Useful comparanda are the Middle to Late Iron Age finds from Bredon Hill (Hencken 1938), Croft Ambrey (Stanford 1974) and Midsummer Hill (Stanford 1981). A small number of vessels require illustration to demonstrate the character of the ceramic assemblage.

4.27 The fired clay is of some interest as evidence of domestic and possible craft related activity. The potential for further work is however limited although a report detailing fabric types will be prepared.

Non-Ceramic material 4.28 The small size of the worked flint assemblage and absence of diagnostic tools means that no further work is recommended.

4.29 A catalogue description of the rotary quern including definitive sourcing of the stone should be produced. The quern fragment will also require illustration. No further analysis for this item or the burnt material is proposed.

4.30 The small quantity of metalwork is highly fragmentary and no further work is recommended for this material.

Biological record: factual data

Human bone 4.31 Four fragments of a robust right femur were recovered from the upper most fill of the Period 1 pit 268 suggesting the presence of at least one individual. This material was identified during the animal bone assessment.

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Animal bone 4.32 A total of 147 fragments of animal bone were recovered. The condition of the material was generally good with few examples of weathering. The bulk of the material (c. 90%) comprised the three main livestock species. Small quantities of horse, rabbit and dog were present. Additional ecofactual material was recovered from six soil samples taken for artefactual retrieval. Small quantities of poorly preserved charred plant remains, charcoal and molluscs were recovered. The samples were all wet-sieved using a 2mm aperture sieve.

Type Category Quantity Animal bone 147 Samples Artefact recovery 6

Biological record: statement of potential

Human bone 4.33 Due to the poor and fragmentary nature of the human bone the potential for further detailed work is poor. Sufficient material does not survive to use as part of a targeted programme of radiocarbon dating. No further work is recommended.

Animal bone 4.34 The animal bone assemblage is small and the quantity of more detailed information available for further study is insufficient to elucidate further on the nature of Iron Age husbandry regimes in the region. For these reasons no further work is recommended.

Charred plant and molluscan remains 4.35 The limited quantity and poor condition of the charred seeds recovered from the artefactual bulk samples mean that no further work is recommended. There is no potential for this material to be used as part of a detailed programme of radiocarbon dating to enhance and complement the ceramic dating evidence.

4.36 Radiocarbon dating The scope for radiocarbon dating analysis is poor due to the lack of well-preserved charred plant remains and other organic material recovered from amongst the samples taken. This is coupled with a poorly preserved animal bone assemblage that contains no articulated material points towards the poor potential for any radiocarbon

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dating analysis. It is deemed appropriate that a programme of radiocarbon dating is not undertaken.

5. STORAGE AND CURATION

All recovered artefactual material, including pottery, animal bone and fired clay is stable and requires no further treatment for long-term storage. Such material is stored by context in polythene bags with acid-free, brass wire-stitched cardboard boxes. Suitable arrangements will be made for transfer of the site archives to Hartlebury Museum, Worcestershire.

6. METHODS STATEMENT FOR ANALYSIS

Pottery 6.1 The chief methods of analysis will be full quantification of all stratified ceramics. Methodologies employed will be in accordance with guidelines issued by Prehistoric Ceramics Research Group (PCRG 1997). Most importantly, detailed recording will help address issues of site chronology through cataloguing variations of fabric and form. Identification of any non-local pottery types will also permit appreciation of external contacts and trade/exchange. Results will be largely presented in textual form themed according to specific research objectives and accompanied by quantitative tables and cross-referenced to the Worcestershire County Type Fabric Series.

Fired clay and non-ceramic artefacts 6.2 Treatment of non-ceramic finds is set out in guidelines issued by the Roman Finds Group. Full catalogue descriptions of some stone and fired clay artefacts will be necessary.

7. UPDATED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

7.1 The principal objectives remain as per the CA Project design: to ensure that a full and detailed record of the site was compiled, to elucidate the form, function and

13 Bredon Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design © Cotswold Archaeology

status of the archaeology on the site, to establish its chronology and phasing, and to compile information which would form the basis of a fully detailed report for publication. To achieve this, the following updated objectives have been set out:

A. Establish the date, chronology and character of the Mid to Late Iron Age activity  To what extent can the date and chronology of the site be established?  What is the nature and function of the features on the site?  What does the form and spatial distribution of features tell us about the character of the site?

