Archaeological excavation of a small area of the Pavilion Gardens Buxton Summary Brian Shepherd asked us to look at the possibility of doing some geophysical research in Buxton. We were shown 3 possible areas and chose one of these in the eastern most part of the Pavilion Gardens. This was chosen because it provided a reasonably unobstructed area and we thought it wouldn’t have a tremendous amount of overburden. The survey was performed using both resistivity and magnetometry on a single day in July. We combined the survey with a “meet the archaeologists opportunity” which proved to be very successful. The report of the survey is included in the appendix to this proposal. The possibility of performing an archaeological excavation to “ground proof” the geophysics was then considered. It was made clear that any excavation would have to be completely contained in “people proof” fencing. The availability of such fencing meant that the area to be opened would have to be restricted to a maximum of 4 square metres. It was decided that even with this restriction it would be useful to perform the excavation. It was also decided that an exhibition would be set up and manned in the conservatory during the period of the dig. In addition our web site was to be maintained for the period of the dig with daily updates.

1. Introduction This area of the Pavilion Gardens is known to have been a bowling green which was in use in living memory (one of the visitors to the dig had used the bowling green in the past). In recent years it has been heavily disturbed on several occasions. It has clearly had a herring-bone pattern of drainage inserted. This shows up very clearly in the geophysics survey and also on aerial photographs of the area. In addition macerated sewage is piped under the area. This is also evident in the geophysical survey. The survey does suggest that there are other buried features which may not be totally disturbed by these incursions.

The work involved a small scale archaeological excavation aimed at discovering if there is any undisturbed archaeology in this area. In addition it should be possible to date disturbed material. 2. Location and The area is an approximately circular lawned area at the east end of the park.

The bedrock is of the Bowland Shale Formation. This is composed of mudstone, siltstone and sandstone. This sedimentary bedrock was formed approximately 313 to 335 million years ago in the Carboniferous Period. The local environment was previously dominated by open seas with pelagite deposits. These rocks were formed on a deep ocean floor beyond the influence of land. They often consist of fine material from microscopic pelagic organisms.

3. Aims and Objectives The area to be excavated was restricted to an area away from the obvious intrusions. The aim was to see if there is evidence of earlier use of the area. This may be disturbed but could still be of interest. Any dating evidence will be recorded and finds conserved where this is a requirement.

4. Methods The excavation, recording and conservation of finds was undertaken in compliance with the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) standards and guidance for ‘Archaeological Evaluation’. The turf was removed and stored separately on plastic sheets. The excavation was all to be done by hand, the spoil being stored close to the dig on plastic sheeting. The short duration of the dig ensured that there was no damage to the surrounding lawns and the cut turf was still good when we completed the dig. However it was decided by the groundsmen, that they would restore the grass after the ground had settled. Maps

Extract from Devonshire estate map c. 1720. Showing “Old Hall” and the survey area.

Extract from Tithe map of 1840. Area 29 contains the survey area. Area 147 is the “Old Hall”. 5. The area of investigation

The survey area (aligned with magnetic North).

The area chosen for investigation:

Area A: A 2 metre by 2 metre area which appears to show narrow parallel bands in the resistivity survey. 6. Excavation

6 days were scheduled for the dig and exhibition, in two blocks of 3 days, 31st July to 2nd August and 8th to 10th August 2015.

The area (A) for excavation was at (19, 22.5) to (21, 24.5) within the 30 metre square area of the survey. It was chosen because the resistivity survey shows narrow bands of different resistivity.

The turf was removed and stacked away from other spoil. It was soon clear than the turf was growing in a 16cms. deep layer of black ash (context [1]). Beneath this was a yellow coarse sand layer of variable thickness, which was interpreted as a levelling layer (context [2]). Within context [2] a small fragment of facetted glass was found which matches the “fairy lights” which used to be strung outside the pavilion buildings (we were shown almost complete examples which had been found in the grounds by the gardeners).

Beneath this were two distinct contexts. Context [4] was a line of limestone fragments which were the first indication of a field drain. Context [3] was a varied context, a black to brown carbon rich clay matrix with fragments of what appeared to be burnt domestic debris. Soon in context [3] area appeared discrete areas containing what looked like building rubble with stone, brick, roof tile, roofing slate and sandstone roofing slabs. It looked like individual barrow loads of waste from a house demolition or renovation had been dumped into the previously dumped carbon rich clay.

Context [2] being removed to show context [3] appearing. The lower levels of context [3] became consistently black-brown carbon rich clay without any finds. This layer had a distinctive smell. This context was up to 50 cms. deep. Running out of time we had to reduce the area of the dig, just concentrating on the northern half. We also had to use spades to get down to the bottom of this layer (we had previously used an auger to find out how deep this layer was).

