South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00 Land North-West of Cwm-Camlais-Isaf Trallong Penpont and Llanfihangel Powys

Home , Trallong

Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

for Rhead Group on behalf of National Grid CA Project: 9150 CA Report: 13324 Event: CPAT102846

April 2014

South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00

Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

CA Project: 9150 CA Report: 13324 Event: CPAT102846

Jonathan Hart, Senior Publications Officer prepared by and Daniel Sausins, Project Supervisor

date 30 April 2014

checked by Karen E Walker, Post-Excavation Manager

date 23 July 2015

approved by Martin Watts, Project Director, Head of Publications

signed

date

issue 01

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

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Office 49 Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Basepoint Business Centre Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Caxton Close, Andover Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS Hampshire, SP10 3FG t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 326549 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

CONTENTS SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2–4) ...... 5

3. PROJECT TEAM ...... 9

4. REFERENCES ...... 10

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 12

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 14

APPENDIX C: THE HUMAN REMAINS BY ANNA FOTAKI AND MALIN HOLST ...... 17

APPENDIX D: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE BY JAMES RACKHAM .... 26

APPENDIX E: THE RADIOCARBON DATES BY SEREN GRITHIFFS ...... 35

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Plan of cremation cemetery (1:100) Fig. 3 Plans and sections of cremation cists 47.0.056 and 47.0.051 (1:20 and 1:10) Fig. 4 Sections of pit 47.0.034, cremation pit 47.0.068 and pit 47.0.003 (1:20) Fig. 5 Photograph: the site in its landscape setting, looking east Fig. 6 A Bayesian model for the results from Site 47.00 (Appendix E)

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

1 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Location: Site 47.00, Land North-West of Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont and Llanfihangel, Powys NGR: SN 9553 2856 Type: Excavation and Watching Brief Date: 20 April–22 May 2007; 14 July–8 December 2014 Location of Archive: To be deposited with RCAHMW (original paper archive) and Brecknock Museum (material archive and digital copy of paper archive; accession number BRNCM 2013.19.32) Site Code: FTP06

An archaeological excavation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with construction of gas pipelines (part of the South Wales high pressure gas pipeline scheme) between Milford Haven and Aberdulais, and Felindre and Brecon, which were conducted between 2005 and 2007. A subsequent watching brief was undertaken in 2014 during remedial drainage works associated with the pipeline.

Part of an Early Bronze Age cremation cemetery was revealed which included the remains of at least 15 individuals buried within grave pits. Three of the grave pits contained multiple burials, perhaps family groups, while the rest were probably single interments. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal contained within two of the cremation pits indicate that the cemetery was in use during the Early Bronze Age, probably intermittently over generations. Fragments of a faience bead and a bone bead were recovered from two of the grave pits and these, possibly along with curated earlier flints and charcoal, were deposited as grave goods.

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1. INTRODUCTION

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

1.2 In April and May 2007 CA carried out an archaeological excavation at Site 47.00, Land North-West of Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont and Llanfihangel, Powys (centred on NGR: SN 9553 2856; Fig. 1). A subsequent watching brief was undertaken in 2014 during remedial drainage works associated with the pipeline. The objective of the archaeological work was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the pipeline construction.

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

The site 1.4 The site is located towards the north-eastern foot of Cefn Llechid, a 400m-high prominence, and close to the confluence of the River Usk and the Cwm Camlais (Fig. 1). It lies at 210m AOD on land that falls away to the east (Fig. 5).

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1.5 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as the St Maughans Formation (Interbedded Argillaceous Rock and Sandstone) of the Devonian Period overlain by superficial Quaternary Glacial Deposits (Sand and Gravel) (BGS 2013).

Archaeological background 1.6 No archaeological remains were identified within the site during the preliminary Archaeology and Heritage Survey (CA 2006) and none have subsequently been recorded by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (CPAT HER). Archaeological remains were exposed in the vicinity of Site 47.00 during the pipeline construction works, including two probably prehistoric pits at Site 45.16, an undated pit at Site 46.03 and an undated but probably medieval or later charcoal-burning platform at Site 48.06 (Fig. 1).

Archaeological objectives 1.7 The objectives of the archaeological works were:- • to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks; and • at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

Methodology 1.8 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (NLM 2006). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising stripping of the pipeline easement to the natural substrate during the pipeline construction phase and subsequent stripping of three open areas to facilitate remedial drainage (Fig. 2 main figure and inset).

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

1.10 The post-excavation work was undertaken following the production of the UPD (GA 2012) and included re-examination of the original site records. Finds, environmental and radiocarbon dating evidence was taken from the assessment reports (NLM 2012b) except where the UPD recommended further work, in which case the

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updated reports were used. The archaeological background to the site was assessed using the following resources:- • the Archaeology and Heritage Survey which was undertaken in advance of the pipeline construction and which examined a 1km-wide corridor centred on the pipeline centre line, including the then existing HER record (CA 2006); • Clwyd- Powys Archaeological Trust HER data (received May 2014); and • other online resources, such as Google Earth and Ordnance Survey maps available at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.html. All monuments thus identified that were relevant to the site were taken into account when considering the results of the fieldwork.

1.11 Following the pipeline installation subsequent drainage works were undertaken on the site as part of the pipeline project in 2015; the results of this work will be the subject of a future report.

1.12 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 artefacts will be deposited with Brecknock Museum under accession number BRNCM 2013.19. 32, along with a digital copy of the paper archive. The original paper archive will be deposited with the RCAHMW.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2–5)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the excavation and watching brief results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts, finds, human remains, environmental samples (palaeoenvironmental evidence) and radiocarbon dates are to be found in Appendices A, B, C, D and E. Full, original versions of the specialist reports are contained within the archive.

2.2 The natural geological substrate (47.0.003), comprising red-orange sandstone in a silty clay matrix, was overlain by a small layer of clay silt (47.0.065) within the southern part of site. This was only partially exposed and its derivation is unclear. These deposits were cut by pits and postholes which fell into three spatial groups, a northern group, a central group and a southern group (Fig. 2). Fourteen of these features contained burnt bone which, where identifiable, was human. As well as the burnt bone, samples from the pits containing burnt bone yielded charred plant

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remains dominated by fuelwood, presumably pyre debris, although some charred weed seeds and hazelnut shells were also present.

Northern feature group 2.3 The three northernmost features were recorded during the watching brief. These comprised pits, two of which contained cremated bone. Pit 47.0.176 was a steep- sided circular cut 0.3m wide and 0.15m deep and contained a single deposit of dark clay silt and charcoal within which was a small (0.4g) deposit of burnt bone identified as probably human (Appendix C). Pit 47.0.178 was similar to pit 47.0.176 but was lined along its base and sides with stone slabs and contained 130.6g of burnt human bone from at least two individuals, an infant and a juvenile. Pit 47.0.183 just to the north of these contained no burnt bone but may have been truncated since it was only 0.2m wide and 0.05m deep.

Central feature group 2.4 The central feature group included thirteen pits and five postholes. Nine of the pits contained burnt bone. The easternmost feature containing burnt bone was pit 47.0.050. This was a pentagonal-shaped cut 0.85m long, 0.5m wide and 0.15m deep and had been lined along its base and sides with flat sandstones (Fig. 3, section BB). Within this cist, the double cremation burial of an adult and a juvenile under the age of 12 had been interred. A second cist pit, 47.0.056 (Fig. 3, section AA), 4m to the west, contained a few small fragments of burnt bone too small to be attributed to a species.

2.5 The remaining pits within the northern group were unlined. Pit 47.0.070 contained the remains of at least three individuals. Two of those were adults, one of which was female, and the third was a juvenile aged 12–14 years old, raising the possibility that this was a family group. This pit also contained fragments of a bone bead (Appendix B), possibly an Early Bronze Age type comparable to examples of that date found in Wessex, as well as burnt fragments from one or two other possible but unidentified worked bone objects (Appendix D). It seems likely that the burnt objects, if artefacts, had been cremated as part of the funeral ceremony whilst the bead, which was unburnt, was a grave good added during the burial.

2.6 Pits 47.0.007, 47.0.068 (Fig. 4, section DD), 47.0.010 and 47.0.53 all contained single cremation burials, all of which were of adults, except for that within pit 47.0.007 which comprised the remains of a child aged c. 3 months at death.

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Charcoal from pit 47.0.068 returned a radiocarbon date of 1650–1460 cal. BC (Beta- 253580; Appendix D), a range within the Early Bronze Age. Subsequent radiocarbon dating on charred hazelnut shells within the same deposit returned dates of 1885– 1730 and 1715–1690 cal. BC (Beta-435173; Appendix D). Although all of these dates fall within the Early Bronze Age, they do not overlap and some of the material must be either intrusive or residual, or have been deliberately curated. Whatever the case, these three date ranges clearly point to episodic activity at the site and are consistent with three sherds of Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age pottery from pit 47.0.007, the accepted dating for which is within the period 3000–1500 BC (Appendix B). Pit 47.0.007 also contained Mesolithic or Early Neolithic flints whilst pit 47.0.010 contained a Mesolithic or Early Neolithic chert blade.

2.7 Pits 47.0.006 and 47.0.012 contained small fragments of burnt bone that could not be identified to species. Pits, 47.0.005, 47.0.032 (Fig. 4, section EE) and 47.0.034 (Fig. 4, section CC) contained no burnt bone, although pit 47.0.032 contained a flint flake re-used as a piercer in the Neolithic period whilst pit 47.0.034 yielded fragments of at least one segmented faience bead of an Early Bronze Age type comparable to examples from Llangwm, Pembrokeshire and Brynford, Flintshire, each a site with Food Vessel/Food Vessel Urn associations (Savory, 1980, 71). A large sub-rectangular pit, 47.00.072, within the south of the central area contained charcoal within its fill and was unlined but had been capped with an irregular spread of stones

2.8 The postholes seem to have formed two groups. The most northerly of these were a pair (47.0.024 and 47.0.026) and may have held uprights forming a single graveyard structure. The southernmost postholes comprised a group of three (47.0.004, 47.0.018 and 47.0.029) which may have been the remnants of a four-post structure with a square groundplan measuring 2.5m x 2.5m in extent.

