Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire

LAND AT IFTON MANOR, ROGIET, MONMOUTHSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

C.A.T JOB: 0681 C.A.T REPORT: 97503

OCTOBER 1997

This report has been researched and compiled with all reasonable skill, care, and attention to detail within the terms of the project as specified by the Client and within the general terms and conditions of Cotswold Archaeological Trust Ltd. The Trust shall not be liable for any inaccuracy, error or omission in the report or other documents produced as part of the Consultancy and no liability is accepted for any claim, loss or damage howsoever arising from any opinion stated or conclusion or other material contained in this report or other documents supplied as part of the Consultancy.

This report is confidential to the Client. Cotswold Archaeological Trust Ltd accept no responsibility whatsoever to third parties to whom this report, or any part of it is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk.

Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

CONTENTS ...... 1

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ...... 2

GLOSSARY ...... 3

SUMMARY ...... 4

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5

1.1 Introduction ...... 5 1.2 The Study Area...... 5 1.3 Archaeological and Historical Background...... 6 1.4 Archaeological Specification and Methods ...... 7

2. EVALUATION RESULT ...... 8

2.1 General ...... 8 2.2 Romano-British (Figs. 4, 5 & 6) ...... 8 2.3 Medieval (Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10) ...... 10 2.4 Post-medieval/modern ...... 12 2.5 Undated (Fig. 11 & 12) ...... 13

3. ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS...... 15

3.1 Date and Interpretation of Archaeological Deposits ...... 15 Romano-British ...... 16 Medieval ...... 17 Post-medieval/modern ...... 18 Undated ...... 18 3.2 Survival and Extent of Archaeological Deposits ...... 19

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 20

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 20

APPENDIX 1 ...... 33

APPENDIX 2 ...... 38

APPENDIX 3 ...... 39

1 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Location plan ...... 21 Fig. 2 Study area, showing location of trenches ...... 22 Fig. 3 Extract from 2nd edition ordnance survey map (1901) ...... 23 Fig.4 Trench 10, plan and sections ...... 24 Fig. 5 Trench 10, burial [1001] ...... 25 Fig. 6 Trench 2, plan and sections ...... 26 Fig. 7 Trench 8, plan and sections ...... 27 Fig. 8 Trench 12, plan and sections ...... 28 Fig. 9 Trench 15, plan and section ...... 29 Fig. 10 Trench 3, plan and section ...... 30 Fig. 11 Trench 7, plan ...... 31 Fig. 12 Trench 1, plan and sections ...... 32

2 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

GLOSSARY

ARCHAEOLOGY For the purposes of this project, archaeology is taken to mean the study of past human societies through their material remains, from prehistoric times to the modern era. No rigid upper date limit has been set, but AD 1900 is used as a general cut-off point.

CONTEXT The simplest level of excavated archaeological data, i.e. a context could be the cut of a ditch (shown as - [1], or its fill (shown as (2)).

MEDIEVAL Taken here as the period from the Norman invasion in AD 1066 to approximately AD 1500.

NATURAL Defined in archaeological terms this refers to the undisturbed natural geology of a site, e.g. Lower Lias clay, river terrace gravels etc.

NGR National Grid Reference given from the Ordnance Survey Grid.

OD Ordnance Datum; used to express a given height above mean sea level.

POST-MEDIEVAL The period following the medieval period, from AD1500 to the Industrial Revolution.

PRN Principal Record Number (used for entries on the County SMR)

ROMANO-BRITISH Term used to describe a fusion of indigenous late Iron Age traditions with Roman culture, often abbreviated as `R-B.'

SMR Sites and Monument Record.

3 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

In August 1997 Cotswold Archaeological Trust (CAT) was commissioned by Bovis Homes Limited to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire (NGR ST 4650 8795).

The evaluation results indicate that Romano-British, medieval, and post-medieval deposits survive throughout the proposed development area.

Romano-British activity is restricted to the eastern limit of the proposed development area, whilst the medieval activity is concentrated around the central core of the study area, most notably on the high ground on the periphery of the modern farm complex and presumed location of the medieval manor and church. An undated subterranean structure with a corbelled sprung roof also survives close to the medieval core of the study area.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 In August 1997 Cotswold Archaeological Trust (CAT) was commissioned by Bovis Homes Limited to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire (NGR ST 4650 8795) (Fig.1).

1.1.2 The work was undertaken in compliance with the ‘Standard and Guidance for Field Evaluation’ issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA). Mr Charles Hill, of Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (Curatorial Division), made a monitoring visit on the 12th September 1997.

1.2 The Study Area

1.2.1 The study area is approximately 2.5 ha, and largely comprises of pasture land, although an area of semi-derelict buildings and yards is clustered around the manor house in the centre of the site. The development area is bound to the north by the B4245, to the west by residential housing and to the south and east by pasture land (Fig.2).