Context [3] with field drain (context [4]) appearing in the south west corner. Context [5] shows the “Buxton Cement” Field drain, context [4] with smashed drainage pipes beneath limestone fragments Beneath context [3] was a brownish layer of tiny fragments of shale. The top 3 or 4 cms. of this context [6] was browner and had traces of loam. There were a few dateable pottery finds in this. Bottom of context [6] showing context [7] appearing.

Context [6] was 20 to 25 cms. thick. Beneath this was a grey clay context [7]. Both these deposits seem to be water-borne. In the north west corner of the dig a feature could be seem in the section. It consisted of a slot, approximately 30 cms wide (of unknown depth) it cut through the whole of context 6 and as far as could be seen continued for at least 40 cms. into context [7]. The slot was very loosely filled with large lumps of stone. 7. Conclusion

End of the dig after back filling

Context [6] had evidence of being open long enough to establish a turf layer. It is quite likely from the dating evidence that this was the surface shown in the tithe map circa 1840 as forming part of the garden of the “Old Hall”. It is clear that this was quite a wet area and the slot seen in the north baulk of the dig might be an early attempt to drain it. It is thought that this area was then raised about half a metre with the dumping of material. This material was mixed being mainly a strong smelling blackish carbon rich clay, perhaps from a gas works. Into this mixture while it was still sloppy, individual barrow loads of demolition rubble were dumped. When this layer had consolidated, shallow field drains were sunk into it. The surface was then levelled with coarse sand. On top of this a very firm layer of black ash was spread and the turf for a bowling green grown on top. Although the excavation was unsuccessful in finding anything of great archaeological interest, it was a really good exercise in bringing archaeology to the general public. Acknowledgements Our thanks to all at for their great help and encouragement. Also to the Friends of the Pavilion Gardens for their assistance. We must also thank the County archaeologist Mr. S Baker for granting us permission to do the dig. Our biggest thanks go to the two gardeners at the pavilion gardens G. Scott and I. Wright who couldn’t have been more helpful throughout our excavation. 8. The Exhibition in the conservatory

Maureen with one of the younger visitors. A display of finds from some of our digs proved very popular with the hundreds of visitors who stopped to talk with Dave and Maureen Thomas. Dave and Maureen manned the display each day fielding all sorts of questions from interested visitors. One of the Roman leather shoes from deep in a well proved to be very popular. 9. Finds

9.1. Context (B)PG15 [1]

The finds are fairly mixed in date from about 1830 to the present day. There were no large fragments of pottery. No.of Description Weight in fragments grms 20 Iron, Assorted nails and pieces of wire. 275 112 Wall tile 500 22 Floor and roof tile 200 61 Glass (Window glass (1), other (60)) 300 5 Wall plaster 20 1 Marble (wall) 8 1 Pipe stem (fragment with rolled decoration) 1 12 Plastic 15 1 Slate 2 2 Cardboard 1 1 Mirror - 1 Field drain pipe (impressed with “sun”) 5 7 Pottery (Victorian period) 25 1 Pottery pearlware (c. 1830) -

9.2. Context (B)PG15 [2] The finds from this context consistently date from c. 1830 to 1900. Mainly pottery, but one interesting find is the fragment of facetted glass (see photograph below) which we believe is a small part of one of the fairy lights which were strung in front of the pavilion buildings (the gardeners showed us two almost complete examples). No.of Description Weight in fragments grms 1 Pottery, Blue painted ware (c. 1770-1830) - 1 Pottery, Mottled ware rim (c. mid 1800s) - 1 Pottery, Stoneware jam pot (c. 1900) - 2 Pottery, Creamware - 1 Pottery, Nottingham ware, salt glazed stoneware (1770 - 1830) - 9 Pottery, badly burnt from fire (unidentifiable) 25 3 Glass, (c. 1900) (see fairy light) 5 3 Clinker/slag 75 4 Slack and Coal 25 1 Iron, nail -

9.3 Context (B)PG15 [3] This context has finds of mixed dates from c. 1740 to 1900. The context is also mixed and includes material which may come from a house demolition or modification.