Southern feature group 2.9 The southernmost feature group included five pits and a pit/posthole and most probably extended beyond the limit of the site. Pits 47.0.017, 47.0.061 and 47.0.066 all contained cremated remains of individual burials. That in pit 47.0.017 was of an adult, the others were too fragmentary to determine age or sex. Charcoal within pit 47.0.066 returned a radiocarbon date of 1880–1650 cal. BC (Beta-253579; Appendix D), a range within the Early Bronze Age.

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2.10 Pits 47.0.063 and 47.0.015 contained no burnt bone. Feature 47.0.016 may have been a further pit or a posthole and contained no burnt bone.

Discussion Mesolithic or Early Neolithic 2.11 A small number of Mesolithic or Early Neolithic flints were found within later deposits. Whilst these may have been residual items suggestive of occupation during these periods, given the funerary context they were found in, it is possible that they were instead curated in the Early Bronze Age and placed as grave goods.

Early Bronze Age 2.12 Given that all of the identifiable burnt bone within the pits was human, and that the majority of pits contained burnt bone, the site clearly represents a cremation cemetery. The small pottery assemblage from the site, and all of the radiocarbon dates reveal that burial occurred during the Early Bronze Age whilst the fact that the radiocarbon date ranges do not overlap indicates that the cemetery was in use intermittently, probably over generations. Since not all of the cemetery may have been exposed, it is possible that earlier and/or later burials remain to be discovered.

2.13 The minimum number of individuals within the exposed part of the cemetery was 15. Three pits contained multiple burials which in two instances included both adults and non-adults, perhaps representing family groups. As has previously been pointed out, (Barrett 1988, 32; Harding et al. 2007, 233), cremated remains can be buried significantly after death and this can, for example, allow the remains of an individual to be retained pending burial with another individual (such as a family member) which potentially accounts for the presence of pits containing multiple burials and might also account for the varying radiocarbon dates obtained from pit 47.0.004, some of which could potentially have come from curated charcoal derived from earlier cremations.

2.14 Of the twelve individuals that could be aged, five were under the age of 18 of which the youngest was aged around three months. The only individual who could be accurately sexed was a female from triple burial pit 47.0.070. The bone weight from the cremations is less than would be expected had the cremated remains of the individuals been buried in their entirety (McKinley 1997, 142) and it is likely that only parts of the cremated remains were selected for burial. What was done with the

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retained parts of the cremated remains is not known, but possibilities include burial elsewhere; scattering or curation within an unburied vessel, perhaps kept in the family home. There are also more unexpected uses for cremated remains, including as pigmentation for memorial tattoos or use in memorial jewellery.

2.15 Although the palaeoenvironmental remains from the pits were dominated by the remains of fuelwood, mainly oak, the presence of fairly large hazelnut shell assemblages within two of the pits (pits 47.0.066 and 47.0.068, see Appendix D) suggests that consumption or deposition of foodstuffs formed part of the burial rites. The collection of the fuelwood itself, which included hazel kindling and oak as the main fuel used, perhaps also formed part of the wider events surrounding the cremation rites, although Rackham in Appendix D notes that the efficiency of the oak would have been much improved with seasoning so this element of the fuel might either have been gathered far in advance of the cremation (and perhaps death) of the individual, or used in its unseasoned state if gathered as part of events preceding the cremation.

2.16 Several pits contained no cremated bone. It is possible that remains within these have been entirely truncated, or that the pits had other uses. The nature of any structures formed by the two posthole groups is unclear. The paired postholes could have held marker posts, totem poles or some sort of rack, whilst the possible four- post structure (of which three posts were present) may have been built to surround pit graves 47.0.007 and 47.0.004 which were located centrally within the groundplan of this. The presence of stones above one pit (47.00.072), albeit one lacking human remains, raises the possibility that some graves may have been marked by small cairns, a practice that would have increased the visibility of the cemetery, allowing it to remain as a visible and conceptual element within the landscape, and facilitating its episodic re-use.

3. PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Alex Wilkinson, Matt Nichols, Sian Reynish, Eleri Farley and Steve Cox. This report was written by Daniel Sausins and Jonathan Hart with illustrations prepared by Daniel Bashford. The archive has been compiled by Jonathan Hart and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The fieldwork was managed for CA by Clifford Bateman and the post-excavation was managed for CA by Karen Walker.

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4. REFERENCES

Annable, F. K. and Simpson, D. D. A. 1964 Guide Catalogue of the Neolithic and Bronze Age Collections in Devizes Museum Devizes, Wilts Archaeol. Natur. Hist. Soc. Barret, J.C. 1988 The living, the dead and the ancestors: Neolithic and early Bronze Age mortuary practice in Barret, J.C. and Kinnes, I.A. (eds) The Archaeology of context in the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Recent Trends University of Sheffield, 30-41 BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer. Online resource at http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html accessed 22 May 2013 Brooks, S. T. and Suchey, J. M. 1990 ‘Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: a comparison of the Acsádi-Nemeskéri and Suchey-Brooks methods’ Human Evolution 5, 227-238 Caffell, A. and Holst, M. 2009 ‘Human Remains’, in NLM 2012b Campbell, G. 2007 ‘Cremation deposits and the use of wood in cremation ritual’, in J. Harding and F. Healy, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire, 30-33. Swindon, English Heritage CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2006 Felindre to Tirley Gas Pipeline: Archaeology and Heritage Survey. CA typescript report 05140 Courtney, P. 2009 ‘Medieval and Later Pottery’, in NLM 2012b Cox, M. 2000 ‘Ageing adults from the skeleton’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds), Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science, 61-82 EH (English Heritage) 1991 The Management of Archaeological Projects 2 Gibson, A. 2013 Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Brecon Gas Pipeline: The Neolithic and Bronze Age Pottery from the Archaeological Investigations GA (Groundwork Archaeology) 2012 Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Brecon High Pressure Gas Pipelines: Updated Project Design Harding, J. Healey F. and Boyle B. 2007 The treatment of the human body, in Harding J. and Healy F. The Raunds Area Project A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire. English Heritage, 224-38 IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 1999a Guidelines for Finds Work. IfA, Birmingham IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 1999b Standard and Guidance for Finds and Ecofact Studies and Curation. IfA, Reading IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 2001a Standard and Guidance for the Collection, Documentation, Conservation and Research of Archaeological Materials. IfA (Institute for Archaeologists) 2001b Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation

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IfA Wales (Institute for Archaeologists of Wales/Cymru) 2008 Introducing a Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales, online resource at http://www.archaeoleg.org.uk/intro.html accessed December 2008 Leahy, K. 2009 ‘Metal Objects’, in NLM 2012b Lovejoy, C. O., Meindl, R. S., Pryzbeck, T. R. and Mensforth, R. P. 1985 ‘Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular surface of the ilium: a new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death,’ Am. J. Physical Anthropology 68, 15-28 Martin, G. 2008 ‘Assessment Report for the Archaeobotanical Remains’, in NLM 2012b Major, H. 2009 ‘Clay Pipes’, in NLM 2021b Mays, S. and Cox, M. 2000 ‘Sex determination in skeletal remains’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds) Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science, 117-130 McKinley, J. I. 1994 ‘Bone fragment size in British cremation burials and its implications for pyre technology and ritual’, J. Arch. Sc. 21, 339-342 McKinley, J. I. 1997 ‘Bronze Age “barrows” and funerary rites and rituals of cremation’ Proc Prehist Soc 63, 129-45 NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2006 Milford Haven to Aberdulais Natural Gas Pipeline: Scheme of investigation for a programme of archaeological works NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2012a Milford Haven to Aberdulais High Pressure Gas Pipeline: Archaeology Assessment of Potential for Analysis NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2012b Felindre to Brecon High Pressure Gas Pipeline: Archaeology Assessment of Potential for Analysis Pannett, A. 2014 Milford Haven to Brecon LNG Pipeline: Lithic Analysis Report A. Pannett typescript report Rackham, D. J., Challinor, D., Langdon, C. and Scaife, R. in prep Palaeoenvironmental studies along the Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Tirley Natural Gas Pipeline. Southampton University Archaeology Monograph Series RSK (RSKENSR) 2007 Felindre to Tirley Natural Gas Pipeline: Archaeological Framework Document, v7. Nacap Land and Marine Final, RSKENSR Environmental Ltd Savory, H. N. 1980 Guide Catalogue of the Bronze Age Collections Scheuer, L. and Black, S. 2000a ‘Development and ageing of the juvenile skeleton’, in M. Cox and S. Mays, Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science, 9-22 Scheuer, L. and Black, S. 2000b Developmental Juvenile Osteology van Strydonck, M., M. Boudin and G. de Mulder 2010 ‘The carbon origins of structural carbonate in bone apatite of cremated bones’, in Radiocarbon 28(2), 1, 578–86 Vince, A. and Steane, K. 2008 ‘Stone’, in NLM 2012b Ward, G. K. and, Wilson, S. R. 1978 ‘Procedures for Comparing and Combining Radiocarbon Age Determinations: a critique’, in Archaeometry 20, 19–31

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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Context Fill of Context Description W (m) Depth Spot date No. interpretation (m)

