Rock Farm Llandenny Usk Monmouthshire

ROCK FARM LLANDENNY USK

MONMOUTHSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF

For

MR AND MRS S. CASTLING

CA PROJECT: 2617 CA REPORT: 08142

MARCH 2009

ROCK FARM LLANDENNY, USK MONMOUTHSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF

CA PROJECT: 2617 CA REPORT: 08142

prepared by Steven Sheldon, Project Supervisor

date 23 March 2009

checked by Richard Young, Project Manager

date 25 March 2009

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 26 March 2009

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.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) ...... 5

3. DISCUSSION...... 5

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 5

5. REFERENCES ...... 6

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 7

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS…………………………………………………………………….11

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 92

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks (1:1000)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Rock Farm Location: Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire NGR: SO 03850 41100 Type: Watching Brief Date: 14 July 2008 Planning Reference: M/10558 Location of Archive: To be deposited with the RCAHMW Site Code: RFC 08

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the conversion of cowsheds into residential units at Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire.

The watching brief identified a single posthole of 17th to 18th-century date. No further features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefacts pre-dating the modern period were recovered.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In July 2008 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for Mr and Mrs S. Castling at Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire (centred on NGR: SO 03850 41100; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for the conversion of cowsheds into residential units (Planning ref: M/10558). The planning consent also covers the conversion of adjacent barns. This work has yet to be undertaken. The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2008) and approved by Mr Neil Maylan Archaeological Planning Manager, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (2001) and the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991).

The site

1.3 The site comprises the barn and associated outbuildings of Rock Farm. The farm is located on the western edge of Llandenny, slightly apart from the rest of the village (Fig. 2). The site lies on the 40m contour on land rising gently from the Olway Brook, a minor tributary of Usk, which it meets 2.5 km away, at Usk itself (Fig. 1). The farm site and the fields immediately around it are almost level, in an otherwise hilly district.

1.4 The underlying geology of the area is mapped as Estuarine Alluvium of the Pleistocene and Recent periods (BGS 1974). This was not encountered during the course of this project due to the relatively shallow nature of the works.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Archaeological background

1.5 The Grade II Listed barn and Cowsheds for conversion form part of a traditional farm group associated with the Rock Farmhouse. The buildings are described in the listing information as of probable 18th-century date, with attached low ranges of probable late 18th century or early 19th-century date, as well as later 19th-century additions. The stables comprise a lofted stable range with cartshed attached to the southern end, and are of probable early to mid 19th-century date. The buildings are all described as being of rubble stone construction. A building recording survey (CA 2009) undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in June 2008 has supported these general conclusions and has added much detail to the structural history of the group. It cast light on the changes in economic use of the building in the 20th century. In particular, it became clear that the range was multi-period and had grown organically in response to changing needs. Slight indications of an earlier layout were noted.

1.6 The origins and original layout of the settlement at Llandenny are unknown, but it has been suggested that Rock Farm was one of the original settlement areas. It is defined as a historic core area in Monmouthshire Historic Settlements: An Archaeological Survey written by Martin Locock on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council (N Maylan pers. comm.).

Methodology

1.7 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2008). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the removal of the existing brick floor of Cowsheds 1 and 2 (Fig. 2).

1.8 Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.9 The archive and finds from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner these will be deposited with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW). A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)

2.1 Ground reduction works in Cowshed 1 revealed a single, homogenous, make-up layer 101 comprising a sandy clay with moderate limestone rubble inclusions. This was sealed by the existing red brick surface 100.

2.2 Ground reduction works in Cowshed 2 revealed a single, homogenous, make-up layer 201 comprising a sandy clay with moderate limestone rubble inclusions. This was cut by modern posthole 203 which was filled by limestone rubble 202. Both deposits were sealed by the existing red brick surface 200.

2.3 No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no artefacts pre-dating the modern period were recovered.

Finds 2.4 Pottery, ceramic building material, vessel glass and metalwork were recovered from layer 101 and posthole fill 202 (Appendix B).

2.5 The finds recovered from layer 101 comprised modern pantile, translucent green vessel glass and an iron chain ring. All are modern in date and have not been retained.

2.6 Pottery was only present in posthole fill 202 and consists of four sherds (26g) of a yellow slipware dish, characteristic of late 17th to 18th century dating.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The watching brief identified a single posthole of 17th to 18th-century date. No further archaeological remains were identified in the areas of observed groundworks due to the limited depth and extent of these works.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Cherylynne Hyde. The report was written by Steven Sheldon. The illustrations were prepared by Jemma Elliot. The archive has been

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

compiled by Cherylynne Hyde and prepared for deposition by Kathryn Price. The project was managed for CA by Richard Young.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 1974 Monmouth, Sheet 233, Scale 1:50,000

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Building Recording, CA Typescript Report 08133

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

AREA 1

No. Type Description Length Width Depth (m) (m) (m) 100 Layer Red brick floor of Cowshed 1 9.1m 4.3m 0.06m 101 Layer Reddish brown sandy clay make-up layer, below 9.1 4.3m >0.28m 100

AREA 2

No. Type Description Length Width Depth (m) (m) (m) 200 Layer Red brick floor of Cowshed 1 9.4m 4m 0.06m 201 Layer Reddish brown sandy clay make-up layer, below 9.4m 4m >0.28m 200 202 Fill Limestone and concrete rubble backfill of 203, not N/A 0.68m N/A excavated 203 Cut Square post hole relating to existing cattle pens N/A 0.68m N/A

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Concordance Context Artefact type Count Weight (g) Spot-date 101 Ceramic building material: roof tile* 2 204 MOD Modern vessel glass* 1 16 Iron ring* 1 54 202 Post-medieval pottery: yellow slipware 4 26 C17-C18 *not retained.

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire

Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by (250 words maximum) Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the conversion of two barns and Cowsheds into residential units with car ports at Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire.

Project dates 14 July 2008 Project type Watching Brief

Previous work Building Recording (CA 2008a)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire Study area (M2/ha) 155m² Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 03830 41100 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Richard Young Project Supervisor Cherylynne Hyde PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of Content archive Physical RCAHMW N/A Paper RCAHMW Context sheets, location plan, photographic registers, colour and black and white photographs Digital RCAHMW Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Near Usk, Monmouthshire, Archaeological Watching Brief. CA Report No. 08142

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Near Usk, Monmouthshire, Building Recording. CA Report No. 08133

9 Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109

site

0 2.5km

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

PROJECT TITLE Monmouthshire Rock Farn, Llandenny, Usk Monmouthshire FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. JE 1:25,000@A4 2617 1 35.7m

Reproduced from the 2007 Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission 039 of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 038038

BM 36.10m 32.6m

412412 Oakfield

Path (um) farmhouse

cowshed 2 Ty G 1279 411 cowshed 1

granary

stable Rock Farm barn

SO 0 100m

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

PROJECT TITLE Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk Area of groundworks Monmouthshire FIGURE TITLE The site, showing location of groundworks DRAWN BYSCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. JE 1:1000@A4 2617 2

(um) ath