117-119 Ivydale Road Nunhead London Borough of Southwark

Home , Nunhead

Archaeological Watching Brief

LAARC Site Code : IVD13

for Baxter Homes

CA Project: 660112 CA Report: 13084

April 2013

117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead London Borough of Southwark

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 660112 CA Report: 13084

prepared by Peter James, Project Supervisor

Date 27 March 2013

checked by Simon Carlyle, Project Manager

Date 15 April 2013

approved by Roland Smith, Regional Manager

signed

Date 24 April 2013

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. © Cotswold Archaeology

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 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS ...... 5

3. DISCUSSION ...... 7

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 7

5. REFERENCES ...... 7

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 9

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan, 1:25,000 Fig. 2 Plan of watching brief area, showing footprint of new building, 1:500 Fig. 3 General view of the site, looking north-west Fig. 4 Overburden and underlying deposits observed in foundation trench Fig. 5 Manhole and drain, looking south Fig. 6 View of cellar foundations, looking south

1 © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: 117-119 Ivydale Road Location: Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark NGR: TQ 35723 75599 Type: Watching brief Date: 13-26 February 2013 Site Code: IVD13

In February 2013, an archaeological watching brief was carried out by Cotswold Archaeology during the excavation of footings for a new residential development, being undertaken by Baxter Homes at 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark.

The main aim of the watching brief had been to identify evidence for the Roman road from London to Lewes, which is thought to follow the approximate line of Ivydale Road. It was established that the site had been extensively truncated by the cellars and foundations of five 19th-century houses that had occupied the site prior to their destruction by a V1 rocket in 1944. Remnants of the original land surface survived in the areas between the cellars and in the area of the former gardens, but there was no evidence for the Roman road, nor any other archaeological features.

Following the demolition of the bomb-damaged houses, the site was levelled and three pre- fabricated houses (‘pre-fabs’) were built on the site, erected on concrete ground slabs. The last of the three ‘pre-fabs’ had recently been demolished and the only remains associated with them was a small area of concrete hard-standing and drains on the street frontage.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In February 2013, an archaeological watching brief was carried out by Cotswold Archaeology during the excavation of footings for a new residential development, being undertaken by Baxter Homes at 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark (NGR: TQ 35723 75599; Fig. 1). The development comprised the demolition of a single-storey pre-fabricated building, that last of a group of three that had been built on the site of houses destroyed by a V1 rocket during WWII, and the construction of five two-storey terraced houses with gardens.

1.2 The watching brief was requested by Dr Christopher Constable, Southwark Borough Council’s Archaeological Advisor (SBCAA) and was attached as a condition to planning consent (planning ref. 12/AP/1921). The site had previously been the subject of a desk-based assessment prepared by L-P: Archaeology (LPA 2012), which was submitted in support of the planning application. This established that Roman cremation burials had been found in the general area and it was considered that there was a potential for archaeological remains, particularly those associated with the projected line of the Roman road from London to Lewes, to occur within the site.

1.3 The watching brief was carried out accordance with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) prepared by CA (2013) and followed best practice, as set out in the Institute for Archaeologists’ Standard and guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2008) and the English Heritage procedural documents Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (EH 1991) and Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site 1.4 The site, a roughly square block of land covering 0.07ha, is situated on the east side of Ivydale Road, in the suburb of Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark. Most of the houses in the road were built in the late 1880s and 1890s, when the suburb was developed, although a number of these were destroyed by a V1 rocket during WWII, to be replaced by more modern buildings. The houses that originally stood on the current site were amongst those that suffered extensive blast damage from the rocket’s explosion and had to be demolished. They were replaced by three single-

3 © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

storey pre-fabricated buildings (‘pre-fabs’), the last of which was recently demolished to make way for the new development. The site is situated on flat ground at c. 31m above Ordnance Datum (aOD) and backs on to the playing fields of Haberdasher Askes.

1.5 The geology comprises Cretaceous rocks of the London Clay Formation, comprising sandy and silty clay ( www.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex , accessed 28 January 2013), overlain locally by Quaternary Head deposits (LPA 2012).

Archaeological background 1.6 The site, which has been the subject of a desk-based assessment prepared by L-P: Archaeology (LPA 2012), partly lies within one of Southwark Borough Council’s archaeological priority zones (APZ), with the western half lying within the one that covers the projected route of the Roman road from London to Lewes, in Sussex.

1.7 The route of this road originated in Peckham, where it branched off and headed south from Watling Street, the Roman road running from London to Canterbury (preserved in the modern city by Old Kent Road). The road has been recorded archaeologically around Asylum Road, which lies some 1.5km north of the development site, and in Nash Road, c. 600m to the south-east. The projected line of this former thoroughfare runs along Ivydale Road as it passes the development site.