47.0.001 Topsoil Mid brown clay silt 0.05 47.0.002 Subsoil Mid brown clay silt 0.05 C18 47.0.003 Natural Red-orange silt clay 47.0.004 Posthole & Irregular plan and profile 0.20 0.05 fill 47.0.005 Pit Oval, gentle sides, irregular 0.35 0.15 base 47.0.006 Pit Circular, moderate sides, 0.25 0.05 concave base 47.0.007 Pit Circular, moderate sides, 0.40 0.25 concave base 47.0.008 47.0.007 Pit fill Mid orange-brown sandy silt 0.40 0.25 LNeo/EBA 47.0.010 Pit Oval, steep sides, concave base 0.40 0.20 47.0.011 47.0.010 Pit fill Mid brown-orange silty clay 0.40 0.20 47.0.012 Pit Circular, moderate sides, flat 0.20 0.05 base 47.0.013 47.0.012 Pit fill Mid grey silty clay 0.20 0.05 47.0.014 47.0.007 Pit fill = 47.0.008 0.40 0.25 47.0.015 Pit & fill Irregular plan and profile 0.50 0.20 47.0.016 Pit & fill Irregular plan and profile 0.20 0.05 47.0.017 Pit Sub-circular, steep sides, 0.30 0.15 slightly concave base 47.0.018 Posthole Irregular plan and profile 0.20 0.05 47.0.019 47.0.018 Posthole fill Mid orange-brown silty clay 0.20 0.05 47.0.020 47.0.006 Pit fill Mid grey silty clay 0.25 0.05 47.0.021 Natural feature 47.0.022 47.0.017 Pit fill Dark black-brown clay silt 0.30 0.15 47.0.023 47.0.023 Pit fill Dark orange-black/brown clay 0.50 0.25 silt 47.0.024 Posthole Irregular plan and profile 0.20 0.05 47.0.025 47.0.024 Posthole fill Mid orange-brown silty clay 0.20 0.05 47.0.026 Posthole Irregular plan and profile 0.20 0.05 47.0.027 47.0.026 Posthole fill Mid orange-brown silty clay 0.20 0.05 47.0.028 47.0.005 Pit fill Mid orange clay silt 0.35 0.15 47.0.029 Posthole Irregular plan and profile 0.20 0.05 47.0.030 47.0.029 Posthole fill Mid orange-brown silty clay 0.20 0.05 47.0.031 47.0.010 Pit fill Mid orange-brown silty clay 0.40 0.20 47.0.032 Pit Sub-circular, moderate sides, 1.60 0.35 concave base 47.0.033 47.0.032 Pit fill Mid brown-orange clay silt 1.60 0.35 47.0.034 Pit Circular, vertical sides, concave 0.20 0.15 base 47.0.035 47.0.034 Pit fill Dark brown silty clay 0.20 0.15 EBA 47.0.050 Stone-lined Oval, moderate sides, flat base 0.50 0.15 pit 47.0.051 47.0.050 Pit fill Mid-dark red-brown silty clay 0.50 0.15 47.0.052 47.0.050 Pit fill = 47.0.051 0.15 47.0.053 Pit Oval, moderate sides, slightly 0.40 0.15 concave base 47.0.054 47.0.053 Pit fill Light pink-brown silt gravel 0.40 0.15 47.0.055 47.0.053 Pit fill = 47.0.054 0.40 0.15

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47.0.056 Stone-lined Oval, steep sides, slightly 0.30 0.15 pit concave base 47.0.057 47.0.056 Stone lining Grey sandstone 0.30 0.15 47.0.058 47.0.056 Pit fill Mid red-brown silt gravel 0.30 0.10 47.0.059 47.0.050 Stone lining Grey sandstone 0.50 47.0.060 47.0.056 Pit fill Mid-light red-brown silty gravel 0.30 0.05 47.0.061 Pit Sub-circular, moderate sides, 0.35 0.10 concave base 47.0.062 47.0.061 Pit fill Mid grey-orange clay silt 0.35 0.10 47.0.063 Pit Sub-circular, moderate sides, 0.25 0.10 concave base 47.0.064 47.0.063 Pit fill Dark blackish-grey clay silt 0.25 0.10 47.0.065 Layer Mid grey-brown clay silt 0.10 47.0.066 Pit Circular, moderate sides, 0.30 0.10 uneven base 47.0.067 47.0.066 Pit fill Dark orange-black silty sand 0.30 0.10 1880-1650 cal BC 47.0.068 Pit Circular, vertical sides, flat base 0.40 0.30 47.0.069 47.0.068 Pit fill Dark brown-black clay silt 0.40 0.30 1650-1460 cal BC 47.0.070 Pit Circular, steep sides, flat base 0.45 0.20 47.0.071 47.0.070 Pit fill Dark grey-brown silt clay 0.45 0.20 47.0.072 Pit Sub-rectangular, steep sides, 1.7 0.4 flat to irregular base 47.0.073 47.0.072 Pit fill Upper fill: stones, possibly the remains of capping 47.0.074 47.0.072 Pit fill Lower fill: red-brown silty clay 1.7 0.4 with frequent charcoal 47.0.075 Natural feature 47.0.176 Pit Circular, steep sides, concave 0.3 0.15 base 47.0.177 47.0.176 Pit fill Dark brown-black clay silt 0.3 0.15 47.0.178 Pit Sub-circular, steep sides, flat 0.3 0.10 base 47.0.179 47.0.178 Pit fill orange-brown clay silt 0.25 0.05 47.0.180 context not used 47.0.181 47.0.178 Pit fill stone lining of pit base and sides 47.0.182 Pit Circular, moderate sides, 0.2 0.05 concave base 47.0.183 47.0.182 Pit fill Grey-brown clay silt 0.2 0.05 47.0.184 47.0.178 Pit fill = 47.0.179 47.0.185 47.0.178 Pit fill = 47.0.179 47.0.186 47.0.178 Pit fill = 47.0.179 47.0.187 47.0.178 Pit fill Red-brown silty clay fill between pit edges and stone lining

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APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Finds concordance (Courtney and McSloy 2013; Gibson 2013; Leahy 2009, Major 2009; Pannett 2014; Vince and Steane 2009) Context Description Count Weight Date (g) 47.0.002 Lithic: burnt flint, retouched flake shatter 1 Early Neolithic 47.0.002 Pottery: Blue transfer pearlware 1 1.00 Early Modern 47.0.002 Pottery: North Devon gravel tempered, internally 1 6.00 Post-medieval glazed 47.0.002 Clay pipe bowl base with plain spur. 1 C18 47.0.008 Pottery: small undecorated sherds 3 2.00 L Neo/Early Bronze Age 47.0.008 Lithic: bladelet 1 Mesolithic/ Early Neolithic 47.0.008 Lithic: flake 1 Mesolithic/ Early Neolithic 47.0.031 Lithic: chert blade 1 Mesolithic/ Early Neolithic 47.0.033 Lithic: flake with retouch through patination 1 Neolithic 47.0.047 Lithic: microdebitage 1 - 47.0.065 Lithic: burnt flint, flake shatter 1 - 47.0.069 Burnt stone fragments 45 93.00 - Unstrat Fe objects 13 84.28 -

Pottery from context 47.0.008 (Gibson 2013) Three sherds (2g) in a soft fabric with brown outer surface and black inner surface, the colouration meeting mid- way through the thickness of the fabric. Fabric averages 7mm thick and contains ?grog?. Probably Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. In the absence of formal or decorative features, these sherds cannot be ascribed to a specific tradition however the grog-filled fabric combined with the thickness of the sherd may suggest that it is either Late Neolithic Grooved Ware or Early Bronze Age Collared Urn. This permits only a broad date range from c.3000–1500 BC.

Lithics (Pannett 2014) The site produced seven struck lithics, from sealed pit deposits, a layer of colluvium and from the subsoil.

Context No. Description No. Lithics 47.0.002 Subsoil 1 47.0.008 Fill pit 47.0.007 2 47.0.013 Fill of pit 47.0.012 1 47.0.031 Fill of pit 47.0.010 1 47.0.033 Fill of pit 47.0.032 1 47.0.065 Collunvium 1 Total 7

Context 47.0.002 Primary Technology The single struck lithic comprised a distal fragment of a burnt flint flake.

Secondary Technology The flake fragment has been retouched, with abrupt secondary working along the edge of the oblique distal end, forming a possible piercer. The fragment is tentatively dated to the Neolithic period.

Context 47.0.008 Primary Technology Two struck flint pieces were recovered from the fill of pit 47.0.007. Both were small and were found during the processing of samples. One comprised a bladelet, 9mm long, 4mm broad and 0.7mm thick. The second piece comprised an irregular flake struck from a single platform flake/blade core. It is 8mm long, 7.5mm broad and

14 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

1mm thick. Both pieces have been struck from single platform blade/flake cores, and have damaged platforms and feathered terminations. The bladelet platform have been prepared prior to striking. Both are diagnostically Mesolithic or Early Neolithic and are probably the by-product of knapping rather than deliberately created pieces.

Context 47.0.013 Primary Technology A single piece of undiagnostic flint microdebitage (<5mm in diameter) was recovered from the fill of pit 47.0.012.

Context 47.0.031 Primary Technology A single chert blade was recovered from the fill of pit 47.0.010. The blade had been struck from an opposed platform blade core and had a planar platform and a feathered termination. It is 24mm long, 11mm broad and 3mm thick and had a 1.5mm-wide platform. The blade had a small bulb of percussion but pronounced concoidal ripples suggesting that it could have been struck with a hard hammer. The blade is diagnostically Mesolithic or Early Neolithic.

Context 47.0.033 Primary Technology A single patinated flint flake struck from a platform flake core was recovered from the fill of pit 47.0.033. It is 17mm long, 12mm broad and 3mm thick and has a planar platform 2mm wide. The flake displayes a diffuse bulb of percussion and minimal concoidal ripples, indicating that it has been struck with a soft hammer.

Secondary Technology The flake has been retouched through the patination at the distal end, revealing the original light brown colour of the flint. The abrupt retouch extended along the full width of the distal end and up the left hand side of the flake (when viewed from the dorsal surface). The retouch had the effect of creating a point at the distal end of the right hand side lateral edge, and may have been used to manufacture a crude piercer. The tool is likely to be Neolithic in date, but the flake could be considerably earlier, sufficient time for the patination to occur, with the flake perhaps recovered from the ground and reused.

Context 47.0.065 Primary Technology A single piece of burnt flint flake shatter was recovered from a spread of colluvium. The flake shatter had small traces of polish on the dorsal surface indicating that it had originated from a polished flint axe. The flake is likely to be Neolithic, as it originates from a polished axe.

Discussion and Interpretation Five struck lithics, four flint and one chert, were recovered from pits. The diagnostic pieces are Mesolithic or Neolithic but the pits seem to be Early Bronze Age indicating that the flints are residual. The relatively small assemblage is surprising, as the presence of microdebitage, worked tools and a burnt fragment of a polished flint axe points to occupation within the immediate area. It is possible that further evidence of occupation survives but was not exposed within the pipeline easement.