1.2.2 The underlying solid geology of the study area is Triassic Sandstone overlain by a drift geology of Quaternary estuarine alluvium and second terrace gravel deposits. Topographically, the proposed development area is situated on a small peninsula of sandstone, at approximately 12.5m OD, which slopes on three sides to the now redundant Ifton Bank Reen at 6.25m OD.

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1.3 Archaeological and Historical Background.

1.3.1 A rapid desk-based assessment of readily accessible archaeological, historical and cartographic records was undertaken prior to the commencement of fieldwork. The main sources of information accessed consisted of relevant data held in the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), Swansea, and the County Records Office, Cwmbran.

1.3.2 The earliest recorded archaeological evidence within the general vicinity of the proposed development area is a flint scraper (PRN 4057G), found during construction work at Crossways Road, Rogiet (NGR ST 4610 8794). Human remains found at Ifton Quarry in 1908 (PRN 492G) have been assumed to be of Neolithic date, although the lack of artefactual material found in association with the burials means no accurate date can be assigned (GGAT 1997).

1.3.3 Ifton Manor lies 2.6km south of the Roman town of Caerwent (Venta Silurum). Further evidence of Roman occupation within the general vicinity of the study area has previously been revealed at Caldicot (NGR ST 4740 8770), where a series of five, late third/early fourth century AD pottery kilns, were identified in 1965. The foundations of a large Roman building were discovered 800m west of the study area during an archaeological evaluation at Manor Farm, Rogiet (NGR ST 4563 8771). Roman burials, miscellaneous finds, including late third century coins, and a possible paved road (PRN 498G) were found 700m north-east of the proposed development area during quarrying near Dewston Farm (NGR ST 4675 8860). A small hoard of fourth century and early fifth century coins are reputed to have been discovered at an undetermined location within Ifton (ibid.).

1.3.4 The manor at Ifton is first mentioned in a Survey of Wentwood in AD 1270. It is presumed that a medieval castle or fortified manor house was present on or close to the site of the present manor house, although no direct evidence of the medieval structure has as yet been discovered (ibid.).

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1.3.5 The site of the church of St James (PRN 490G) is believed to have been situated to the north of the present manor house at NGR ST 4650 8795. The church is first mentioned in a will of AD 1527 and was demolished c AD 1755. Fragments of mortar and masonry were noted during levelling of this area in the 1950’s prior to the construction of the existing bungalow (ibid.) (Fig.3).

1.3.6 The present manor house (PRN 491G) is of stone construction, possibly dating to the seventeenth century, although considerable alterations were undertaken during the nineteenth century. The building is not statutorily protected (ibid.).

1.4 Archaeological Specification and Methods

1.4.1 An archaeological specification issued by CAT to evaluate the archaeological potential of the study area was approved by Mr N. Maylan, Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (Curatorial Division).

1.4.2 The objective of the evaluation was to determine the character, distribution, extent, date and preservation of any buried archaeological remains within the proposed development area, so an informed decision on their importance could be made.

1.4.3 The evaluation was fulfilled by the excavation of seventeen trenches. All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machining was carried out under archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological deposit or the natural substrate, which ever was encountered first.

1.4.4 Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were sampled by hand in accordance with CAT Technical Manual 1 Site Recording Manual (1993). All artefacts recovered were catalogued in accordance with CAT Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).

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Particular emphasis was given to potentially datable artefacts such as pottery. A full written, drawn and photographic record was kept during the programme of works.

1.4.5 The finds and site archive will, subject to agreement with the legal landowner, be deposited with Chepstow Museum.

2. EVALUATION RESULT

2.1 General

2.1.1 A total of seventeen, rather than fifteen trenches were excavated (the two additional trenches were requested by Mr C. Hill, GGAT (Curatorial Division) during the monitoring visit on 12 September 1997). The location of trenches 3 and 6 underwent revision to take into account access to the existing domestic buildings within the development area. The modified trench positions were located according to the plan shown as Fig. 2.

2.1.2 The natural substrate was revealed throughout the proposed development area between 5.1m OD and 11.6m OD.

2.1.3 Descriptions of all features recorded within the evaluation trenches are contained within Appendix 1. Brief descriptions of all significant features are presented chronologically within this section.

2.2 Romano-British (Figs. 4, 5 & 6)

Trench 10

2.2.1 A stone lined grave [1001] containing an articulated skeleton was revealed at the southern limit of trench 10. The grave was orientated east-west, measured

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1.80m in length with a maximum internal width of 0.55m. It was lined with crudely dressed local sandstone blocks (1003), with the exception of the eastern extent, which was demarcated by vertical pitched sandstone. The skeleton (1002) was in a poor state of preservation. One sherd of Romano- British pottery was retrieved from grave fill (1004).

2.2.2 Ditch [1005] was revealed 6.5m from the northern limit of trench 10, orientated east-west. It measured 2.2m in width, was fully excavated to a depth of 0.8m, and contained red-brown silty clay fill (1006) from which one sherd of Romano-British pottery was retrieved.