No.of Description Weight in fragments grms 37 Glass (Includes 1 piece melted glass, cullet) 250 8 Roof tile 650 5 Wall tile, (Victorian) 180 2 Floor tile 160 1 Stone (sandstone) roof slab with nail hole 170 1 Roofing Slate 100 1 Wall tile, brown (Victorian) 50 2 Brick 75 17 Slag 570 6 Wood (including plank) 75 6 Clinker 50 1 Coal 25 3 Wall Plaster 3 8 Pipe stem, bowl (1) 10 1 Plastic fork - 2 Wire and battery contact - 12 Pottery, Decorative (Victorian) 25 8 Pottery, Creamware decorated (c. 1830) 20 3 Pottery, Pearlware (c. 1830) - 1 Pottery, Salt glazed stoneware jam pot (c. 1900) 2 1 Pottery, Black glazed ware (pancheon) (c. 1830) 5 1 Pottery, Salt glazed water pipe 20 3 Pottery, Salt glazed stone ware(1 Nottigham ware rouletted) 10 15 Pottery, (Victorian miscellaneous) 25 1 Pottery, Salt glazed (c. 1740) - 1 Wall tile 8

9.4. Context (B)PG15 [4] No finds in this context, just the shattered field drain and cut filling limestone fragments. 9.5. Context (B)PG15 [5] This context is similar to context [3] in that it appears to be an area of dump held in a similar matrix. This adds to the suggestion that individual barrow loads of material were dumped into a highly carboniferous clay.

No.of Description Weight in fragments grms 3 Glass, window glass (1 fragment moulded) (c. 20th C) - 1 Glass, green vessel glass (c. late 18th C) - 1 Glass, green vessel glass (c. 19th C) - 1 Oyster Shell - 2 Iron, nails - 4 tile - 3 Roof tile - 1 Brick (c mid 19th C) - 1 Mortar - 5 Stone (sandstone) roof tile - 6 Slate, roofing - 1 Pottery, pearlware (fragment teapot lid) (c. 1790 – 1830) - 3 Pottery, Blue painted creamware (c. 1830) - 1 Pottery, Salt glazed stoneware (c. 1830-1850) - 6 Pottery, (victorian sink green decorated) - 2 Pottery, flower pot fragments - 9.6. Context (B)PG15 [6]

This context has only finds dated c. 1840-50. No.of Description Weight in fragments grms 1 Vessel glass, green - 1 Bottle glass base, green/blue - 2 Bone vertebra (small dog?) (Mid 19th C) - 4 Pottery, undecorated creamware (Mid 19th C). - (1 fragment of rolled rim vessel) 1 Pottery, oriental blue painted base, showing mount Fuji(?). - (Mid 19th C) 1 Pottery, pancheon. (Mid 19th C) -

9.7. Context (B)PG15 [7]

This context had very limited finds probably dating to c. 1830.

No.of Description Weight in fragments grms 2 Pottery, creamware plate rim. (c. 1830) - 2 Pipe stem - 10. Context Sheets

APPENDIX Geophysics Survey at Buxton Pavilion Gardens, by the Stoke-on-Trent Museum Archaeology Society, 26th July 2014

The resistivity survey in progress. Visitors viewing the finds from the society’s Roman dig.

Processing the magnetometry results. The survey was originally to be performed in Autumn 2013; unfortunately the intended area was flooded at that time. We were more fortunate this year with an ideal summer’s day after a dry period leaving the ground in perfect condition for a resistivity survey.

An aerial photograph was studied, which suggested the south eastern portion of the area under consideration may be the most interesting. It was decided that a 30 metre square could be surveyed with both magnetometry and resistivity in the time available. At the same time we would display finds from our Roman dig near Rocester. The chosen 30 metre square area has to be aligned closely to magnetic north for the use of the magnetometer. The exact location of the survey is indicated in the illustration below. 1. Aerial photographs

Aerial photographs from 1999 to 2013 were studied. One of the aerial photographs shows the modern drainage as parched areas in a herring-bone pattern. It also shows some more interesting features.

Diagrammatic representation of the aerial photograph, highlighting the parchmarks 2. Resistivity results

The resistivity survey correlates well with the parch marks which represent the herring-bone drainage.

A slightly different interpretation of the resistivity data still shows the herring-bone drainage. However, this version also shows the sewage drain clearly and emphasises other anomalies. The dark blue lines reflect the herring-bone drainage and the pipe which takes the treated sewage below the area. The extra blue fields on the right diagram show what might be a ditch.

Resistivity overlaid on the parchmarks to show the correlation. 3. Magnetometry Results

The magnetometry results are less clearly defined than the resistivity results. Only one line of the herring-bone drainage can be made out easily. However if the results from the resistivity is superimposed over the magnetometry correlation can be discerned. Light green highlights one channel of the herring-bone drain. The dark green might indicate an earlier pathway. 4. Conclusions

The area (as we knew) has been badly affected by drainage and other interventions. However, there are clear areas of interest indicated by the aerial photographs and the resistivity. In particular the aerial photograph shows a complex area corresponding to an area near the north west corner of the survey area. This looks like a rectangular feature, possibly the foundations of a building. The resistivity survey shows an area which may correspond to a wide ditch with a corner. The resistivity survey shows some thin linear anomalies in the north east corner of the survey. Some of the more definite areas would need to be excavated to see how truly the resistivity relates to the archaeology this is a form of “ground proving”.