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Faience and worked bone (by E. R. McSloy, Cotswold Archaeology)

Faience Faience fragments were recovered from fill 47.0.035 of pit 47.0.034. They are extremely small, but sufficient to determine that they represent one or more segmented beads of Early Bronze Age type. Comparable Welsh finds are few, listed by Savory (1980, 71) as from Llangwm, Pembrokeshire and Brynford, Flintshire, each a site with Food Vessel/Food Vessel Urn associations. Finds are more common from southern England, and these encourage dating in the later part of the Early Bronze Age, c. 1750–1450 BC. This is comparable to radiocarbon determinations obtained from other features on the current site.

Catalogue: Ten fragments (1–5mm) representing one or more faience beads of segmented type. The largest fragment with three segments visible. Most fragments are decayed to a granular pale grey, although a lustrous blue colour is apparent from one fragment. External diam. c. 4–5mm. From fill 47.0.035 of pit 47.0.034.

Worked bone Worked bone fragments were recovered from fill 47.0.071 of pit 47.0.070 and are likely to be the remains of a single bead. The use of worked bone for beads is seemingly uncommon from Early Bronze Age contexts in Wales, though at least one (of non-segmented form) is recorded from Llandow, Glamorganshire (Savory 1980, Fig. 49, no. 371). Bone beads, including some segmented forms (Annable and Simpson 1964, 106, nos. 279– 84) are known more commonly from Early Bronze Age burial contexts in Wessex.

Catalogue: Two fragments (4–8mm) probably representing a single segmented bead, the largest fragment with four segments visible. Most are decayed to a granular pale grey, although a lustrous blue colour is apparent from one fragment. External diam. c. 8mm. From fill 47.0.071 of cremation pit 47.0.070.

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APPENDIX C: THE HUMAN REMAINS BY ANNA FOTAKI AND MALIN HOLST

Introduction Three groups of pits and graves were found, with the majority of burnt bone retrieved from the central group. For sampling purposes, the single fill of grave 47.0.050 was separated into contexts 47.0.051 and 47.0.052, the fill of grave 47.0.053 was separated into contexts 47.0.054 and 47.0.055 and the fill of grave 47.0.178 was separated into contexts 47.0.179, 47.0.184, 47.0.185 and 47.0.186. The cremated remains are hereafter referred to by the cut number of the feature that they were deposited in (Table 1).

Table 1. Summary of identified cremated bone assemblages Total weight weight context feature preservation MNI species age sex notes MNI (g) from feature Animal MNI – 1 47.0.008 47.0.007 Good 1 Human 3 months - 19.6 bone 19.6 (neonate) present 47.0.011 Moderate 1 Human - - 13.4 - MNI – 1 47.0.010 Older than (older than 68.5 47.0.031 Good 1 Human - 55.1 - Adolescent adolescent) 47.0.022 Moderate 1 Human - - 18.3 - MNI – 1 47.0.017 97.3 47.0.022 Moderate 1 Human Adult - 79 - (adult) One Non- juvenile metric under the extra- 47.0.051 Very Good 2 Human - 478.2 age of 12 sutural MNI – 2 and one foramen (one adult 47.0.050 643.6 adult found and one Juvenile juvenile) 47.0.052 Good 1 Human under the - 139.1 - age of 12 47.0.059 Good 1 Human - - 26.3 - Older than MNI – 1 (1 47.0.054 47.0.053 Good 1 Human - 438 - Adolescent adult aged 980.5

47.0.055 Good 1 Human 36+ - 542.5 - 36+ years) 47.0.062 Poor 1 Human - - 8.5 - 47.0.061 MNI - 1 19.7 47.0.062 Poor 1 Human - - 11.2 - 47.0.067 47.0.066 Poor 1 Human - - 26.3 - MNI - 1 26.3 MNI – 1 DJD on 47.0.069 47.0.068 Good 1 Human 26-35 - 961.9 (adult, 27- 961.9 Vertebra 35) Two adults MNI – 3 (2 and one adults, one non-adult One of whom is 47.0.071 47.0.070 Good 3 Human 1754.6 - 1754.6 (between female female, 1 12 and 14 12-14 year years old) old) 47.0.177 47.0.176 Moderate 1 Human? - - 0.4 - MNI - 1 0.4 Juvenile 47.0.179 Very good 1 Human (1-4 years - 53.2 - old) MNI 2 Infant (1- individuals 47.0.184 Very good 1 Human 12 months - 22.5 - – one old) 47.0.178 infant 6-9 130.6 Infant (9- months, 1 47.0.185 Very good 1 Human 12 months - 25.4 - juvenile 1-4 old) years Infant (1- 47.0.186 Very good 1 Human 12 months - 29.5 - old)

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Preservation The bone preservation from the burials containing the larger quantity of cremated bone was very good to very poor, with the majority in a good condition (Table 2). Some bone surfaces had been lost with very limited long bone warping. Bone cracking was evident in most assemblages. Almost all of the assemblages contained bone fragments that were 10mm in size or larger (Table 3). Fragmentation varied considerably between burials; burial 47.0.070 contained a large quantity of bone fragments larger than 10mm, but this was probably due to this being the largest burial and in fact the majority of bone from this burial was retrieved from the 5mm and 2mm sieves. The graves contained cremated bone which was largely within the 10mm or 5mm size range (see Table 2). However, there were also smaller bone assemblages, which were minute in quantity; due to their poor preservation and small quantity, it was not possible to determine species (Table 4). In the case of all burials it is unclear whether post-depositional or post-burning disturbance of the bone caused the fragmentation. The quantity of cremated bone recovered from each burial varied in weight from 8.5g to 1754.6g (see Tables 2 and 3), with an overall mean weight of 391.92g. The majority of the bones were well burnt, causing the complete loss of the organic portion of the bone and producing a grey or white/off white colour in a number of the burials (Table 2). It was possible to identify between 33% and 95.3% of the skeletal elements in the cremation burials (Table 5), with an average of 55.49% of bone being identifiable. All of the burials in Table 5 could be positively identified as human. The majority of identifiable bone from the burials was either skull elements or long bones. Since the cranial vault is very distinctive and easily recognisable, even when severely fragmented, it often forms a large proportion of identified bone fragments in cremated remains (McKinley 1994). There was a substantial quantity of tooth fragments that allowed for more accurate ageing and there were also recognisable fragments of other skull elements, as well as pelvis, foot and hand bones, vertebrae, lower limb bones and upper limb bones.

Table 2. Summary of cremated bone preservation and completeness Weight % of expected Context Feature Bone Colour Preservation quantity of Bone 47.0.008 47.0.007 Brown Good 19.6 1.20% 47.0.011 47.0.010 White/ brown Moderate 13.4 0.80% 47.0.020 47.0.006 White/ brown Very poor <0.0 0% 47.0.022 47.0.017 Grey/ white Moderate 18.3 1.14% 47.0.022 47.0.022 Grey Moderate 79 4.90% 47.0.031 47.0.010 White/ some fragments with dark staining Good 55.1 3.40% 47.0.051 47.0.050 Brown/ off white Very good 478.2 MNI-2 47.0.052 47.0.050 Light brown Good 139.1 8.70% 47.0.054 47.0.053 Brown Good 438 27.30% 47.0.055 47.0.053 Red/ brown Good 542.5 34% 47.0.059 47.0.050 Light brown Good 26.3 1.64% 47.0.060 47.0.056 White brown Very poor <0.0 0% 47.00.62 47.0.061 White Poor 8.5 0.50% 47.0.062 47.0.061 White/ off white Poor 11.2 0.70% 47.0.067 47.0.066 Light brown/ off white Poor 26.3 1.60% 47.0.069 47.0.068 Light brown Good 961.9 60.10% 47.0.071 47.0.070 Brown Good 1754.6 MNI- 3 47.0.177 47.0.177 White Moderate 0.4 0.02% 47.0.179 47.0.179 White Very good 53.2 MNI-2 47.0.184 47.0.184 White Very good 22.5 >1.4% 47.0.185 47.0.185 White Very good 25.4 >1.6% 47.0.186 47.0.186 White Very good 29.5 >1.8%

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Table 3. Summary of cremated bone fragment size Context Feature 10mm 10mm 5mm 5mm 2mm 2mm <2mm <2mm Weight

) 47.0.008 47.0.007 1.4 7.1 7 36 10.6 54 0.6 5.8 19.6 47.0.011 47.0.010 6.8 51 3.5 26.1 3 22.4 0.1 0.7 13.4 47.0.022 47.0.017 8.5 46.4 8.2 44.9 1.6 8.7 - - 18.3 47.0.022 47.0.017 9.5 12 25 31.6 43.6 55.2 0.9 1.1 79 47.0.031 47.0.010 28.4 51.5 13.4 24.3 12.9 23.4 0.4 0.7 55.1 47.0.051 47.0.050 168.6 35.2 193.1 40.4 104.2 21.8 12.3 2.8 478.2 47.0.052 47.0.050 39.2 28.2 48.2 34.7 47.1 34 4.6 3.3 139.1 47.0.054 47.0.053 233.8 53.4 171.2 39 30.7 7 2.3 0.5 438 47.0.055 47.0.053 195 36 220 40.5 114.7 21.1 12.8 2.3 542.5 47.0.059 47.0.050 12 45.6 6.1 23.2 7.6 29 0.6 2.3 26.3 47.0.062 47.0.061 5.4 63.5 2.8 33 0.3 3.5 - - 8.5 47.0.062 47.0.061 3.1 27.7 3.2 28.6 4.7 42 0.2 1.8 11.2 47.0.067 47.0.066 1.9 7.2 7.8 29.6 15.8 60 0.8 3 26.3 47.0.069 47.0.068 322.5 33.5 394 41 236.9 25 8.5 0.9 961.9 47.0.071 47.0.070 447.8 25.5 690.8 39.4 593.7 34 22.3 1.3 1754.6 47.0.177 47.0.177 - - 0.1 25 0.3 75 - - 0.4 47.0.179 47.0.179 6.6 12.4 22.6 42.5 23.3 43.8 0.7 1.3 53.2 47.0.184 47.0.184 5.2 23.2 6.8 30.2 9.9 44.0 0.6 2.6 22.5 47.0.185 47.0.185 2.1 8.3 12.3 48.4 10.5 41.3 0.5 2 25.4 47.0.186 47.0.186 3.5 11.9 9.4 31.9 15.4 52.2 1.2 4.0 29.5

Table 4. Summary of smaller cremations found on site Context Feature Max Frag Length (mm) Total Fragment Number Weight (g) 47.0.020 47.0.006 2.6 1 <0.0 47.0.060 47.0.056 5.2 2 <0.0

MNI The burial in pit 47.0.050 was a double cremation of a non-adult (juvenile) with an adult, which was determined primarily using the identification of the deciduous dentition and differences in bone size and fusion (see Table 1). Burial 47.0.070 contained three individuals, including two adults and one non-adult. This was determined firstly with the identification of three left petrous temporal bones (ear bones), as well as unfused long bones and evidence of degenerative joint disease in the spine, which can develop in older adults. Burial 47.0.178 contained two individuals – an infant and a juvenile. In total there are at least fifteen individuals interred in this cremation cemetery.