Trench 2

2.2.3 The earliest feature identified was gully [220]. It was orientated east-west, measured 0.63m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.12m. It contained grey-brown silty sand fill (221) from which no artefactual material was retrieved. Two postholes [216] and [218] were revealed within the gully, although due to the similarity in fills, their relationship with the gully remains unresolved.

2.2.4 Gully [220] was cut by gully [210], one of two a curvi-linear ditch identified within the trench. Gully [210] measured 0.35m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.2m. A terminus was revealed at the south-western limit of the ditch. It contained a grey-brown silty sand fill (211/215) from which one sherd of Romano-British pottery was retrieved.

2.2.5 Gully [212] was similarly orientated to [210]. It measured 0.32m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.12m. It contained a grey-brown silty sand fill (213) from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

2.2.6 The relationship between ditch [210] and similar orientated ditch [212] remains unresolved. However, both ditches were sealed by sandstone rubble (201), from which one sherd of third to fourth century pottery was retrieved.

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2.3 Medieval (Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10)

Trench 2

2.3.1 Ditch [202] was revealed at the northern limit of trench 2. It was orientated east-west, measured at least 2.8m in width, and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.8m. It contained an orange-brown silty sand primary fill (203), and a grey-brown silty sand secondary fill (204) from which three sherds of thirteenth to fourteenth century pottery and one residual sherd of Romano- British pottery were retrieved.

Trench 8

2.3.2 Within trench 8, two ditches, both orientated east-west, were revealed 4m from the south-western limit of the trench. Due to the similarity in fills, the relationship between the features remains unresolved. Ditch [803] measured 0.9m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.37m. It contained a grey-brown sandy clay fill (805) from which three sherds of mid twelfth to fourteenth century pottery were retrieved. Ditch [806] measured 0.5m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.14m. It contained a grey- brown sandy clay fill (807) from no artefactual material was retrieved. Both ditches were sealed by deposit (804), an alluvial clay containing one sherd of residual Romano-British pottery and three sherds of twelfth to fourteenth century pottery

Trench 12

2.3.3 Wall footing (1205) was revealed at the north-western extent of trench 12. The exterior face of the wall was represented by a single course of roughly dressed, unbonded sandstone. There was no evidence of a corresponding interior face, but a spread of irregular sandstone fragments (1206), which may represent a rubble infilling was recorded.

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2.3.4 Ditch [1201] was revealed 1.3m south of wall (1205). It was orientated north-east to south-west, measured 1.6m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.32m. It contained orange-brown silty sand fill (1202) from which 25 sherds of twelfth to thirteenth century pottery were retrieved.

2.3.5 Wall (1208) and ditch [1210] were revealed 7m from the south-eastern limit of trench 12. Wall (1208) was orientated north-east to south-west and consisted of an unbonded double skin of roughly dressed sandstone, with a stone and clay core (1212). It survived to a maximum depth of three courses. No artefactual material was retrieved from within the wall. A spread of irregular sandstone fragments (1209) abutted the wall to the south-east.

2.3.6 Ditch [1210] was revealed immediately to the north-west of the wall (1208). It respected the northern face of the wall, and was aligned along a similar north-east to south-west orientation. It measured 1m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.33m. It contained mid brown sandy fill (1211) from which one sherd of mid twelfth to fourteenth pottery was retrieved.

Trench 15

2.3.7 Within trench 15, a ditch, [1503], and the vestigial remains of a wall, (1501), were revealed 9m from the south-eastern limit of the trench. Ditch [1503] was orientated north-east to south-west, measured 0.84m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.4m. It contained a grey-brown silty clay fill (1502) from which one sherd of mid twelfth to fourteenth century pottery was retrieved. Wall (1501) was in a poor state of preservation, with little evidence of faced stone or coursing remaining. It was orientated east-west and survived to a maximum width of 0.65m. One sherd of mid twelfth to fourteenth century pottery was retrieved from the wall.

Trench 3

2.3.8 Within trench 3, terrace [302] was revealed cutting the natural substrate. The feature measured at least 4.5m in length, (the eastern extent had been

11 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

truncated by modern service trench [312]), and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.7m. The feature contained a fill of irregular sandstone rubble within a mid brown silty sand matrix (301), from which 9 sherds of mid twelfth to fourteenth century pottery were retrieved.

2.4 Post-medieval/modern

Trench 2

2.4.1 At the southern extent of trench 2, a sequence of dumping horizons were revealed. The deposits, (223), (225) and (226) consisted largely of roughly dressed and angular sandstone fragments within grey-brown silty sand. Three sherds of pottery dating from the seventeenth century onwards, a clay pipe stem and eight sherds of residual medieval wares, were retrieved from deposits (223) and (225).

