The Roman Road Project
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The Roman Road Project Excavation and Geophysical Survey of Linear Features at Sheep Hill Farm, Sheffield, South Yorkshire Report and Illustrations prepared by: D. H. Inglis January 2016 Academic Supervisor: C. Merrony Department of Archaeology University of Sheffield Northgate House West Street Sheffield S1 4ET 1 With special thanks to the Hancock family 2 Table of Contents List of Appendices ………………………………………………………………………………..… 4 List of Figures and Illustrations …………………………………………………………….……… 5 Summary ………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 6 1. Project Background ………………………………………………………………………….… 7 1.1. Location …………………………………………………………...……….………………. 7 1.2. Land Use ………………………………………………………………….…..…………… 7 1.3. Topography and Geology ……………………………………………….……………….. 7 1.4. Aims and Objectives …………………………………………………….…………….….. 7 1.5. Method Statement ……………………………………………………….……………..…. 7 1.6. Dates …………………………………………………………….………..….…………….. 8 1.7. Personnel …………………………………………………………………....…………….. 8 1.8. Health and Safety ………………………………………………………….……………... 8 1.9. Archive ………………………………………………………….…………..……………… 8 2. Documentary Background …………………………………………………………………….... 8 3. Archaeological Background ……………………………………………….………………..…. 9 4. Methodology ……………………………………………………………………………….…… 10 4.1. Trench Location Rationale ………………………………………………………….….. 10 4.2. Excavation ………………….…………………………………………………………….. 10 4.3. Geophysical Survey ………………………………………………………………….….. 10 4.4. Reporting ……………………………………………………………………………….… 11 5. Results ……………………..……………………………………………………………………. 11 5.1. Trench 1 ……………………………………………………………………….…………. 11 5.2. Trench 2 ……..………………………………………………………………..………….. 13 5.3. Trench 3 ……………………………………………………………………………..…… 14 5.4. Geophysical Survey …………………………………………………………………...… 14 6. Interpretation and Discussion …….……………………………………………………...…… 15 7. Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………….…….. 17 Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………...… 18 3 List of Appendices Appendix 1: Context List, Types and Description ……………………………………………... 21 Appendix 2: Figures …………...………………………………………………………………….. 23 Appendix 3: Illustrations …………………………………………………………………..……… 27 Appendix 4: Plates ……………………………………………………………………………..…. 29 Appendix 5: Geophysical Survey Data (smoothed) …...……………………………….……… 43 4 List of Figures, Illustrations and Plates Frontispiece: West facing photograph of linear feature at Sheep Hill Farm ……………..…… 1 Figure 1: Location of Sheep Hill Farm and proposed Roman Routes through Sheffield ..… 23 Figure 2: Observed linear feature, study and excavation area …..………………...………… 24 Figure 3: Extent of excavation within previous geophysical survey results ……………........ 25 Figure 4: Geophysical survey results …………………………………………………………… 26 Illustration 1: Trench 1 eastern section drawing 1:25 …………………………………………. 27 Illustration 2: Trench 1 plan 1:25 ………………………………………………………………… 27 Illustration 3: Trench 2 eastern section drawing 1:10 ……………………………………….… 28 Illustration 4: Trench 2 plan 1:10 ………………………………………………………………… 28 Plate 1: Contexts 1001, 1004 & 1009 …………………………………………………………… 29 Plate 2: Context 1001 ……………………………………………………………..……………… 30 Plate 3: Context 1001 ……………………………………………………………..……………… 30 Plate 4: Context 1003 …………………………………………………………………………..… 31 Plate 5: Context 3002 ………………………………………………………………………….…. 31 Plate 6: Contexts 1003 & 1013 …………………………………………………………..……… 32 Plate 7: Contexts 1007 & 1008 ………………………………………………………………….. 33 Plate 8: Contexts 1007 & 1014 ………………………………………………………………….. 34 Plate 9: Context 1008 …………………………………………………………………………….. 34 Plate 10: Context 1010 …………………………………………………………………………… 35 Plate 11: Contexts 1008, 1012 & 1020 ………………………………………………….……… 36 Plate 12: Contexts 1008 & 1017 ………………………………………………………………… 37 Plate 13: Contexts 1018 & 1019 ……………………………………………………………...…. 38 Plate 14: Contexts 2002, 2003 & 2004 …………………………………………………….…… 39 Plate 15: Context 2003 …………………………………………………………………………… 40 Plate 16: Context 2003 …………………………………………………………………………… 40 Plate 17: Context 2003 …………………………………………………………………………… 41 Plate 18: East facing view towards Sheffield on alignment of feature …………………….… 41 Plate 19: South-east facing view of feature in scrubland at Barberfields Farm …………….. 