Age Age is split into a number of categories, from foetus (up to 40 weeks in utero), neonate (around the time of birth), infant (newborn to one year), juvenile (1-12 years), adolescent (13-17 years), young adult (ya; 18-25 years), young middle adult (yma; 26-35 years), old middle adult (oma; 36-45 years), mature adult (ma; 46+) to adult (an individual whose age could not be determined more accurately than that they were eighteen or over). Age was determined using standard ageing techniques, as specified in Scheuer and Black (2000a; 2000b) and Cox (2000).

There was a conspicuous presence of non-adults in this cemetery the youngest being that interred in Pit 47.0.007, which was aged three months based on the presence of an undeveloped second deciduous molar and

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the very thin skull fragments. Burial 47.0.068 contained a surviving pubic symphysis fragment that was aged to 27-35 years (Stage V-VI) (Brooks and Suchey 1990). The remains from context 47.0.051 in pit 47.0.050 were of a double burial and included an adult with a juvenile based on the dentition retrieved. The bones from context 47.0.052 in the same pit were of a juvenile aged under the age of twelve based on the presence of two unfused long bone epiphyses, and may have been the same individual. The burial in context 47.0.55 in Pit 47.0.053 contained the surviving auricular surface fragments of the pelvis, from which age was estimated to between 36- 45 years (Lovejoy 1985). The two individuals from Burial 47.0.178 were aged between eight to twelve months old (infant) based on the fusion of the dens of the second cervical vertebra and the dental development, as well as a young juvenile aged between one and four years based on comparative analysis of the size of the calcaneus (heel bone).

Sex

Sex determination was carried out using standard osteological techniques, such as those described by Mays and Cox (2000), where sexually dimorphic elements survived. Assessment of sex involves examination of the shape of the skull and the pelvis and can only be carried out once sexual characteristics have developed, during late puberty and early adulthood. Very few sexually dimorphic fragments survived. One female was identified in Triple burial (47.0.070) based on the presence of a preauricular sulcus on a surviving pelvis fragment (see Table 1).

Non-Metric Traits An extra-sutural mastoid foramen non-metric trait was identified in Burial 47.0.050.

Pathology Evidence of moderate degenerative joint disease (DJD) was found on a surviving vertebral facet from Burial 47.0.068. This usually occurs within the lifetime of an individual after the age of 30.

Dentition A number of tooth fragments were retrieved from the majority of burials, with the noticeable presence of non-adult deciduous dentition.

20 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Table 5. Summary of identifiable elements in the cremation burials

Context/Feature Skull (%) Axial (g) Axial (%) UL (g) UL (%) LL (g) LL (%) UIL (g) UIL (%) Tot. ID (g) Tot. ID (%) Tot. UID (g) Tot. UID (%)

47.0.008/47.0.007 5 23.0 2.8 1.5 - - - - 5.8 29.6 10.6 54.0 9.9 45.0 47.0.011/47.0.010 3 17.0 ------6.7 50.0 9.0 67.2 4.4 32.8 47.0.022/47.0.017 0 49.1 0.5 2.7 - - - - 5.8 31.7 15.3 83.6 2.5 13.6 47.0.022/47.0.017 1 24.0 0.6 1.08 2.0 3.6 6.8 12.3 19.3 35.0 41.8 76.0 13.0 23.5 47.0.031/47.0.010 1 11.5 ------17.5 22.1 26.6 33.6 52.2 66.1 47.0.051/47.0.050 1 23 23.4 4.9 10.2 2.1 2.9 0.6 113 23.6 259.6 54.3 203.6 42.6 47.0.054/47.0.053 5 10.1 15.5 3.5 19.0 4.3 53.6 12.2 207.6 47.4 340.2 77.7 97.8 22.3 47.0.055/47.0.053 4 10.8 22.1 4.0 18.2 3.4 45.7 8.4 204.9 37.8 349.3 64.4 191.7 35.3 47.0.059/47.0.050 4 5.3 2.4 9.1 - - 1.7 6.5 11.8 45 17.3 65.8 9.0 34.2 47.0.062/47.0.061 0 23.5 0.2 2.3 - - - - 5.9 69.4 8.1 95.3 0.4 4.7 47.0.062/47.0.061 4 21.4 ------4.0 62.5 6.4 57.1 4.9 43.7 47.0.067/47.0.066 5 1.9 ------8.2 31.2 8.7 33.0 17.2 65.4 47.0.069/47.0.068 2 9.1 22.5 2.3 21.1 2.2 34.8 3.6 391.3 40.7 556.9 58.0 402.8 42.0 47.0.071/47.0.070 6 22.3 81.6 4.7 13.0 0.7 17.7 1.0 417.9 24.0 921.8 52.5 832.9 47.4 470.176/47.0.177 ------0.4 100 47.0.178/47.0.179 2 46.6 2.4 9.2 0.1 0.4 3.1 11.8 8.4 32.1 26.2 49.2 27.0 50.8 47.0.178/47.0.184 7 62.0 0.3 2.0 - - 0.1 1 4.9 35 14.0 62.2 8.5 37.8 47.0.178/47.0.185 4 48.8 1.5 8.7 0.6 3.5 - - 6.7 39.0 17.2 67.8 8.2 32.2 47.0.178/47.0.186 3 66.1 1.8 10.5 - - - - 4.0 23.4 17.1 58 12.4 42

21 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Summary and Funerary Ritual The burials represent an Early Bronze Age cremation cemetery, where at least fifteen individuals were interred (although because some fills were assigned multiple context numbers, the figure could be more like 17). The cemetery contained two double burials and a triple burial, as well as a total of five non-adults (under the age of 18), the youngest of which was buried in a single cremation aged around three months old. Age could also be estimated in a number of other individuals, mostly due to the survival of pelvic fragments and tooth eruption stages. Only one individual could be accurately sexed (as female), based on the presence of a pelvic preauricular sulcus in the triple burial 47.0.070. The overall preservation of the cremated bone was good, with many large identifiable bone fragments present. Pathology in the form of degenerative joint disease was only found on the surviving vertebral facet of one assemblage (Burial 47.0.068). A non-metric trait was also identified in Burial 47.0.050, in the form of an extrasutural mastoid foramen. Multiple cremation burials are not uncommon in the Bronze Age, and often non-adults were cremated and interred with adults, the reasons being either cultural or practical, or a combination of both. Often non-adults are overlooked in the archaeological record, and in the case of cremation burials this can sometimes be because of the fragility and size of their bones. In this Bronze Age cemetery, five of the twelve individuals (approx. 41.7%) that could be aged were non-adults.

References Brooks, S. T. and Suchey, J. M. 1990 ‘Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: a comparison of the Acsádi-Nemeskéri and Suchey-Brooks methods’ Human Evolution 5: 227-238 Cox, M. 2000 ‘Ageing adults from the skeleton’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds), Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science (London): 61-82 Lovejoy, C. O., Meindl, R. S., Pryzbeck, T. R. and Mensforth, R. P. 1985 ‘Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular surface of the ilium: a new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death’ American Journal of Physical Anthropology 68: 15-28 Mays, S. and Cox, M. 2000 ‘Sex determination in skeletal remains’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds) Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science (London): 117-130 McKinley, J.I. 1993. ‘Bone fragment size and weights of bone from modern British cremations and the implications for the interpretation of archaeological cremations’, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 3: 283-287Wahl, J. 1982. ‘Leichenbranduntersuchungen. Ein Überblick über die Bearbeitungs-und Aussagemöglichkeiten von Brandgräbern’, Prähistorische Zeitschrift 57: 2-125 McKinley, J.I. 1994 ‘Bone fragment size in British cremation burials and its implications for pyre technology and ritual’, Journal of Archaeological Science 21: 339-342 Scheuer, L. and Black, S. 2000a ‘Development and ageing of the juvenile skeleton’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds), Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science (London): 9-22 Scheuer, L. and Black, S. 2000b Developmental Juvenile Osteology (San Diego)

22 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Burial catalogue by Jonathan Hart

Northern group Cremation burial context: 47.0.177 Cut: 47.0.176 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 0.4g Age & sex: unidentified ?human bone Pathology: none Grave goods: none

Cremation burial context: 47.0.184, 47.0.185 and 47.0.186 (= 47.0.179) Cut: 47.0.178 Description: cist burial Bone weight: 130.6g Age & sex: MNI 2: one infant 6-9 months; 1 juvenile 1-4 years Pathology: none Grave goods: none

Central group Cremation burial context: 47.0.051, 47.0.052 (bone also from 47.0.059 stone lining) Cut: 47.0.050 Description: cist burial Bone weight: 643.6g Age & sex: one adult; one juvenile aged under 12 Pathology: Non-metric extra-sutural foramen Grave goods: burnt animal bone; charred hazelnut shell fragments; unidentified charred seeds

Cremation burial context: 47.0.058, 47.0.060 Cut: 47.0.056 Description: cist ?burial Bone weight: <0.0g Age & sex: unidentified burnt bone Pathology: none Grave goods: burnt animal bone; unidentified charred seeds