Trenches 3, 4 and 6

2.4.2 A pathway constructed of small sandstone fragments was identified within trenches 3, 4 and 6

Trench 5

2.4.3 Within trench 5, at least six articulated cow burials were revealed within the alluvium filled channel of Ifton Bank Reen.

Trench 13

2.4.3 At the south-western limit of trench 13, a linear cut [1307] was revealed containing limestone aggregate and modern brick/tile (1308).

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2.5 Undated (Fig. 11 & 12)

Trench 1

2.5.1 At the south-eastern limit of trench 1, two linear features were revealed. Gullies [101] and [103] were orientated north-west to south-east, measured 0.9m in width and 0.65m respectively, and were fully excavated to a depth of 0.1m. They contained a blue-grey alluvial clay fill, (102) and (104) respectively, from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

2.5.2 Subrectangular feature [105] was revealed 3m from the north-western limit of trench 1. It measured 2m by at least 1.5m, and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.3m. It contained a blue-grey alluvial clay fill (106) from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

Trench 7

2.5.3 At the southern extent of trench 7, the south-western corner of a subterranean structure was revealed. Due to the close proximity of modern services and structures, the trench could not be sufficiently enlarged to enable the full extent of the structure to be revealed.

2.5.4 It was constructed using a single, internal vertical face of dressed sandstone (701), with consolidated rubble (703) to the exterior. The walls measured at least 2.5m in length, 0.8m in width and at least 1.25m in depth. They were bonded by a lime rich mortar. Within the structure the sandy clay fill (704) contained only modern artefacts. Fragments of a mortared sandstone corbelled sprung roof (702) were also evident bonded to the interior face of wall (701).

Trench 9

2.5.5 Ditch [903] was revealed 1.5m from the southern extent of trench 9. It was orientated north-west to south-east, measured 3.5m in width and was fully

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excavated to a depth of 0.7m. It contained a red-brown silty clay fill (904), from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

Trench 10

2.5.6 Two undated ditches were revealed within trench 10. Ditch [1009] was orientated east-west, measured 0.7m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.22m. It contained a red-brown silty clay fill (1010), from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

2.5.7 Ditch [1007] was orientated north-east to south-west, measured 2.6m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.7m. It contained red-brown silty clay fill (1008), from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

Trench 11

2.5.8 Ditch [1103] was revealed 7m from the northern limit of Trench 11. It was orientated north-east to south-west and measured 3.1m in width. The ditch was not excavated as it aligned with ditch [1007] in trench 10.

Trench 13

2.5.9 Within trench 13, ditches [1301] and [1305] were noted 9.5m and 6m respectively from the south-western limit of the trench. Ditch [1301] was orientated north-east to south-west, measured 1.2m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.48m. Ditch [1305] was similarly orientated, measured 0.7m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.4m. Both ditches contained a mid brown silty sand fill, (1302) and (1306) respectively, from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

Trench 14

2.5.10 At the western limit of the trench 14, an irregular shaped feature [1401] was revealed. It measured at least 1.6m in length, 2.9m in width and was fully

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excavated to a depth of 0.45m. It contained an orange–brown silty clay primary fill (1404), a discrete lens of burnt clay (1403), and a yellow-brown secondary fill. No artefactual material was retrieved from the feature.

Trench 16

2.5.11 Within trench 16 the natural sandy substrate sloped markedly from the north- west and was overlain by alluvial clay (1601) to a maximum thickness of 0.8m at the south-eastern limit of the trench. No evidence of a channel delineating the course of Ifton Bank Reen was revealed.

Trench 17

2.5.12 Two undated linear ditches were revealed at the south-western limit of trench 17. Ditch [1701] was orientated north-west to south-east, measured 1.2m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.25m. It contained red-brown silty sand fill (1702), from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

2.5.13 Ditch [1703] was orientated north-south, measured 0.9m in width and was fully excavated to a depth of 0.15m. It contained red-brown silty sand fill (1704), from which no artefactual material was retrieved.

3. ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS

3.1 Date and Interpretation of Archaeological Deposits

3.1.1 The evaluation results indicate that Romano-British, medieval, and post- medieval deposits survive throughout the proposed development area.

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Romano-British

3.1.2 Artefactual evidence retrieved from the Romano-British deposits encountered across the study area suggests activity is concentrated in the third and fourth century.

3.1.3 Within trench 10, the stone lined grave [1001] was aligned east to west, suggestive of a Christian rather than pagan burial, and therefore likely to be of late Roman origin. No further graves were identified within the general vicinity of the trench. Whilst isolated burials are not uncommon within the Romano-British period, the potential for further graves to be revealed within the proposed development area should be regarded as moderate to high.

3.1.4 Ditch [1005] was found to align with similarly sized ditch [1101] located in nearby trench 11. The east-west orientation of this ditch alignment in such close proximity to stone lined grave [1001] may suggest a boundary delineating a small Romano-British cemetery. However, the lack of further graves identified within this general area may negate such an interpretation, and the ditch alignment could also be interpreted as a field/land boundary, demarcating land divisions on the higher ground above the surrounding marsh/fen.