7.2 There is a minimal, but significant number of intercutting features suggesting two or more phases of activity. Full analysis of the pottery assemblage, using comparable local and national assemblages, in conjunction with further stratigraphic analysis will help to define a date range for the Iron Age activity and contribute towards establishing the chronology of the site.

7.3 Analysis of the form of the excavated features and their spatial distribution will be compared with contemporary settlement sites excavated in the region, with a view to characterising the nature and function of the excavated features.

7.4 The spatial analysis of artefact distributions combined with full analysis of the pottery assemblage will contribute to an understanding of the function and use of the features associated with this period of the site.

B. Investigate the significance of the Late Iron Age activity in the regional context  How does the site fit in to the local pattern of land-use in the Iron Age period?  Is there any regional significance to the phases of activity suggested by the site sequence.

7.5 The topographical setting of the site and its position in relation to other known evidence for Iron Age land-use and settlement will be examined to establish how the site fits in to regional patterns of land-use in this period. The apparent abandonment of the ditch system in the later phase of Iron Age activity on the site may indicate a

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re-organisation of land-use. Further analysis of the pottery and stratigraphic sequence may allow a better understanding of this apparent change which will be examined within the context of shifting regional settlement patterns.

8. PUBLICATION

8.1 The results from this excavation merit a short publication and are of obvious regional significance, it is proposed that a note be published in Transactions of Worcestershire Archaeological Society.

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Synopsis of Proposed Report

Iron Age Settlement at Grange Farm, Bredon by Jon Hart and Mary Alexander

Abstract Brief summary of main findings of the project 200 words Introduction Project background, archaeological background, topography, geology 500 words Excavation Results Chronological discussion of the major phases and features of the site 1000 words The Finds Pottery 700 words Fired Clay 200 words Discussion Mid to Late Iron Age 1200 words Medieval 200 words Modern 50 words Conclusions 500 words Acknowledgements & Bibliography 800 words

TOTAL 5350 words (c. 7 pages)

Illustrations: Location of site 1 page Site plan with phasing 1 page Pottery 1 pages 3 pages

Tables: Pottery: 2 pages 2 pages

Total Publication Estimate: 10 pages

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9. PROJECT TEAM

9.1 The post-excavation and publication programme will be under the management of Annette Hancocks MIFA (PX Manager), who will co-ordinate the work of the following personnel:

Mary Alexander (Project Manager: PM) Post-excavation phasing, draft report preparation, research and archive.

Jonathan Hart (Assistant Project Officer: APO): Post-excavation phasing, draft report preparation, research and archive.

Ed McSloy MIFA (Finds Officer: FO): Specialist report preparation and liaison, post-excavation phasing.

Peter Moore (Senior Illustrator: SI): Production of all site plans, sections and artefact drawings (exc. pottery).

9.2 The final publication report will be edited and refereed internally by CA senior project management, will be externally copy-edited and externally refereed.

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10. TASK LIST

TASK PERSONNEL DURATION/

Project Management PM 1 Stratigraphic Analysis Finalise stratigraphic account APO 1 Commission publication illustrations (exc. Finds) APO 0.25 Research, comparanda Undertake research comparanda PM 1

Pottery Analysis and report FAO 3 Illustration SI 2

Fired Clay Analysis & report FAO 0.5

Preparation of publication report Review artefactual reports PXM 0.5

Abstract and introduction PM 0.5 Site location plan SI 0.5 Excavation results with dating synthesis APO 2 Phase plans SI 1 Integration of artefactual reports, tables etc. PXM 0.5

Discussion, conclusions, bibliography PM 1 PXM 0.5

Editing Preliminary editing PXM 0.5 Preliminary editing PM 0.5 Submission to external referees Final Editing PXM 0.5 SUBMISSION OF PUBLICATION TEXT Archive Research archive completion (microfilming) APO 0.25 Prepare archive for deposition FAO 0.25 Microfilm FEE Deposition FEE Publication Printing TWAS FEE

11. TIMETABLE

11.1 For a publication project, CA would normally aim to have completed a publication draft within one year of approval of the updated publication project design. A detailed programme will be produced on approval of the updated publication project design.