Cremation burial context: 47.0.071 Cut: 47.0.070 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 1754.6g Age & sex: two adults (one sexed as female); one juvenile aged 12-14 Pathology: none Grave goods: unburnt bone bead and burnt fragments of other worked bone objects

23 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Cremation burial context: 47.0.008, 47.0.014 Cut: 47.0.007 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 19.6g Age & sex: 3 months Pathology: none Grave goods: 3 sherds of Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age pottery; Mesolithic/Early Neolithic flints (1 x bladelet, 1 x flake); burnt animal bone

Cremation burial context: 47.0.069 Cut: 47.0.068 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 961.9g Age & sex: 26-35 years Pathology: DJD on vertebrae Grave goods: burnt stone fragments Radiocarbon date: 1650–1460 cal. BC (Beta-253580)

Cremation burial context: 47.0.011, 47.0.031 Cut: 47.0.010 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 65.5g Age & sex: adult Pathology: none Grave goods: Mesolithic/Early Neolithic chert blade

Cremation burial context: 47.0.054, 47.0.055 Cut: 47.0.053 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 980.5g Age & sex: adult Pathology: none Grave goods: none

Cremation burial context: 47.0.020 Cut: 47.0.006 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: <0.0g Age & sex: unidentified burnt bone Pathology: none Grave goods: none

24 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Cremation burial context: 47.0.013 Cut: 47.0.012 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 0.3g Age & sex: unidentified burnt bone Pathology: none Grave goods: 1 x piece of flint microdebitage

Southern group Cremation burial context: 47.0.022 Cut: 47.0.017 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 97.3g Age & sex: adult Pathology: none Grave goods: burnt animal bone; charred hazelnut shell fragments

Cremation burial context: 47.0.062 Cut: 47.0.061 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 19.7g Age & sex: human; age and sex not known Pathology: none Grave goods: none

Cremation burial context: 47.0.067 Cut: 47.0.066 Description: unlined cremation pit Bone weight: 26.3g Age & sex: human; age and sex not known Pathology: none Grave goods: burnt animal bone; charred hazelnut shell fragments; unidentified charred seeds Radiocarbon date: 1880–1650 cal. BC (Beta-253579)

25 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

APPENDIX D: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE BY JAMES RACKHAM

Animal or Human Bone Very small assemblages of burnt bone were recovered from two environmental samples – 47.0.4 (context 47.0.013) and 47.0.63 (context 47.0.071). Sample 47.0.61 was recorded as having burnt bone in the assessment (Caffel and Holst 2008) but this material is fused silicaceous material, possibly artefactual in origin (faience type material?), since it has a defined shape.

Sample 47.0.4 produced 22 tiny fragments of indeterminate burnt bone (0.3g). Sample 47.0.63 produced five fragments of indeterminate burnt bone (0.5g), three small fragments derive from long bone shafts of sheep sized animals and two derive from artefactual material, one or two burnt turned bone objects. This context is described as a cremation pit fill and has produced a number of identified human bones (Fotaki and Holst 2013) so the object was presumably attached to the body when it was cremated.

Environmental soil samples Twenty five environmental samples were taken during the excavation. An additional six were taken during the subsequent watching brief of which only five were processed (Appendix D Fig. D1). Two stone-lined pits were found and five samples were taken from the fill and stone lining of pit 47.0.050 and two from stone lined pit 47.0.056. Eleven other pits or postholes were excavated in this area, nine of which were sampled, and a second group of six pits, a tree bowl or pit and a stakehole or natural feature, located eleven metres to the south five of which were sampled. One pit or tree bowl that is not precisely located, but was associated with cremation pit 47.0.017, was also sampled (8* on Fig. D1). One sample 47.0.064 (Table 1) was not recorded on the sample register and has no sample recording sheet or processing record, but a residue was located and refloated. The sample is not considered in the analysis. In 2014 an area to the north of the original excavations was excavated and further samples were taken from a stone cist, 47.0.176, a four from a second possible cist, 47.0.178.

26 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Table 6. List of environmental samples from Site 47.00

sample context feature proc feature vol l Date (C14 dates at 95% probability) no no wt kg 47.0.001 47.0.008 47.0.007 Cremation pit fill 16 19 LNeo/EBA 47.0.002 47.0.011 47.0.010 Cremation pit fill 28 38 2030–1880 cal BC (hazel char) 2120–1890 cal BC (human longbone) 47.0.003 47.0.020 47.0.006 pit fill 2 2 EBA? 47.0.004 47.0.013 47.0.012 Pit fill 2 2 EBA? 47.0.005 47.0.014 47.0.007 Cremation pit fill 10 15 LNeo/EBA 47.0.006 47.0.018 47.0.018 Stake hole/pit 1 1 EBA? 47.0.007 47.0.021 47.0.016 Natural 1 1 EBA? feature/sta kehole 47.0.008 47.0.023 47.0.023 Pit fill/treebowl 13 16 EBA? 47.0.009 47.0.031 47.0.010 Cremation pit fill 21 31 EBA 47.0.010 47.0.022 47.0.017 Cremation pit fill 12 15 EBA? 47.0.050 47.0.051 47.0.050 Stone lined cremation 12 15 EBA pit fill 47.0.051 47.0.052 47.0.050 Stone lined cremation Not processed EBA pit fill 47.0.052 47.0.054 47.0.053 Cremation pit fill 14 18 EBA? 47.0.053 47.0.055 47.0.053 Cremation pit fill 17 22 EBA? 47.0.054 47.0.058 47.0.056 Stonelined cremation 7 8 EBA? pit fill 47.0.055 47.0.052 47.0.050 Stone lined cremation 8 12 EBA pit fill 47.0.056 47.0.060 47.0.056 Stone lined cremation 7 8 EBA? pit fill 47.0.057 47.0.059 47.0.050 Stone lining of 28 45 2120–1890 cal BC (alder/ hazel char) cremation 2030–1830 cal BC (human skull) pit 47.0.058 47.0.062 47.0.061 cremation pit fill 8 13 EBA 47.0.059 47.0.064 47.0.063 Pit fill 4 3 EBA? 47.0.060 47.0.067 47.0.066 Cremation pit fill 4 4 1890-1630 cal BC (charred material) 47.0.061 47.0.069 47.0.068 Cremation pit fill 4 5 EBA 47.0.062 47.0.069 47.0.068 Cremation pit fill 27 37 1670-1450 cal BC (charred material) 1885-1730 and 1715-1690 cal BC (charred hazelnut) 47.0.063 47.0.071 47.0.070 Cremation pit fill 26 38 EBA? 47.0.064 47.0.059 47.0.050 Cremation pit fill nd nd No proc record 4718001 47.0.177 47.0.176 Cist fill nd nd EBA? 4718002 47.0.179 47.0.178 Possible cist fill nd nd EBA? 4718003 nd nd nd nd nd Not processed? 4718004 47.0.184 47.0.178 Possible cist fill nd nd EBA? 4718005 47.0.185 47.0.178 Possible cist fill nd nd EBA? 4718006 47.0.186 47.0.178 Possible cist fill nd nd EBA? nd – no data

The samples were processed in the manner described in the assessment report (Giorgi and Martin 2009) with the additional refloating of the dried <2mm sample residues that were located whose flot volume is indicated in Table 7. This second flot was then sorted for charred macrofossils and the residue re-dried and checked with a magnet to recover any further magnetic material, of which none was found. The samples from the later excavations,

27 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

FEL14, were processed by Cotswold Archaeology following their procedures, and the <2mm fraction submitted for refloating which was carried out by the EAC.

The samples produced a very few archaeological finds. Pit 47.0.007 produced pot sherds that have been tentatively assigned to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age (Gibson 2013), and flint flakes. Another flake was recovered from pit 47.0.012. Fired earth crumbs were recovered form a number of the samples and several produced a magnetic component (Table 7). Sample 47.0.061 (pit 47.0.068) produced a fragment of fused silicaceous material having the appearance of ‘faience’ which may have been a ceramic artefact that was placed with the adult body on the pyre and a burnt worked ‘turned’ bone object (two bits) from sample 47.0.063 (pit 47.0.070) suggests another object attached to the body of one of the three individuals represented in this pit.

The environmental evidence from the samples was dominated by charcoal, although several of the features produced very little of this (Tables 7 and 8). Twelve of the samples produced small quantities of charred hazel nutshell (Tables 7 and 8). Considering most of the sampled features are interpreted as cremation burial pits the presence of hazel nutshell is interesting. Accidental charring of nutshell seems very unlikely in a cremation pyre where fuel is dominated by oak (see below) and any hazel is likely to have been used as kindling to get the fire started. There seems little opportunity for nuts to enter such a fire accidentally, and the implication is that they were either placed or thrown on the fire purposively or they were consumed at the site by people attending the cremation and the shells discarded onto the fires. It is conceivable that some of this material could derive from residual Mesolithic or Neolithic material associated with the few Mesolithic and Neolithic flints identified (Pannet 2009). In two of the contexts this nutshell was fairly abundant (> 60 fragments - pits 068 and 066), both were pits that produced cremated human bone and there was one from each of the central and southern concentrations of features. While it is not impossible that this material could be reworked, the concentration would suggest contemporaneity with the cremation burials, although absolute proof could only be obtained by radiocarbon dating the nutshell. A few scraps of nutshell were therefore submitted for radiocarbon dating from context 47.0.069, feature 47.0.068, from which a radiocarbon date of 1670-1450 cal BC (Table 6) had previously been obtained on charcoal. These gave a result of 1885-1730 and 1715-1690 cal BC (Table 6) suggesting a slightly earlier date for the hazel nutshells, but still contemporary with other cremations on the site.

A few other identifiable plant macrofossils were found including occasional seeds of ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), sedge (Carex sp.), blackberry/raspberry (Rubus sp.), heath grass (Danthonia decumbens) and self heal (Prunella vulgaris), and a variety of small unidentifiable herbaceous tubers. These seem likely to be derived from incidental burning of vegetation around and beneath the pyres or dry vegetation used to get the fires started.