3.1.5 Ditches [1007/1103] and [903], although containing no datable artefactual material may potentially be of Romano-British origin. The large dimensions of both ditches is suggestive of a significant land boundary.

3.1.6 In trench 2 interpretation of ditch [220] and gullies [210] and [212] remains problematic. The ditches are located on low lying ground, and drainage along the fen edge may be a possible function, although the curvi-linear nature of the gullies in addition to the postholes suggests a more structural function for the features.

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Medieval

3.1.7 Artefactual evidence retrieved from the medieval deposits encountered across the study area suggests a concentration of activity within the mid twelfth to fourteenth centuries.

3.1.8 Ditch [202] was revealed at the northern limit of the trench 2, on the low lying ground close to Ifton Bank Reen. The perpendicular orientation of the ditch in relation to the reen suggests the ditch formed a medieval drainage channel within the marshland surrounding Ifton Manor. A similar interpretation may also be given to ditches [803] and [806] within trench 8.

3.1.9 Interpretation of the exact form and function of terrace [302] revealed within trench 3 remains problematic due to the limited confines of the evaluation trench and the disturbance from a modern pipeline. The terrace appears to follow the contours along the scarp face of the sandstone outcrop. Although no evidence of the terrace was evident to the east in trench 4, or to the south in trench 6, the projected alignment of the feature within these trenches lies in areas of severe modern disturbance.

3.1.10 Within trench 12, four features were identified as being of medieval origin. At the northern end of the trench, wall (1205) was revealed. The wall formed a rounded corner, constructed of roughly dressed, unbonded sandstone. Interpretation of the wall from the limited evidence available is problematic, although the wall may represent the south-western corner of an undetermined building. The poor quality of stone utilised in its construction would possibly suggest an agrarian rather than domestic usage for the structure.

3.1.11 Ditch [1201] immediately to the south of the wall may be interpreted as a medieval land boundary ditch.

3.1.12 Although no dating evidence was retrieved from wall (1208), its close relationship with ditch [1210] would suggest the two features are contemporary, and may be interpreted as a boundary within the medieval

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manorial complex. A similar interpretation may also be sought for wall (1501) and ditch [1503] within trench 15.

Post-medieval/modern

3.1.13 Post-medieval activity is limited to a dumping horizon of roughly dressed sandstone at the southern extent of trench 2. From the limited evidence retrieved from the deposits it remains unclear whether the stones can be associated with the demolition debris derived from the medieval manor or St James’ Church in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries receptively.

3.1.14 Modern activity is more prevalent across the proposed development area. The sandstone consolidation revealed at the western extent of trench 13, correlates with the alignment of the railway between Ifton quarry (NGR ST 45642 8819) and the main line south of the study area. During construction of the railway in the early twentieth century the course of Ifton Bank Reen was blocked. The articulated cow skeletons revealed within trench 5 were buried along the course of the redundant reen.

3.1.15 During the 1950’s, the area around the reputed site of St James’ Church was levelled prior to the construction of the existing bungalow. Evidence of mechanical box scrapping and associated levelling deposits were revealed within trenches 3, 4, 7 and 12.

Undated

3.1.16 The structure revealed within trench 7 is the only significant archaeological feature that remains undated. Interpretation of the original function of the structure remains problematic given the limited view afforded by the evaluation trenching. It therefore remains unresolved whether the structure is associated with the medieval manor/church, or whether it is post-medieval in origin. However, it is clear from the construction of the walls and corbelled

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roof that no associated above ground structure was built from the walls, and that the structure was solely subterranean in nature.

3.1.17 Within trench 1, ditch [103] and subrectangular feature [105] remain undated, although their respective alluvial fills suggest the features predate the blocking of Ifton Bank Reen in the early twentieth century. Ditch [1003] may be interpreted as a drainage ditch, however, interpretation of feature [105] remains problematic given the limited information retrieved during the evaluation.

3.2 Survival and Extent of Archaeological Deposits

3.2.1 The evaluation has established that archaeological deposits survive throughout the study area.

3.2.2 Romano-British activity is restricted to the eastern limit of the proposed development area. The survival of Romano-British land boundaries and the stone lined grave in the south-east of the application area suggests the high ground was utilised for settlement.

3.2.3 Medieval activity is concentrated around the central core of the study area, most notably on the high ground on the periphery of the modern farm complex and presumed location of the medieval manor and church.

3.2.4 Due to constraints imposed by access and modern services, it was not possible to evaluate the presumed medieval core of the manorial complex. Consequently, the survival and preservation of archaeological deposits within this area remains unknown.

3.2.5 The archaeological deposits within the proposed development area have all undergone a moderate degree of truncation. However, modern disturbance, most notably in the general vicinity of the existing bungalow, as well as service trenches, has severely truncated the archaeological deposits close to presumed location of the medieval church.