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12. REFERENCES

CA 2003a Grange Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological Work

CA 2003b Grange Farm, Bredon, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation CA typescript report 03027

Davis, S.J.M. 1992 ‘A rapid method for recording information about mammal bones from archaeological sites’ Ancient Monuments Laboratory Report 19/92

Dinn, J. and Evans, J. 1990 ‘Aston Mill Farm, Kemerton: Excavation of a ring-ditch, Middle Iron Age enclosures and a Grubenhaus’, Trans. Worcestershire Archaeol. Soc 3 ser 12, 5-66

Gilmore, F. 1972 ‘Animal bone’, in Oswald 1972, 7-54

GSGB (Geological Survey of Great Britain) 1988 1:50,000 series: sheet 216 Tewkesbury

Hambleton, E. 1999 Animal husbandry regimes in Iron Age Britain: a comparative study of faunal assemblages from British Iron Age sites. Brit. Archaeol. Rep. Brit. Ser 282

Hencken, T. 1938 ‘The excavation of the Iron Age camp on Bredon Hill, Gloucestershire 1935 to 1937’, Archaeol. J. 95, 88-111

Lovett, J. 1990 ‘Animal Bone’, in Dinn and Evans 1990, 5-66

Oswald, A. 1972 ‘Excavations at Beckford’, Trans. Worcestershire Archaeol. Soc. 3 ser 3, 7- 54

PCRG (Prehistoric Ceramic Research Group) 1997 The Study of Later Prehistoric Pottery: General Policies and Guidelines for analysis and Publications. Occasional Paper No1 and No 2.Prehistoric Ceramic Research Group 1995: Revised 1997

Stanford, S.C. 1974 Croft Ambrey, Hereford, excavation report. Privately published. England, Hereford & Worcester

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Stanford, S.C. 1981 Midsummer Hill: An Iron Age hillfort on the Malverns. Leominster: Malvern Hills Archaeological Committee

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APPENDIX 1: STRATIGRAPHY BY J. HART

Quantification

257 contexts were recorded during the course of the project.

These contexts have been assigned to the following provisional phases:-

Geological/natural 8 Mid to Late Iron Age (Period 1) 219 Medieval/post-medieval (Period 2) 25 Modern (Period 3) 5

Potential for further analysis

Further analysis is proposed for contexts provisionally assigned to the Mid to Late Iron Age (Period 1). Further analysis is therefore proposed for 219 contexts.

APPENDIX 2: THE POTTERY BY SAM INDER

Pottery amounting to 880 sherds and weighing 3757g was recovered. The condition of the pottery is mixed with some examples exhibiting high levels of abrasion. Calcareous fabrics have been subject to some leaching of inclusions resulting in a slightly vesicular appearance. The average sherd weight for the assemblage is 4.26g and may suggest secondary deposition. The figure is distorted by the pottery from ditch 179, fills 180 and 181 which appears to be burnt and is highly fragmentary. If these contexts are ignored the average sherd weight rises to 5.4g. The majority of the pottery dates to the Middle to Late Iron Age with small amounts of Roman, medieval and post-medieval pottery present. For the purposes of this assessment the pottery has been scanned by context and sorted by eye or with the assistance of a low powered microscope. Quantification is by sherd count and weight (g) per fabric. The bulk of the pottery derives from linear features, with only very small quantities recovered from pits or drip gullies associated with the roundhouse.

Sherd count per context ranges from 1 to 282, with an average of 22 sherds per context. There is just one context with over 100 sherds and a high proportion of contexts (58.9%) where fewer than 10 sherds were recovered.

Two fabrics makeup 92% of the total: Malvernian rock-tempered and limestone tempered-ware, Peacock A and B1 fabrics (Peacock 1968). Both fabrics were locally produced in the Malvern Hills region. A coarse shell- tempered fabric, which accounts for 5.8% of the assemblage, is of probable local origin. Of the Roman material, which itself accounts for less than 1% of the total assemblage; Severn Valley ware is the most abundant fabric and was produced locally.

