Historic Environment and Archaeology Services

Worcestershire  Archaeology

No. 25: October 2010: ISSN 1468-1862 ’s Past... Get Involved Today!

In this issue... ’s Norton  Roman Villa  Iron Age   

Find out more online: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/archaeology Worcestershire Archaeology

How Many People Does It Take To Find a Villa? The devastating summer floods of 2007 saw amongst Planning Advisory Section of the Worcestershire Historic many other problems, the near inundation of the Mythe Environment & Archaeology Service, Water Works which supplies drinking water to northern District Council, Worcestershire County Council and . In an attempt to prevent the loss of the Planning Archaeologist for Gloucestershire County drinking water in future floods, a new pipeline from Council. Archaeological contractors involved with the site in Worcestershire to Gloucestershire is being were Archaeological Consultancy University of Sheffield laid. (ARCUS) who, while the project was underway, were taken over by Wessex Archaeology, who then subcontracted During these works, extensive remains of a Roman Villa the fieldwork to Geophysical Surveys of Bradford, have been uncovered near Bredon’s Norton. Discoveries Cotswold Archaeology and Archaeology. such as this occur only every few decades. The remains are wonderfully preserved, with walls standing 60cm This has been a complex project that required firm high, pillars for the under floor heating still in place and negotiation to deliver the results we needed and to do a flag-stone floored room with painted plaster walls, a this important site justice. This process is by no means central cistern and an apsidal extension. Any of these unusual, and layers of developers, consultants and characteristics would be significant, but together, they subcontractors are the norm for archaeological works make the site remarkable. The results of the excavations implemented through development control. will be published in due course, and it will be the subject The hidden world of archaeological management that of one of the presentations at this year’s Archaeology sits behind almost every archaeological discovery is a Day School in November. complicated place! Given the complex chain of consultation and working Mike Glyde partnerships, the excavation has progressed remarkably Historic Environment Planning Officer well. It has involved close consultation between the

• The flagstone floor and cistern within the villa• Worcestershire Archaeology

Ancient farmstead at Bengeworth,  Recently the WHEAS team has been excavating an Iron Prehistoric enclosures are common on the gravel river Age site in Bengeworth on the northern edge of Evesham terraces in the south of Worcestershire and are thought on behalf of Worcestershire County Council Property to represent small defended farmsteads but it is rare Services. Bengeworth First School has been a victim of to get the chance to excavate an almost complete recent floods and the site for a new school has been example (only the south eastern corner lies outside the selected on arable land to the north of Kings Road. development area). The area was noted as being of archaeological interest Following further guidance from the Historic Planning because of some enigmatic cropmarks in fields to the Advisor, excavation was targeted to concentrate on the east. It also lies on a gravel terrace only 400m to the east enclosure and its immediate area. The archaeology in the of the River Avon. wider area will be recorded during by an archaeologist WHEAS carried out an evaluation of the site in June who will be on site to observe the ground works as when nine fifty metre trenches were cut across the area. development begins. The excavation area was stripped of topsoil by in early July and subsequent excavation has investigated about 30% of the enclosure ditch which has been excavated in sections showing that it was re-dug at least once and at a later date partially extended on its northern side. A good assemblage of Middle Iron Age pottery has been recovered including some examples of ‘duck stamped’ pottery in which a line of decorative S shapes have been stamped in a circle around a vessel. Good environmental material has been retrieved from samples of pits to the south, suggesting they were used to store grain. Recorded features included a large ditch crossing two of From the evidence, it seems that the southern part of the trenches to the south of the site and shallow post the enclosure, defined by the curving internal ditch was holes on the northern edge. Pottery from the Bronze Age the occupied area, as it is from here that the majority of (about 1500 BC) was found in one of the shallow post pottery was recovered. holes which also contained a worked flint flake. The ditch The team are now investigating a trackway to the north was 1·3m deep and over 3m wide. In the central part of of the enclosure, but excavation is now almost over and the soils filling the ditch were over fifty sherds from a the team will be off-site by mid September when the single cooking pot typical of the Middle Iron Age (about main contract for the school begins. 500 BC) as well as five fragments of briquetage, a type of ceramic vessel used to transport and store salt. The ditch Tom Rogers was thought to represent part of an enclosure. Project Officer Following consultation it was agreed that geophysical Archaeology Day School survey would be appropriate and a full gradiometer survey of the site was made by Stratascan Ltd. This This year’s event will be on Saturday 13th November confirmed the presence of a rectangular enclosure and the Bredon’s Norton Villa and the Bengeworth measuring approximately 35m x 45m. Internal features site will both feature. Other subjects include talks on  included a line of pits and a small curved ditch geoarchaeology, evidence of averting evil on subdividing an area to the south. Other likely pits were buildings and the Porcelain works at Lowesmoor. picked up in the wider area as well as a number of linear Details are available now and it’s always popular, features, thought to be plough furrows. so early booking is recommended. Council Chamber displays Join us! If you are visiting County Hall or the At our base in Worcester, we deal Record Office in the next few weeks, with finds from sites from all over you might take a detour to view the County ranging from prehistoric the two display cases outside the to modern. Council Chamber. Helping with finds processing is a Photos show the Roman remains great way to work with our team discovered during the excavation of specialists. Training is given, so at the Butts Dig in 2008, including a even if you are completely new to large rectangular building and several archaeology you will soon learn smaller domestic houses. Artefacts about all kinds of finds. You may on display include the rare remains volunteer for as much or as little of a Roman oven. time as you wish, although we are • Reconstructing the Roman oven • currently limited to our normal A second display case shows how new working hours of Monday to Friday sites are being revealed using Lidar Survey which can be 8.30-17.00. fine tuned to show ground surfaces within areas obscured by trees. The display shows the prehistoric site discovered For more information about becoming in Wassell Wood near Bewdley as part of the Grow With a volunteer, please contact Deborah Wyre Project. Overton at the WHEAS office.

Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service is the main contact point for all information If you would like to receive your newsletter by email as a about archaeology in the county. PDF file, please send an email to our address below with For information on projects mentioned in the newsletter, the subject ‘NEWSLETTER PLEASE’. or to join in as a volunteer in our activities for all ages and abilities, please contact us - we will send details, or put Cover photos: Main photo - Oxford Archaeology you in touch with staff who can help. excavations at Bredon’s Norton; left: Richard Bradley excavating at Bengeworth; centre: an Iron Age ceramic Unless otherwise stated all photographs and images are loom or thatch weight from Bengeworth; right: Roman ©Worcestershire County Council. finds on display at the Butts, Worcester.

For further information contact: -

General enquiries: By telephone: 01905 855499

By post: Historic Environment and Archaeology Service Woodbury, , Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ

By email [email protected]

This document can be made available in other languages (including British Sign Language) and alternative formats (large print, audio tape, computer disk and Braille) on request from Corporate Diversity Manager on 01905 766938 or at [email protected]

ANNUAL ARCHAEOLOGY DAYSCHOOL 2010 SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER from 9.45 to 5.30 at the University of Worcester

. Revealing hidden landscapes of the Severn Valley . Iron Age settlement at Bengeworth, Evesham . Portable Antiquities Scheme– recent Worcestershire finds . Bredon's Norton Roman Villa excavations . Public involvement in archaeology: the future? . Averting Evil: evidence from Worcestershire buildings . New Town and the archaeology of the 20th century . Archaeological sites 'spotted' on Leopard Hill . A bomb-aimer's view of Worcestershire . Excavations at the Grainger Porcelain Works, Worcester

During the day there will also be an opportunity to explore several bookstalls, exhibitions and displays.

Booking essential - Tickets £15 (includes tea/coffee and biscuits) Contact Mo Bogaard on 01905 855455 or [email protected]

The Annual Archaeology Dayschool is aimed at an adult audience and is suitable for anyone with an interest in finding out more about their local heritage.

WORCESTERSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT & ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICE BOOKING FORM

ANNUAL ARCHAEOLOGY DAYSCHOOL 2010 On Saturday 13th November 9.45am to 5.30pm University of Worcester

Tickets £15: which includes tea/coffee & biscuits on arrival, mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Please bring your own packed lunch and cold drinks

I WOULD LIKE TO BOOK …………………… DAYSCHOOL PLACES I enclose a cheque for total amount of £ ………………………….…… made payable to Worcestershire County Council.

Name: …………………………………………….………….…......

Phone No:……………………Mobile:…………….………………………

Address:…………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………..

Post Code: ………….….... Email: ……………………………………… Please return the booking form part of this flyer with your cheque to Mo Bogaard, Worcestershire Historic Environment & Archaeology Service, Woodbury, University of Worcester, Worcester WR2 6AJ Any queries: 01905 855455 or [email protected]

This document can be made available in other languages (including British Sign Language) and alternative formats (large print, audio tape, computer disk and Braille) on request from the Corporate Diversity Manager on 01905 766938 or at diversity @worcestershire,gov.uk