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4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Cotswold Archaeological Trust would like to thank Bovis Homes and Messrs Hill and Maylan (GGAT Curatorial Division) for their assistance during the course of this project.

The fieldwork was carried out by Cliff Bateman, Mark Brett, Laurie Coleman, David Kenyon, Julie Martin, Nick Turner, and Jo Williams. The report was written by Cliff Bateman and the illustrations drawn by Pete Moore.

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY

CAT 1997 Detailed Project Design: Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire, Archaeological Evaluation

GGAT (Curatorial Division) 1997 Brief for Archaeological Evaluation: Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet.

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Fig. 1 Location plan

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Fig. 2 Study area, showing location of trenches

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Fig. 3 Extract from 2nd edition ordnance survey map (1901)

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Fig.4 Trench 10, plan and sections

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Fig. 5 Trench 10, burial [1001]

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Fig. 6 Trench 2, plan and sections

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Fig. 7 Trench 8, plan and sections

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Fig. 8 Trench 12, plan and sections

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Fig. 9 Trench 15, plan and section

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Fig. 10 Trench 3, plan and section

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Fig. 11 Trench 7, plan

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Fig. 12 Trench 1, plan and sections

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APPENDIX 1

Trench Descriptions.

Note: Cut features are designated by square brackets thus; [000], all other deposits/layers are in round brackets; (111). Heights are based on the spot height at the junction of the B4245 and Ifton Lane immediately to the north-west of the study area. The height was taken to be 7.9m OD.

Trench 1

Natural substrate was encountered at a depth of 0.78m below the existing ground surface.

Deposit (004): Alluvial clay, extended over all of trench to depth of 0.26m.

Irregular gully/channel [101]: orientated NW-SE, measured 0.9m in width and 0.1m. Contains fine blue-grey alluvial clay fill (102). No finds.

Gully/channel [103]: orientated NW-SE, measured 0.65m in width and 0.13m in depth. Contains fine blue-grey alluvial clay fill (104). No finds.

Cut [105]: subrectangular feature, measured 2m by at least 1.5m, and 0.3m in depth. Contains fine blue-grey alluvial clay fill (106). No finds.

Trench 2

Natural substrate was encountered at a depth of 0.66m below the existing ground surface.

Ditch [220]: orientated E-W, measured 0.63m in width and 0.12m in depth. Contains grey-brown silty sand fill (221). No finds.

Posthole [216]: subcircular, 0.15m in diameter, 0.22m in depth. Contains grey-brown silty sand fill (217). No finds.

Posthole [218]: subcircular, 0.16 in diameter, 0.05m in depth. Contains grey-brown silty sand fill (219). No finds.

Ditch [210]: Curvi-linear, measured 0.35m in width and 0.2m in depth. Contains grey-brown silty sand fill (211=215). Finds:1 sherd Roman pottery.

Ditch [212]: Curvi-linear, measured 0.3m in width and 0.2m in depth. Contains grey-brown silty sand fill (213). No finds. Relationship with [210] undetermined.

Layer (201): Deposit of sandstone rubble within grey-brown silty sand matrix. Finds: 1 sherd 3rd to 4th century pottery.

33 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Ditch[202]: orientated E-W, measured at least 2.8m in width and 0.8m in depth. Contains primary fill (203) and secondary fill (204). Finds: 1 sherd Roman pottery, 3 sherds 13th to 14th century pottery, 2 fragments of tile..

Dumping horizons (223), (224) & (225): roughly dressed sandstone within grey-brown silty sand. Finds: 8 sherds 13th-14th century pottery, 3 sherds 17th+ century pottery, 3 fragments of animal bones, 1 fragment of clay pipe stem, 1 fragment slag.

Post-hole [205]: subcircular, 0.18m in diameter, 0.19m in depth. Contains possible post-pipe (207) and fill (206). No finds.

Trench 3

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.76m below the existing ground surface

Path/track (303): Measured at least 2.2m in width and 0.22m in depth, consists of small irregular limestone fragments. No finds. Equivalent to (401) and (601).

Cut [302]: measured at least 4.5m in length and 0.7m in depth. Contains coarse sandstone rubble within mid brown silty sand matrix (301). Finds: 9 sherds mid 12th-14th century pottery.

Cut [304]: large ?sub rectangular feature, at least 6.5m in width and 1.2m in depth. Contains multiple fills and tip lines. Finds: 19th and 20th century building and household debris. Equivalent to (402)

Modern service trench [311]: Equivalent to [603] and [1314]

Trench 4

Natural substrate was encountered at a depth of 0.79m below the existing ground surface

Path/track (401): Measured at least 2.2m in width and 0.22m in depth, consists of small irregular limestone fragments. No finds. Equivalent to (303) and (601).