1.8 The Greater London Historic Environment Record (HER) records two archaeological findspots in the surrounding area. These comprise a Lower Palaeolithic Levallois flint flake found in Nunhead Cemetery, c. 600m to the west of the site, and the discovery in a garden ( c. 1735) of two Roman urned cremations, accompanied by a simpulum (a ladle to make libations in ritual or sacrificial ceremonies) and five to six lachrymatories (small vessels which contained perfumes or unguents).

1.9 Nunhead Cemetery, which lies to the west of Ivydale Road, was designed by James Bunstone Bunning for the London Cemetery Company and was opened in 1840. It covers c. 20ha and was landscaped with lawns, pathways and stands of trees. The cemetery was closed in 1969 and was neglected for many years, but in 1987 it was designated a London Site of Nature Conservation Importance and has since undergone extensive restoration and improvement.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

1.10 The cemetery is depicted on a map of the area dating to the 1850s and on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1878, at which date the area now occupied by Ivydale Road was undeveloped and was an open block of farmland between the cemetery and the railway. Ivydale Road is first depicted on the Ordnance Survey map of 1898 and forms part of the suburban development of the area in the closing decades of the 19th century.

Archaeological objectives 1.11 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;

• 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 1.12 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2013). Where archaeological deposits and features were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.13 There were no finds predating the modern period and there were no deposits suitable for environmental sampling. The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Milton Keynes and will be deposited with LAARC in the next six months (site code IVD13).

2. FIELDWORK RESULTS

2.1 The watching brief was carried out during the excavation of footings and service trenches for the new development, following the demolition of the last remaining ‘pre-fab’ and the removal of most of the concrete slab on which these buildings had been set (Fig. 3). A relatively consistent sequence of deposits was recorded across the site, with thick deposits of made-ground and demolition rubble from the 19th-

5 © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

century terraced houses that once occupied the site, until their destruction in WWII, overlying the truncated remnants of the original land surface. The remains of wall foundations and cellars belonging to these houses were recorded in the western and central parts of the site and the frontage was largely truncated by modern drains and manholes. To the rear of the plot, in the area that once formed the gardens of the houses, the topsoil remained in situ , beneath a layer of more recent demolition debris and redeposited soil. No evidence was encountered for the Roman road or any other archaeological remains.

2.2 The foundation trenches for the new houses were approximately 1.0m wide and excavated to a depth of approximately 1.6m below current ground level (bcgl). The geological substrate, 1006, which consisted of light yellowish-brown clay (London Clay), was encountered at an average depth of c. 0.75m bcgl.

2.3 In the western half of the site, bordering Ivydale Road, the original land surface had been truncated to a depth of up to 1.6m by the cellars and foundations of the former 19th-century terraced houses. The cellars measured approximately 4.2m long by 3.8m wide and were constructed from reddish-pink and yellow frogged bricks, stamped with the letters ‘BDBB’, bonded with mortar. Remnants of subsoil, 1005, comprising mid brown silty clay up to 0.12m thick, overlay the London Clay in the areas between the cellars (Fig. 4). The area along the street frontage had been truncated by two modern manholes and drains, laid at a depth of c. 1.2m (Fig. 5). Following demolition, the cellars had been backfilled with brick rubble and the site of the houses had been levelled with a mixed layer, approximately 0.52m thick, of loose, highly-fragmented reddish-brown brick rubble and dark greyish-brown clayey loam topsoil, 1004 (Fig. 6). This was sealed in turn by a layer of demolition debris, 1003, c. 0.15m thick, from the current site clearance.

2.4 In the eastern part of the site, in the area of the former gardens, the subsoil, 1005, was largely undisturbed and measured up to 0.25m thick. It was overlain by buried topsoil, 1010, consisting of dark greyish-brown sandy clay loam, up to . 0.18m thick. This layer, which had been extensively disturbed by previous stages of demolition work and ground remediation following the destruction of the houses during WWII, contained charcoal, tree roots, animal bone and modern glass and pottery. In places it was covered with the same layer of demolition debris as that recorded in the western and central parts of the site, 1003.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The main aim of the watching brief had been to identify evidence for the Roman London to Lewes road, which is thought to follow the approximate line of Ivydale Road (LPA 2012). Probing and excavation has established that the road extends southwards from Old Kent Road and passes along Asylum Road, St Marys Road, and Ivydale Road (Margary 1969). It continues on to Brockley, where it has been investigated in the vicinity of Nash Road and was recorded as being twenty feet wide, cambered and metalled with flints.