Iron Age

Malvernian rock-tempered ware accounts for 77.1% of the total assemblage. Four of the five rim sherds recovered are in this fabric and probably derive from straight-sided jars. All of the Iron Age pottery was handmade. Forms are not easily distinguished due to the small sherd size but include two everted rims from deposits 289 and 291 and two bevelled rims from deposits 251 and 181. The latter exhibiting a shallow channel, and one example of an upright rim from context 341. All four examples exhibit a band of stamped decoration running horizontally just below the rim. The example from context 251 displays a row of horizontal elongated s- shapes commonly described as duck-stamped. The remaining sherds display differing patterns of stamped decoration including arrow or chevron motifs, although all can be seen as derivatives of the duck stamped decoration.

Malvernian limestone-tempered ware accounts for 15.6% of the assemblage. No rim sherds were recovered although several large body and base sherds are present. The shell-tempered ware accounts for just 5.8% of the total assemblage although represents 17.7% of the assemblage weight. This imbalance is caused by several thick-sided pottery forms, including base sherds from contexts 104, 251 and a large body sherd from context 294. These larger pottery forms appear to be restricted to this fabric. A single rim in this fabric was recovered from context 341 and is the only example of linear-tooled decoration recovered. Two horizontal lines running just below the rim enclose a zig-zagging line of decoration. Comparable examples have been published from the nearby hillfort sites at Bredon Hill (Hencken 1938), Croft Ambrey (Stanford 1974) and Midsummer Hill (Stanford 1981).

The low average sherd weight and high number of contexts with less than ten sherds of pottery makes accurate dating assessment of individual contexts difficult but the overall impression is of a largely homogeneous assemblage of pottery. The bulk of the pottery, including Malvernian types, is dateable to the Mid to Late Iron Age. Malvernian fabrics continue well into the Roman period but in this instance the prevalence of decoration and absence of other wheel-thrown material in associated contexts indicates that all pre-date the conquest. Assemblages from the nearby hillforts of Midsummer Hill, Bredon Hill and Croft Ambrey indicate that decoration and fabric types cannot be directly related to relative chronology, though these factors may represent different pottery manufacturers.

Roman

Roman pottery is limited to just six sherds. Severn Valley ware accounts for half of the material and includes a fragment of a highly abraded 2nd to 4th century storage jar, from ditch fill 105. This appears to be residual, occurring alongside medieval and post-medieval pottery. A single, heavily abraded sherd of Severn Valley ware was recovered from ditch fill 206, although the form is not discernible. Two abraded sherds of a miscellaneous Roman greyware were recovered from ditch fill 305 and can only be broadly dated to the 2nd to 4th century AD.

Medieval

Two sherds of heavily abraded medieval pottery were recovered. A single unstratified sherd of a Malvernian bowl form and a small residual sherd from ditch fill 105.

Statement of potential and requirements for further analysis

The Middle to Late Iron Age pottery is of primary importance as the principle source of dating evidence and will provide the chronological framework for the structural and occupational elements of the site. Several diagnostic forms and decorated sherds will enable refinement of the dating and chronological sequence of the overall assemblage.

A report characterising the pottery will be prepared to meet minimum standards issued by the Prehistoric Ceramics Research Group (PCRG 1997). This detailed analysis will enable inter-site and inter-regional comparison both spatially within the site itself and with published sites within the region. This will allow for the full significance of the pottery assemblage to be fully understood. Useful comparanda are the Middle to Late Iron Age finds from Bredon Hill (Hencken 1938), Croft Ambrey (Stanford 1974) and Midsummer Hill (Stanford 1981).

The diagnostic elements of the pottery assemblage, principally the rim forms, should be illustrated. Five to 10 vessels demonstrate the level of synthesis and dateable evidence.

A short publication report will be produced which draws together the potential of the pottery assemblage to refine the chronology and dating sequence of the site, disseminating the data collected as a result of the detailed analysis proposed.