Cut [402]: large ?sub rectangular feature, at least 6.5m in width and 1.2m in depth. Contains multiple fills and tip lines. Finds: 19th and 20th century building and household debris. Equivalent to (304)

Trench 5

Natural substrate was not encountered within this trench, only alluvial clays to a depth of 0.66m below existing ground level.

Numerous articulated and semi articulated cattle skeletons revealed throughout the alluvial clays.

Trench 6

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.33m below the existing ground surface.

Path/track (601): Measured at least 1.5m in width, consists of small irregular limestone fragments. No finds. Equivalent to (303) and (401).

Modern service trench [603]. Equivalent to [311] and [1314].

34 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 7

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.33m below the existing ground surface.

Wall (701): Sandstone wall bonded with sandy lime mortar. Exterior face of wall crudely constructed, only two courses evident, interior sandstone dressed and vertical face evident. Interior wall at least 1.1m in depth. Filled with modern debris (including asbetos) within fine soil (703). Structure originally had a mortared sandstone corbelled sprung roof (702).

Trench 8

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.33m below the existing ground surface.

Ditch [803]: orientated E-W, measured 0.9m in width and 0.37m in depth. Contains grey-brown sandy clay fill (805). Finds: 3 sherds mid 12th to 14th century pottery, 11 fragments of animal bones.

Ditch [806]: orientated E-W, measured 0.5m in width and 014m in depth. Contains grey-brown sandy clay fill (807). No finds.

Deposit (804): Alluvial clay, extends 11m from south-western extent of trench to a maximum depth of 0.32m. Finds: 1 sherd Roman pottery, 3 sherds mid 12th to 14th century pottery, 1 fragment of mortar.

Trench 9

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.86m below the existing ground surface.

Ditch [903]: orientated NW-SE, measured 3.5m in width and 0.7m in depth. Contains red-brown silty clay fill (904). No finds: .

Pit [901]: subovoid feature, 0.7m by 0.6m. Contains red-brown silty sand fill (902). Finds: 160 disarticulated animal bones.

Kerbstone (905): sandstone kerbing delineating path (906). No finds.

Trench 10

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.63m below the existing ground surface.

Grave cut [1001]: Subrectangular grave cut, orientated E-W, measured 1.8m in length and maximum of 0.55m in width. Lined with sandstone (1003), contains articulated but poorly preserved skeleton (1002) and grey-brown silty sand grave fill (1004}. Finds: 1 sherd Roman pottery.

Ditch [1005]: orientated E-W, measured 2.2m in width and 0.8m in depth. Contains red-brown silty clay fill (1006). Finds: 1 sherd Roman pottery. Equivalent to ditch [1101].

Ditch [1009]: orientated E-W, measured 0.7m in width and 0.22m in depth. Contains red-brown silty clay fill (1010). No finds.

Ditch [1007] orientated NE-SW, measured 2.6m in width and 0.7m in depth. Contains red-brown silty clay fill (1008). No finds. Equivalent to ditch [1103]

35 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Trench 11

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.52m below the existing ground surface.

Ditch [1101]: orientated E-W, measured at least 2.4m in width, not excavated. Contains red-brown silty sand fill (1102). No finds. Equivalent to ditch [1005].

Ditch [1103]: orientated ENE-WSW, measured 3.1m in width, not excavated. Contains red-brown silty sand fill (1104). No finds. Equivalent to ditch [1007]

Kerbstone (1105): sandstone kerbing delineating path/surface (1106/1107).

Levelling (1107): Angular sandstone forming levelling horizon for (1106).

Path/surface (1106): cinder surfacing , measured at least 5m in length and 1.6m in width, excavated to depth of 0.08m.

Trench 12

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.9m below the existing ground surface.

Wall (1205): exterior face of the wall was represented by a single course of roughly dressed, unbonded sandstone, no evidence of a corresponding interior face, but a spread of irregular sandstone fragments (1206). Finds: 1 sherd mid 12th-14th century pottery from within wall, 1 sherd 13th-14th century pottery and 1 sherd of 17-19th century pottery from rubble (1206).

Ditch [1201]: orientated NE-SW, measured 1.6m in width and 0.32m in depth. Contains orange-brown silty sand fill (1202). Finds: 28 sherds 12th-13th century pottery, 19 fragments of bone, 3 fragments of tile and 4 fragments of slag.

Wall (1208): orientated NE-SW, consists of an unbonded double skin of roughly dressed sandstone, with a stone and clay core. No finds.

Deposit (1209): a spread of irregular sandstone fragments abutted the wall (1208) to the south-east. No finds.

Ditch [1210]: respected the northern face of the wall (1208), and aligned along a similar NE-SW. It measured 1m in width and 0.33m in depth. Contains mid brown sandy fill (1211). Finds: 1 sherd mid 12th-14th century pottery, 1 fragment of animal bone.

Trench 13

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.65m below the existing ground surface.

Ditch [1301]: orientated approx NE-SW, measured 1.2m in width and 0.48m in depth. Contains mid to light brown silty sand fill (1302). No finds.