3.2 The watching brief found no evidence for the Roman road or any other archaeological features. The part of the site where the road was most likely to have been found, in the area closest to the modern road, had been extensively truncated by the walls and cellars of the 19th-century houses that once occupied the site and by modern drains and manholes. Despite this degree of truncation and disturbance, if the road had passed through this area, it is likely that its remains would have been substantial enough to have survived, at least in part, and to have been encountered in the footings for the new buildings.

3.3 The only notable features were the cellars and wall foundations of the 19th-century houses that were destroyed by a V1 rocket on 17 August 1944 (LPA 2012). The blast destroyed the sports pavilion in the park and thirty-seven houses in Ivydale Road, including the five that used to occupy the current site, were so severely damaged that they had to be demolished. Three people were killed by the explosion.

3.4 Following the demolition of the houses, the ground was levelled with building rubble and soil and concrete pads were constructed to provide bases for three ‘pre-fabs’, to provide replacement local housing following WWII. The last of the ‘pre-fabs’ was demolished shortly before the start of the watching brief and the only surviving evidence of their former presence was a small area of concrete slab.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

4.1 The fieldwork was undertaken and the report was written by Peter James, with illustrations prepared by Peter Moore. The archive has been compiled by Peter James and prepared for deposition by Derek Evans. The project was managed by Simon Carlyle.

5. REFERENCES

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief , unpublished document

LPA (L-P: Archaeology) 2012 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment, report LP1355L-DBA

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Context Type Description L W Depth Spot - no. (m) (m) (m) date 1001 Cellar Rectangular cut for coal cellar beneath former 4.2 3.8 1.6 C19 19th-century house. One of three observed during groundworks. 1002 Wall Cellar wall, constructed from frogged bricks - 0.22 1.6 C19 with a red slightly sandy fabric or yellow fabric, stamped ‘BDBB’ and measuring 0.22 x 0.10 x 0.07m. Up to 16 courses survive in situ , one brick thick, bonded with mortar. 1003 Demolition Mixed deposit of reddish-brown sandy clay and - - 0.08 C20 rubble brick rubble. 1004 Made- Mixed deposit of modern building rubble from - - 0.52 C20 ground former houses, mixed with soil and other debris. 1005 Subsoil Firm mid brown silty clay with occ. pebbles, - - 0.18 C19/20 largely truncated where exposed in footings. 1006 Geological Very firm light yellowish-brown clay (London - - - - substrate Clay). 1007 Concrete Layer of concrete, remains of base for ‘pre- - - 0.06 C20 fabs’. 1008 Manhole Brick-built manhole chamber. - - - C20 1009 Manhole Brick-built manhole chamber. - - - C20 1010 Topsoil Dark greyish-brown sandy clayey loam with - - 0.12 - frequent flecks of charcoal and roots.

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS Project name 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark

Short description The main aim of the watching brief had been to identify evidence for the Roman London to Lewes road, which is thought to follow the approximate line of Ivydale Road. It was established that the site had been extensively truncated by the cellars and foundations of five 19th-century houses that had occupied the site prior to their destruction by a V1 rocket in 1944. Remnants of the original land surface survived in the areas between the cellars and in the area of the former gardens, but there was no evidence for the Roman road, nor any other archaeological features. Following the demolition of the bomb-damaged houses, the site was levelled and three pre- fabricated houses (‘pre-fabs’) were built on the site, erected on concrete ground slabs. The last of the three ‘pre-fabs’ had recently been demolished and the only remains associated with them was a small area of concrete hard-standing and drains on the street frontage. Project dates 13-26 February 2013 Project type Watching brief Previous work DBA (LPA 2012) Future work None Monument type None Significant finds None PROJECT LOCATION Site location 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark

Study area c. 0.07ha Site co-ordinates TQ 35723 75599 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology (CA) Project Brief originator - Project Design (WSI) originator CA Project Manager Simon Carlyle (CA) Project Supervisor Peter James (CA) PROJECT ARCHIVE LAARC site code: IVD13 Content Physical CA stores None Paper Site records Digital Report, digital photos OASIS reference no. BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, London Borough of Southwark: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 13084

10 Site

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] City of London PROJECT TITLE 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, LB Southwark

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2006 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 660112 DATE 26-03-2013 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

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 3 General view of the site, looking north-west Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 4 Overburden and underlying deposits observed in 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, LB foundation trench A (scale 1m) Southwark FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 660112 DATE 26-03-2013 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 N/A 3 & 4 5

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 5 Manhole and drain, looking south (scale 1m) Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 6 View of cellar foundations, looking south (scale 1m) 117-119 Ivydale Road, Nunhead, LB Southwark

FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 660112 DATE 26-03-2013 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY DJB REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 N/A 5 & 6