Further analysis summary

Full recording/report writing 3 days (FAO) Illustrations 2 days (SI)

Table 1: Iron Age and Roman pottery quantification by fabric type

Worcs type Fab Description Count % Count Weight % Weight

3 Malvernian rock tempered ware 678 77.0 2348 62.4 (Peacock type A) 3 Malvernian limestone tempered ware 135 15.6 505 13.4 (Peacock type B) Shell-tempered ware 55 6.2 685 18.2 12 Severn Valley ware 4 0.4 39 1.0 Misc Roman pottery 3 0.3 49 1.3 Medieval and post-medieval 5 0.5 131 3.4 Total 880 3757

Table 2: Pottery occurrence by feature type

Feature Type Count % Count Weight (g) % Weight

Ditch 850 96.6 3537 94.1 Drip Gully 12 1.3 43 1.1 Pit 2 0.2 9 0.2 Waterhole 11 1.2 15 0.4 Unstratified 5 0.5 153 4.0 Total 880 3757

APPENDIX 3: FIRED CLAY BY SAM INDER

A total of 144 fragments of fired clay, weighing 1255g were recovered. The bulk of the material consists of highly fragmentary formless pieces or pieces with a single smoothed face. Most fragments are of a similar orangey- brown colour with pale to dark grey cores. The fabric appears to be fairly uniform with a micaceous appearance and frequent rock inclusions. A small number of pieces display signs of vegetable tempering.

A single fragment from ditch fill 341 displays clear wattle impressions and is the only definite example of daub from the site. A number of pieces from contexts 341, 104, 289 and 303 exhibit traces of perforations roughly 20- 50mm in diameter. These represent fragmented oven base plates. A number of pieces from context 291 may represent fragments of loomweights although their fragmentary condition makes this unclear.

Statement of potential and requirements for further analysis

The fired clay is of some interest as evidence of domestic and possible craft related activity. The potential for further work is however limited although a report characterising this material and including fabric descriptions should be prepared.

Report writing 0.5 days (FAO)

APPENDIX 4: OTHER MATERIAL BY SAM INDER

A single flint flake was recovered from context 298 and a further patinated flake was retrieved from context 149. Based on observations of technology both flakes are likely to date from the Late Neolithic to Bronze Age.

Small quantities of metalwork and cinder were recovered. Iron objects were recovered from ditch fills 105 and 361 with a further three iron objects from ditch fill 157. A single copper alloy fragment was recovered from ditch fill 175. All six fragments are highly fragmentary and have no potential for further work. A single piece of cinder was recovered from waterhole fill 122 and a further 4 fragments were recovered from drip gully fill 306.

Statement of potential and requirements for further analysis

No further work is proposed for this material.

APPENDIX 5: STONE BY SAM INDER

A single fragment of a rotary quern of probable sandstone composition was recovered from context 166.

Additionally a large quantity of burnt stone was also recovered, 178 fragments weighing 28,156g. The bulk of this material comprised fragmented pebble or cobble-sized quartz or quartzite clasts, of probable Triassic derivation and locally available. Use as heated stones probably for food warming (pot-boilers) is most likely. A small quantity of burnt flint was also recovered and consisted of small fragments probably deriving from unintentional processes such as hearths or fire-setting.

Statement of potential and requirements for further analysis

A catalogue description of the rotary quern including definitive sourcing of the stone should be produced. No further analysis for this item or the burnt material is proposed.

APPENDIX 6: HUMAN BONE BY TERESA GILMORE

Four fragments of a robust right femur were recovered from the upper most fill of the Period 1 pit 146, context 149 suggesting the presence of at least one individual.

Statement of potential and requirements for further analysis

The material is too badly preserved to provide any meaningful data or to be used as part of a targeted program of radiocarbon dating. No further work is recommended.

APPENDIX 7: ANIMAL BONE BY LORRAIN HIGBEE

A small assemblage of 147 animal bone fragments was recovered from the site by hand-excavation. All of the material is of Mid to Late Iron Age date with the majority recovered from ditch fills. A small quantity derived from pits, gullies and a waterhole.

The entire assemblage was subjected to assessment by rapidly scanning and the following information recorded; species, skeletal element, age related features, completeness for biometric analysis, as well as more general observations on butchery, taphonomy and pathology. Due to the small number of bones suitable for more detailed analysis it was decided early on in the analysis to record age and mensural data in order to provide a complete archive. This information as well as the more basic assessment data was entered into a database and is available in the site archive together with an appendix of measurements. For a full description of the methods considered in the assessment of this assemblage the reader is referred to Davis (1992). In summary, a selected

suit of parts of the skeleton always counted (or POSAC’s) were recorded and used to assess species frequencies. Other non-countable bones that could be identified to species are shown in parenthesis in table 3.