Ditch [1305]: orientated NE-SW, measured 0.7m in width and 0.4m in depth. Contains mid brown silty sand fill (1306). No finds.

Pit [1303]: subcircular, 0.84m in diameter. Contains mid-brown silty sand fill (1303).. No finds.

Cut for railway consolidation [1307]: orientated NW-SE, measured at least 5.3m in length. Contains limestone aggregate (1308). No finds.

36 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Layer (1309): mid brown silty clay . No finds.

Modern service trench [1314].

Cut [1310]: 11.6m in length , at least 1.6m in width. Contains primary fill (1311), secondary fill (1312) and bulk fill (1313).

Modern service trench [1314]: equivilant to [403] and [311]

Trench 14

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.65m below the existing ground surface.

Pit [1401]: irregular, ?subovoid , at least 1.6m in length and 2.9m in width, fully excavated to depth of 0.45m. Contains primary fill (1404), secondary fill (1403) and tertiary fill (1402). No finds.

Posthole [1405]: 0.55m in diameter. Contains burnt sandy fill (1406). No finds.

Trench 15

Natural substrate was encountered at a maximum depth of 0.62m below the existing ground surface.

Ditch [1503]: orientated NE-SW, measured 0.84m in width and fully excavated to depth of 0.4m. Contains grey-brown silty clay fill (1502). Finds: 1 sherd mid 12th –14th century pottery, 1 fragment of burnt bone, 1 fragment of tile.

Wall (1501): vestigial remains of ?field boundary, 0.7m in width and 0.3m in depth. Finds: 1 sherd mid 12th –14th century pottery.

Trench 16

Natural substrate was encountered between 0.25m and 1.15m below the existing ground surface.

Deposit (1601): fine blue-grey alluvial clay fill (1601). No finds.

Trench 17

Natural substrate was encountered 0.25m below the existing ground surface

Ditch [1701]: orientated NW-SE, measured 1.2m in width and 0.25m in depth. Contains red-brown sandy clay fill (1702). No finds.

Ditch [1703]: orientated N-S, measured 0.9m in width and 0.15m in depth. Contains grey-brown sandy clay fill (1704). No finds.

Modern service trench [1705].

37 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX 2

Pottery Assessment by Dr. J.R.Timby

Summary

A small assemblage of 74 sherds of pottery weighing 1660g, was recoverd, mainly dated to the medieval period, accompanied by a small number of pieces of Roman and post-medieval/modern origin. The material was recoverd from a total of 14 contexts, from six trenches (2,3,8,10,12,and 15).

In total eight sherds of Roman pottery are present, all in fairly abraded condition and undoubtedly redeposited. Diagnostic pieces include a sherd of Dorset black-burnished ware and micaceous grey ware, suggestive of a date within the later second to fourth century bracket.

Most of the sherds belonging to cooking pots and to a lesser extent dishes and jugs date to the medieval period. The sherds were moderately well preserved with sharp edges suggesting relatively in situ deposits. Provisionally the sherds suggest a date range from the mid twelfth to fourteenth century.

Catalogue

Context Weight (grams) Number Date 201 10 1 3rd-4th 201 7 1 Post-med 204 7 3 13th-14th 204 17 1 3rd-4th 211=215 4 1 Roman 223 128 8 13th-14th 223 57 3 17th+ 301 290 9 Mid 12th-14th 804 145 3 Mid 12th-14th 804 3 1 Roman 805 36 3 Mid 12th-14th 1004 3 1 Roman 1006 19 1 Roman 1202 600 25 12th-13th 1202 63 3 Mid 12th-13th 1205 10 1 Mid 12th-14th 1206 27 1 17th-19th 1206 7 1 13th-14th 1211 7 1 Mid 12th-14th 1501 32 1 Mid 12th-14th 1502 30 1 Mid 12th-14th

38 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX 3

Concordance of finds

IMR 97 Ifton Manor, Rogiet Context Pottery Animal Bone Building Material Other No Wgt No Wgt No Wgt Type U/s, Tr 1 6 499g U/s, Tr 2 2 131g 1 67g Imbrex 1 glass sherd; 1 Fe object 2 218g Tile 201 2 17g 1 8g 203 2 128g Tile 204 4 24g 11 307g 1 Fe object 213 1 slag frag (5g) 211=215 1 4g 223 11 185g 2 9g 1 slag frag (8g) 225 1 20g 1 clay pipe stem 301 9 290g 804 4 148g 4 36g 1 26g Mortar 805 3 36g 11 182g 902 160 1231g 1004 1 3g 1006 1 19g 1202 28 663g 19 116g 3 428g Tile 4 slag frags (32g) 1205 1 10g 1 4g 1 205g Stone 1206 5 44g 3 23g 1211 1 7g 1 50g 1501 1 32g 1502 1 30g 1 3g 1 40g Tile

39 Land at Ifton Manor, Rogiet, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Evaluation