The five processed samples from the watching brief produced charred plant assemblages consisting largely of charcoal including Quercus (oak), the dominant taxon amongst the wood charcoal recorded during the excavation (see Challinor below). There was little other charred plant material in these samples: occasional Corylus avellana (hazel) nut shell and herbaceous stem/root fragments in three samples from deposits (47.0. 177, 47.0.184, 47.0.186) (Table 8). Small amounts of very fragmented burnt bone were also noted in four of the samples. A few un-charred seeds including Atriplex (oraches) and beetle and earthworm egg cases in three contexts are probably intrusive, all five samples containing variable amounts of roots/rootlets. The few herbaceous stem fragments may be from vegetation gathered as tinder/fuel for the burning of the body, possibly from local areas of grassland, as indicated by plant macro-remains and pollen evidence from the earlier investigations at the site.

28 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Fig. D1. Plan of Site 47.0 with samples located (8* - sample from a tree bowl associated with pit 017 but not georeferenced)

29 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Table 7. Data for the environmental samples from the excavation feature vol. 1st fired pro- flot nd earth 2 burnt mammal bone cremated human bone Worked Magnetic sample context cessed >1mm Pot Sample comments flot g. g. flint material

47.0.003 47.0.020 47.0.006 2 1 1 <0.0 + D 47.0.001 47.0.008 47.0.007 16 27 20 + 19.6 E E D cf. Fabaceae, Corylus avellana shell x8, ?buds; vfax1; flint chipx1 47.0.005 47.0.014 47.0.007 10 120 6 + + Charred herbaceous tuber 47.0.002 47.0.011 47.0.010 28 350 nd + 47.0.009 47.0.031 47.0.010 21 250 50 + 55.1 + C Corylus avellana shell x6, tubers, NFI seeds. 47.0.004 47.0.013 47.0.012 2 13 2 0.3 + E C 47.0.006 47.0.018 47.0.018 1 3 2 + D 47.0.052 47.0.054 47.0.053 14 50 10 + 438 + B 47.0.053 47.0.055 47.0.053 17 85 18 + 542.5 + 47.0.061 47.0.035 47.0.068 4 115 11 + Fused silicaeous material (faience?) 47.0.062 47.0.069 47.0.068 27 800 164 + 961.9 A Corylus avellana shellx47+46, Plantago cf lanceolata x1,cf. Carex, Poaceae x1, NFI seed. 47.0.063 47.00.071 47.0.070 26 120 55 0.5++ 1754.6 A Worked turned bone objectx2-burnt; Rubus sp. X1, NFI seedx1 47.0.050 47.0.051 47.0.050 12 300 74 + 508.5 + Corylus avellana shell x4. 47.0.055 47.0.052 47.0.050 8 75 50 + 139.1 + Corylus avellana shellx4, NFI seedx2 47.0.057 47.0.059 47.0.050 28 25 17 + 26.3 + Corylus avellana shellx4. Large 47.0.058 47.0.062 47.0.050 8 7.5 5 + 11.2 47.0.064 47.0.059 47.0.050 nd nd 3 + + No processing record of 1st flot Cist 56 47.0.054 47.0.058 47.0.056 7 80 nf 47.0.056 47.0.060 47.0.056 7 20 2 <0.0 + Charred indet. seed. x1 Southern group 47.0.007 47.0.021 47.0.016 1 3 4 D 47.0.008 47.0.023 47.0.023 13 600 220 Corylus avellana shell x4. 47.0.010 47.0.022 47.0.017 12 10 40 + 79 Corylus avellana shell x1, Prunella vulgarisx1, Plantago cf lanceolata x1, small Pocaceax2, herbaceous tubers, NFI seed x2 47.0.059 47.0.064 47.0.063 4 10 nf 47.0.060 47.0.067 47.0.066 4 3 160 + 26.3 Corylus avellana shellx40 +21 (1.2g), herbaceous tubers, Danthonia decumbens x1, seeds x2 NFI

30 © Cotswold Archaeology South Wales Gas Pipeline Project Site 47.00: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief

Table 8. Data for the environmental samples from the watching brief

1st 2nd vol. charred burnt flot charcoal cremated fired Magnetic sample context feature pro- plants mammal Pot Worked flint Sample comments # human bone g. earth material cessed bone g.

Chd Corylus avellana (hazelnut shell) x4; herbaceous 4718001 47.0.177 47.0.176 nd 53 4/5 1 0.4 nd nd nd nd stem/root fragment x1;>potentially identifiable charcoal;>roots NO CPR; occ potentially identifiable charcoal fragments; 4718002 47.0.179 47.0.178 nd 10 2/3 + 53.2 nd nd nd nd un-charred seeds (Atriplex); v small burnt bone fragments; beetle fragment; >roots Chd Corylus avellana (hazelnut shell) x1; herbaceous stem/root fragment x1;>potentially identifiable 4718004 47.0.184 47.0.178 nd 50 4/5 1 + 22.5 nd nd nd nd charcoal; small burnt bone fragments; some roots NO CPR; > potentially identifiable charcoal (including Quercus); un-charred seeds (Atriplex); v small 4718005 47.0.185 47.0.178 nd 32 4/5 + 25.4 nd nd nd nd burnt bone fragments; earthworm egg cases; >roots Chd Corylus avellana (hazelnut shell) x1; herbaceous stem/root fragment x2;>potentially identifiable 4718006 47.0.186 47.0.178 nd 82 5/5 1 + 29.5 nd nd nd nd charcoal (including Quercus); un-charred seeds (Atriplex); small burnt bone fragments; earthworm egg cases; >roots + - a few fragments of unidentifiable burnt bone/fired earth in the flot; nrf- not refloated; * = abundance: 1=1-10, 2=11-50, 3=51-150, 4=151-250, 5=250+ # = abundance >2mm/<2mm; nd – no data

Charcoal (Dana Challinor) A selection of the samples from the Early Bronze Age cremation pits were studied for charcoal, along with one pit, which did not produce human remains, for comparison. Standard identification procedures were followed; 30 fragments were considered sufficient given the low diversity of the assemblages.

A total of 240 fragments were examined, from which only two taxa were positively identified (Table 9). The assemblages were overwhelmingly dominated by one taxon, Quercus sp. (oak), with a few rare fragments of Corylus avellana (hazel). All of the hazel fragments came from roundwood, consistent with the use of branches. The oak, in contrast, included plentiful mature wood, with frequent heartwood and ages of 40+ years. Much of the oak was comminuted (fragmented into thin slivers) and/ or <1 growth ring, which inhibited determination of maturity. Apart from the fragmentation and a covering of sediment, the preservation of the charcoal was reasonably good. Some high levels of vitrification and radial cracks were recorded.

Table 9. Charcoal from cremation and other pits at Site 47.0 stone cremation cremation cremation pit Feature stone lined cremation pit lined pit pit pit cremation Feature no. 47010 47050 47056 47066 47068 47063

Context no. 47011 47051 47052 47059 47060 47067 47069 47064

Sample no. 47002 47050 47055 47057 47056 47060 47062 47059 30

Quercus sp. oak 28 (h) 28 (h) 29 (h) 28 (h) 30 (h) 30 (h) 30 (h)

Corylus hazel 2r 2r 1r 1r avellana L. Alnus/Corylus alder/hazel 1r

Total 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 h=heartwood; r=roundwood; (brackets denotes presence in some frags only)

The dominance of oak in the cremation assemblages (97%) is consistent with the use of oak for cremations elsewhere along the route of the pipeline (such as Site 222). Oak provides a high calorific fuel which is suitable for efficient cremation, as demonstrated by the strong calcination of the human bone fragments (see above). The few hazel pieces are likely to represent kindling or brushwood infilling from the pyre. The similarity of the assemblage from pit 47063 suggests a strong likelihood that the charcoal in this pit also derived from cremation- related activities. The lack of diversity in these assemblages is appropriate for the selection of fuel for cremation purposes; a pattern replicated at other Bronze Age sites across England and Wales. The apparent lack of differentiation between these assemblages indicates an absence of variation in fuelwood selection practices according to the gender/age of the individual, as has been posited at other sites (Campbell 2007). Several of the burials at Site 47 contained multiple individuals and/or represented juveniles; the latter category presumably requiring less quantity/calorific value for efficient cremation. The regular use of mature oak indicates that substantial trees had been felled for the cremations. While this may have been part of the ritual practice, it also shows that adequate supplies of large oak trees were locally available.

Discussion The site lies on a flatter area of the north east facing slopes of Cefn Llechid at an altitude of approximately 207m OD. The soils are freely draining slightly acid loamy soils (http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/). The nearest contemporary project pollen study is Test Pit 78 on Mynndd Myddfai just under 15km to the west of Site 47.00. The pollen evidence indicates an Early Bronze Age landscape dominated by oak and hazel woodland, with birch woods probably on the high ground (the pollen site at approximately 370m OD is appreciably higher than Site 47.0), perhaps colonising areas previously cleared. Minor traces of pastoral indicators such as Plantago lanceolata, Rannunculus type and Succisa type suggest some local grassland at the pollen site. Traces of cereal type pollen occur through the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age suggesting cultivation at this altitude (Rackham et al in prep). Mature oak and hazel woodland is likely to have been available close to Site 47.00 as a source of timber for the funeral pyres. The clear concentration on substantial oak timber suggests that this material was felled and possibly seasoned before use. Its efficiency as a pyre fuel would be much improved by drying.

There is no evidence from the site to suggest that any features might have been occupation deposits rather than cremations and so the hazelnuts would appear to be associated with the funeral activities, either placed with the bodies on the pyre or consumed by attendees with the shells discarded onto the fires. We should perhaps be a little cautious with this conclusion since residual hazel nutshell occurs on one or two other sites along the pipeline but nutshells from one of the richer hazelnut assemblages from pit 47.0.068 have been dated to the Early Bronze Age, contemporary with other cremations on the site, and although a little earlier than charcoal from the same context it is clearly not residual Mesolithic or Neolithic material.