42 5 Summary Project This document represents a report on the archaeological evaluation of linear features located in the fields west of Sheep Hill Farm, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. This work was undertaken as part of the Roman Road Project which represents a wider study seeking to better understand communication links between the Roman forts at Templeborough, Rotherham, South Yorkshire and Brough-on-Noe, Hope Valley, Derbyshire. Archaeological excavation and geophysical survey was conducted by the University of Sheffield and the Time Travellers Archaeology Group. Results The excavation identified features relating to a Roman road in the form of a monumental ditch and constructed surface. The constructed surface appeared much wider than the Roman roads suggested by previous authors and would have made a significant statement within the surrounding landscape. Further geophysical survey was conducted within the field where excavation occurred to determine the full extent of the feature and located a possible second ditch south of the excavated feature. Recommendations A further programme of geophysical survey is recommended to determine the full extent of the Roman Road and associated features within the fields to the west of Sheep Hill Farm. 6 1. Project Background 1.1 Location Figures 1 and 2 and Frontispiece The area of study is situated in a field directly to the west of Sheep Hill Farm, Sheephill Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire and is centred on NGR SK29053 83103. The linear features can be viewed running approximately 500m north-east to south-west across four fields at Sheep Hill Farm between the modern Sheephill Road and the former turnpike Houndkirk Road. The features can also be noted east of Sheephill Road in fields belonging to the neighbouring Barberfields Farm and extends west of Houndkirk Road across Houndkirk Moor. 1.2 Land Use The study area resides upon pasture (horses and sheep) belonging to Sheep Hill Farm which is owned by the Hancock family who granted permission for this excavation. Sheep Hill Farm sits within the Peak District National Park boundary. 1.3 Topography and Geology The feature runs diagonally across the natural slope from a high point of approximately 370m in the west at Houndkirk Road to 330m in the east at Sheephill Road and the area selected for excavation has a mean elevation of approximately 350m. The underlying geology consists of Chatsworth Grit and sandstone (BGS, 2016). Dry stone boundaries and modern fencing sit atop the feature which is also disturbed by later quarrying at its western extent where it meets Houndkirk Road (Ordnance Survey, 2015). 1.4 Project Aims and Objective Targeted excavation at Sheep Hill Farm was conducted as part of an undergraduate dissertation project researching the route of the Roman road between Navio (Brough-on- Noe) and Templeborough, Rotherham (Inglis, 2015). The objective of the study at Sheep Hill Farm was to determine the extent and degree of preservation of the linear feature located on walkover and geophysical survey (Inglis, 2015) and to establish if the feature related to the Roman route proposed by Welsh (1984). 1.5 Method Statement Excavation was undertaken in line with the research proposal The Roman Road Project (Inglis, 2015) for course module AAP3000: Dissertation in Archaeology (Ayala, 2015). 7 1.6 Dates Excavation and geophysical survey were undertaken between Friday December 4th and Friday December 11th 2015. Due to the evidence encountered and with the permission of the Hancock family the excavation ran four days longer than originally anticipated. It must also be noted that the first weekend of excavation occurred during Storm Desmond. 1.7 Personnel Excavation and geophysical survey was undertaken by the Time Travellers Archaeology Group and directed by David Inglis (University of Sheffield). Mike Haken of the Roman Road Research Association and members of Arteamus were also in attendance. This report and illustrations were prepared by David Inglis. 1.8: Health and Safety All archaeological fieldwork undertaken was in accordance with current health and safety legislation and industry regulations; adhered to the University of Sheffield’s safety policies and procedures and additionally complied with the by-laws and regulations on health and safety stipulated within CIfA’s Code of Conduct and Standard and Guidance (2015). A copy of the health and safety policy and procedures document for The Roman Road Project is held by the University of Sheffield (Inglis, 2015). 1.9: Archive A fully illustrated Level 3 report will be submitted to Colin Merrony, University of Sheffield before final deposition with South Yorkshire SMR, Derbyshire HER, Peak District National Park Authority and the National Trust. 2.0 Documentary Background The historical context of Roman routes through Sheffield will be summarised in the final dissertation for the Roman Road Project and is also discussed in detail in Clayton’s previous work (2005). In summary, nearly 150 years of archaeological tradition - proposed by Leader (1878), established by Preston (1957) and legitimised by Margary (1973) - has supported a northern route between the forts of Templeborough and Navio (Brough-on-Noe). Little and somewhat dubious evidence is presented for this route which is based on straight lines, medieval boundaries, place names, elite artefacts and two excavations within Sheffield’s modern