A small range of species have been identified (table 3) with three main livestock species accounting for c. 90% of all specimens identified to species (or NISP). Cattle bones are more abundant than sheep/goat bones while pig bones are comparatively rare. This pattern of species frequencies is similar to that recorded from other Mid to Late Iron Age sites in the immediate area such as Aston Mill Farm, Kemerton (Lovett 1990) and Beckford (Gilmore 1972). However, the general regional trend is for a high percentage of pig bones relative to cattle and sheep/goat (Hambleton 1999, 47).

Cattle are represented by all parts of the carcass suggesting local slaughter and some cattle bones have gone into open features as articulating limbs, for example an articulating lower hind-limb (tibia, tarsals and metatarsal) from ditch 171 (172). Sheep/goat is represented by a small range of skeletal elements and the most common (e.g. tibiae) tend to show a good survival and recovery rate from most archaeological animal bone assemblages. Only a small number of pig bones were recovered and the majority are loose teeth or cranial fragments including a mandible.

Information on the mortality profile of these three livestock species based upon epiphyseal fusion and tooth eruption/wear is quite limited for the purposes of interpretation but is detailed in the archive to this report along with more detailed descriptions of the small number of bones (c. 7%) bearing butchery marks.

Horse bones are slightly more common than pig bones and most occur as isolated finds from separate deposits or small groups of disarticulated bones within the same layer. Cranial fragments and tibiae are relatively common and cut marks were recorded on a radius, pelvis and skull fragment. The location of which suggests that they were caused during skinning. The mandible from a 3-9 year old male horse that was recovered from waterhole 121 (119) has a distinctive wear pattern on the 2nd premolar indicative of the type of attrition caused by wearing a bit.

Less common species include dog and rabbit. Dog is represented by cranial fragments from three separate features, and the rabbit bones are all from gully 302 (304) and are considered to be intrusive.

Each bone fragment was graded on a scale of 1 to 5 as a measure of preservation, with 1 representing excellent and 5 representing poor, the results of which are presented in table 4. The majority of fragments from both periods are well-preserved falling into categories 1 and 2. The small numbers of fragments within categories 3 and 4 have a brittle texture and cracked, pitted or exfoliated cortical surfaces.

In addition to the preservation conditions resulting from weathering, canid gnaw marks were recorded and these affect c.13% of all bones. In addition to the marks made by dogs, one cattle bone from ditch 337 (338) was recorded with rodent gnaw marks.

Statement of potential for further work The assemblage is small and the quantity of more detailed information available for further study is insufficient to elucidate further on the nature of Iron Age husbandry regimes in the region. For these reasons no further work is recommended.

Table 3 Number of specimens identified to species (or NISP). Figures in parenthesis are 'non-countable' bones after Davis (1992).

Taxon Period 1 Human (1) Cattle 35 (22) Sheep/Goat 23 (6) Pig 7 (5) Horse 15 (9) Dog 3 Rabbit 3 Cattle sized (13) Sheep sized (5) Total 86 (61)

27 Site

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) 921 922 923

361

360

359

Reproduced from the 2004 Ordnance Survey 1:2500 map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, SO c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust AL50196A

excavation area stanchion pit archaeological feature 0 250m

Fig. 2 Site location showing archaeological features and stanchion pits (1:2000) N

263 114

tree-throw pit 158 tree-throw pit waterhole pits postholes 121 241,243,246 237 posthole 233 165 C

ditch 270 ditch 114 pit pit 146 265 tree-throw pit ditch posthole 225 postholes 176 283,344, 346,349 pit ditch 221 263 263 B

ditch ditch 272 123

evaluation trench 258 ditch pit 261 129

ditch 274

tree-throw pit ditch A 288

roundhouse 298 335

ditch 116 342

310

313

period 1: Mid to Late Iron Age period 2: medieval/post-medieval period 3: modern

0 50m

Fig. 3 Site plan showing all periods (1:500) Fig. 4 Period 1 roundhouse 298, looking south-west