References Brooks, S. T. and Suchey, J. M. 1990. ‘Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: a comparison of the Acsádi-Nemeskéri and Suchey-Brooks methods’ Human Evolution 5: 227-238 Campbell, G. 2007. Cremation deposits and the use of wood in cremation ritual, in J Harding & F Healy, The Raunds Area Project: A Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in Northamptonshire, 30-33, Swindon, English Heritage Cox, M. 2000. ‘Ageing adults from the skeleton’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds), Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science (London): 61-82 Gibson, A. 2013 Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Brecon Gas Pipeline: The Neolithic and Bronze Age Pottery from the Archaeological Investigations, Gibson typescript report no. 121 Lovejoy, C. O., Meindl, R. S., Pryzbeck, T. R. and Mensforth, R. P. 1985. ‘Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular surface of the ilium: a new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death’ American Journal of Physical Anthropology 68: 15-28 Mays, S. and Cox, M. 2000. ‘Sex determination in skeletal remains’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds) Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science (London): 117-130 McKinley, J.I. 1994. ‘Bone fragment size in British cremation burials and its implications for pyre technology and ritual’, Journal of Archaeological Science 21: 339-342 NLM (Nacap Land and Marine) 2012b Felindre to Brecon High Pressure Gas Pipeline: Archaeology Assessment of Potential for Analysis Pannett, A. 2009 ‘Lithics’, in NLM2012 Rackham, D. J., Challinor, D., Langdon, C. and Scaife, R. in prep Palaeoenvironmental studies along the Milford Haven to Aberdulais and Felindre to Tirley Natural Gas Pipeline. Southampton University Archaeology Monograph Series

Sausin, D. and Hart, J. 2013 South Wales Pipeline Project. Site 47.00. Land North-West of Cwm-Camlais-Isaf Trallong, Penpont and Llanfihangel, Powys. Draft CA Report. Scheuer, L. and Black, S. 2000a. ‘Development and ageing of the juvenile skeleton’, in M. Cox and S. Mays (eds), Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science (London): 9-22 Scheuer, L. and Black, S. 2000b. Developmental Juvenile Osteology (San Diego)

APPENDIX E: THE RADIOCARBON DATES BY SEREN GRITHIFFS

Six radiocarbon results exist from Site 47 (Fig. 6), four measurements were produced on demonstrably shortlife material (SUERC-54650 and -54651 from pit 47.0.050, and SUERC-54652 and -54653 from pit 47.0.010), and two measurements on ‘charred botanical material’ (Beta-253580 from pit 47.0.068 and Beta-253579 from pit 47.0.66). The unidentified ‘botanical material’ is presented here as if these samples represented shortlife plant macrofossils (though it is possible that they contained an inbuilt ‘old wood’ offset) to indicate the range of ages of potential activity on the site. The results from the larger more substantial features, pits 47.0.050 and 47.0.010 are all statistically consistent and could be of the same actual age (T’=1.7; T’5%=7.8; df=3; Ward and Wilson 1978); each of the pairs of samples from these features are statistically consistent (pit 47.0.050; T’=1.0; T’5%=3.8; df=1. Pit 47.0.010; T’=0.5; T’5%=3.8; df=1), suggesting that ‘old wood’ cremation fuel offsets are unlikely (van Stydonk et al. 2010). If the demonstrably shortlife results from pit 47.0.050 and pit 47.0.010 represented a single ‘archaeological event’, a weighted mean taken prior to calibration suggests that this activity would have most probably occurred in the 21st or 20th centuries cal BC (3601±15; T’=1.7; T’5%=7.8; df=3; Ward and Wilson 1978).

The consistency of these results suggest that a main phase of slightly different activity may have occurred before subsequent activity represented by small circular features such as 47.0.068 and 47.0.066, however the duration and nature of any subsequent activity is poorly understood, because of the potential for inbuilt ‘old wood’ offsets in the ‘Beta-‘ results from this site. The estimate for the start of activity from this site, in 2340–1930 cal BC (95% probable; or 2120–1970 cal BC; Start 47; Fig. 6), is unlikely to be erroneously early because of an inbuilt ‘old wood’ effect, as the earliest radiocarbon dates from the site were produced on the shortlife samples from pits 47.0.050 and 47.0.010.

Table 1 Radiocarbon dates for Site 47.00 Context Feature Sampled material Laboratory ref Measured δ13C Calibrated date age (95%) 47.0.011 47.0.010 Corylus avellana SUERC-54652 3590 +/-29 -24.8 2030–1880 cal BC charcoal (GU34658) 47.0.011 47.0.010 Human cremated SUERC-54653 3620 +/-29 -23.9 2120–1890 cal BC ‘long bone' fragment (GU34659) 47.0.059 47.0.050 Alnus/Corylus SUERC-54650 3617 +/-29 -24.9 2120–1890 cal BC charcoal (GU34656) 47.0.059 47.0.050 Human cremated SUERC-54651 3575 +/-29 -24.2 2030–1830 cal BC skull fragments (GU34657) (two) 47.0.067 47.0.066 Charred botanical Beta-253579 3440 +/-40 1890–1630 cal BC material 47.0.069 47.0.068 Charred botanical Beta-253580 3280 +/-40 1650–1460 cal BC material

Fig. 6 A Bayesian model for the results from site 47, although not all of the samples were identified to exclude the possibility of an inbuilt ‘old wood’ offset, the earliest results are demonstrably shortlife, and the start estimate should not be erroneously early. The latest results are included to reflect the potential duration of activity at the site. Each distribution represents the relative probability that an event occurred at a particular time. For each distribution two ranges have been plotted. The range in outline represents the calibrated radiocarbon result, the solid distribution represents the posterior density estimate (or Bayesian statistical model output). The large square brackets and CQL2 OxCal keywords define the model exactly.

Additional radiocarbon date (obtained after the Bayesian analysis of the results detailed above) Context Feature Sampled material Laboratory ref Measured δ13C Calibrated date age (95%) 47.0.069 47.0.068 charred hazelnut Beta-435173 3480 +/-30 -25.4 1885–1730 cal BC shell frags x 2 1715–1690 cal BC

36 A NNyferyfer

AAC Cothi Site 47.0 PEMBROKESHIREPEMMBRBROROKESESHIRSSHIREH RE CARMARTHENSHIRECACCARMARARRRMARMARA THENH NSHISH RE n Lly AfonA LlynfiLly dau Brecon w Tywi

A CyninCyni on frfron Ty stern Cleddau AfronAAf Tywi ddau BRECONC BEACONSBBEAEAACONSACACONS NATIONALNNATNATIONATIONAATIONAO ALA PARKPARPARK WessternWes Eastern Cleddau Cleddau CywynCy A Cywyn Cyw FawrFawFaawr endraet Milford Gwendraeth Fach draeth RhymneyRhyRhR R / GwendraethGwendr Fach hymney R / Haven g aweaw ugu Taw el A T R Loughor R / T / h / A Nedd A R Tawel AAberdulais TaweTaw RhyRh R Neath / A Nedd AAR Rhondda Fach ondda F Felindre A Rhondda Fawr

awr 0 25km SSWSWANSSWANSEAWWAANANSEEAA

Site 47.0

Site 46.03 Site 45.16 Fig 2 Inset Site 48.06

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Milford Haven to Aberdulais pipeline Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk Felindre to Brecon pipeline e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE 0-75m contour South Wales Pipeline. Site 47.0, Land North-West of 75m contour Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont & Llanfihangel, Powys 200m contour FIGURE TITLE Site location plan 400m contour 600m contour 0 1km FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 16-08-2013 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 N modern land drain

47.0.182 modern land drain

47.0.178 47.0.176

modern land drain

C 47.0.034

modern land drain

B SN 95543 47.0.050 28589

47.0.056

47.0.053 A

47.0.070 A Site 47.0 285 47.0.010

E 47.0.061 47.0.032 stone capped pit 47.0.024 47.0.004 47.0.026 47.0.005

D SNSN 955 0100m1:5000 47.0.018 47.0.006

E D 47.0.068 1885-1730 cal. BC 47.0.012 pipeline centreline 1715-1690 cal. BC 47.0.007 1650-1460 cal. BC 47.0.029 Early Bronze Age

stone-lined pit

grave with human burnt bone

grave with unidentified burnt bone

colluvium

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

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 47.0.015 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 0 10m e [email protected] 47.0.017 PROJECT TITLE South Wales Pipeline. Site 47.0, Land North-West of 47.0.016 47.0.066 Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont & Llanfihangel, Powys 47.0.061 1650-1880 cal. BC FIGURE TITLE 47.0.063 Plan of cremation cemetery

PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 03-06-2016 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:125 2 Section AA A N stone lining NE SW 47.0.057

pit 47.0.060 47.0.058 47.0.056 stone lining 47.0.057 A pit 47.0.060 47.0.056

01m0 0.5m

stone lining 47.0.059

pit B 47.0.050

01m

Section BB

SW NE

47.0.051

stone lining pit 47.0.059 47.0.050

0 0.5m

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

PROJECT TITLE Site 47.0 pipeline centreline South Wales Pipeline. Site 47.0, Land North-West of Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont & Llanfihangel, Powys 285 FIGURE TITLE Plans and sections of pits 47.0.056 & 47.0.050

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 16-08-2013 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 0100m1:5000 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:20 1:10 SNSN 955 Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 3 Section DD Section CC NNE SSW NW SE

47.0.069 47.0.035 pit pit 47.0.034 47.0.068

01m

Section EE

SSW NNE

47.0.033

pit 47.0.032

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

PROJECT TITLE Site 47.0 pipeline centreline South Wales Pipeline. Site 47.0, Land North-West of Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont & Llanfihangel, Powys 285 FIGURE TITLE Sections of pits 47.0.034, 47.0.068 & 47.0.032

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 21-08-2013 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 0100m1:5000 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:20 SNSN 955 Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 4 5

The site in its landscape setting, looking north-east

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk Fig. 5 e [email protected]

pipeline centreline PROJECT TITLE Site 47.0 South Wales Pipeline. Site 47.0, Land North-West of Fig. ? photograph locator Cwm-Camlais-Isaf, Trallong, Penpont & Llanfihangel, Powys 285 FIGURE TITLE Photograph

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 9150 DATE 14-01-2016 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 0100m1:5000 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 NA SNSN 955 Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 5