Big60million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

BIG60MILLION

LAND AT NANHORON ESTATE, BOTWNNOG, GWYNEDD

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION REPORT

June 2016 Wardell Armstrong Archaeology Cocklakes Yard, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 0BQ, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1228 564820 Fax: +44(0)1228 560025 www.wa-archaeology.com

DATE ISSUED: June 2016 JOB NUMBER: CP11752 SITE CODE: NEG-A PLANNING APPLICATION REF: C15/0793/32/LL REPORT VERSION NUMBER: 001 Version 0.1

Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd

Archaeological Evaluation

PREPARED BY: EDITED BY: APPROVED BY: Mike McElligott Martin Railton Richard Newman

Project Officer Senior Project Manager Post-Excavation Manager

This report has been prepared by Wardell Armstrong Archaeology with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, within the terms of the Contract with the Client. The report is confidential to the Client and Wardell Armstrong Archaeology accepts no responsibility of whatever nature to third parties to whom this report may be made known.

No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written approval of Wardell Armstrong Archaeology.

DESK BASED ASSESSMENTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION Wardell Armstrong Archaeology is the trading name of Wardell Armstrong LLP, Registered in England No. OC307138. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY Registered office: Sir Henry Doulton House, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5BD, United Kingdom TOPOGRAPHIC AND LANDSCAPE SURVEY HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING UK Offices: Stoke-on-Trent, Cardiff, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, London, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Taunton, Truro, West Bromwich. International Offices: Almaty, Moscow EIA AND HERITAGE CONSULTANCY Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

CONTENTS

CONTENTS...... 1 SUMMARY...... 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... 4 1. INTRODUCTION...... 5 1.1 Project Circumstances and Planning Background...... 5 1.2 Project Documentation ...... 5 2. METHODOLOGY ...... 6 2.1 Standards and guidance...... 6 2.3 The Field Evaluation ...... 6 3. BACKGROUND...... 8 3.1 Location and Geological Context ...... 8 3.2 Previous Archaeological Work ...... 8 3.3 Historical and Archaeological Background...... 8 4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION RESULTS ...... 10 4.1 Introduction...... 10 4.2 Results ...... 10 5. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSES ...... 13 5.1 Introduction...... 13 5.2 Archaeobotanical Assessment ...... 14 5.3 Discussion of the Remains...... 14 5.4 Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 15 6. CONCLUSIONS...... 17 6.1 Interpretation...... 17 6.2 Significance...... 17 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 17 APPENDIX 1: TRENCH DESCRIPTIONS ...... 19 APPENDIX 2: PLATES ...... 22 APPENDIX 3: FIGURES ...... 29

CP11752 Page 1 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

PLATES (APPENDIX 2) Plate 1; Trench 1, looking northeast (1m scale) Plate 2; Ditch [103], looking north (0.4m scale) Plate 3; Pit [105], looking south (0.4m scale) Plate 4; Curvilinear ditch [107], looking northeast (1m scale) Plate 5; Curvilinear ditch [107], looking southwest (1m scale) Plate 6; Curvilinear ditch [107], looking southeast (1m scale) Plate 7; Trench 2, looking south-southwest (1m scale) Plate 8; Gully [203], looking west (1m scale) Plate 9; Trench 3, looking north-northeast (1m scale) Plate 10; Trench 4, looking west (1m scale) Plate 11; Trench 4, showing (402), looking north (1m scale) Plate 12; Trench 5, looking west-southwest (1m scale) Plate 13; Ditch [502], looking northwest (0.4m scale) Plate 14; Trench 6, looking northeast (1m scale)

FIGURES (APPENDIX 3) Figure 1: Site Location Figure 2: Trench Location Plan showing results of the geophysical survey Figure 3: Trench 1; plan and section Figure 4: Trench 2; plan and sections Figure 5: Trench 5; plan and section

CP11752 Page 2 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

SUMMARY

Wardell Armstrong Archaeology (WAA) was commissioned by Big60Million, to undertake an archaeological evaluation by trial trenching on land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd, LL53 8DP (NGR: SH 2694 3062). The evaluation was required prior to the determination of the planning permission. The evaluation was undertaken in accordance with a written scheme of investigation (WSI), which was produced in response to advice given by Jenny Emmett, Planning Archaeologist, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust acting as the archaeological planning advisor on behalf of Gwynedd Council.

Archaeological remains were concentrated in the northwest part of the site and comprised a curvilinear feature of possible prehistoric date, a linear feature and a pit. Further activity was represented by ditches, which may have been former field boundaries. These could be post- medieval and could match the boundaries on the First edition Ordnance Survey County Series map of 1889.

CP11752 Page 3 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Wardell Armstrong Archaeology (WAA) thanks Big60Million for commissioning the project, and for all their assistance throughout the work. WAA also thank Jenny Emmett, Planning Archaeologist, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust for her assistance.

Wardell Armstrong Archaeology also thanks Wyn Thomas of Thomas Plant Hire, for his help during this project.

The evaluation was supervised by Mike McElligott who also wrote the report, assisted on site by Mark Lawson. Figures were produced by Helen Phillips. Palaeoenvironmental assessment was undertaken by Don O’Meara. The project was managed by Martin Railton and the report edited by Richard Newman.

CP11752 Page 4 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Circumstances and Planning Background

1.1.1 In May 2016 Wardell Armstrong Archaeology (WAA) undertook an archaeological evaluation on land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd (NGR: SH 2694 3062). The work was commissioned by Big60Million who intends to the construct a proposed new solar development for which a planning consent has been applied for to Gwynedd Council (planning reference: C15/0793/32/LL).

1.1.2 The Local Planning Authority required a programme of archaeological trenching to be undertaken prior to the determination of the planning permission for the proposed development to determine the likely impact on potential archaeological remains.

1.1.3 There are no recorded cultural heritage sites within the proposed development area in the Historic Environment Record (HER). However, it was recognised that there is the potential for as-yet unrecorded archaeological remains to survive at the site. A previous geophysical survey at the site.

1.1.4 A geophysical survey was conducted at the site by Wardell Armstrong Archaeology in September 2015. A number of the former field boundaries were detected, which correspond to those depicted on Ordnance Survey maps. Possible land drains and plough furrows were also detected. The majority of the geophysical anomalies detected appeared to be geological features (WAA 2015).

1.2 Project Documentation

1.2.1 The project conformed to a written scheme of investigation (WSI) prepared by Martin Railton in consultation with the Jenny Emmett at the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (GAT). The WSI (WAA 2016) provided a methodology for a programme of archaeological trial trench evaluation. This was submitted GAT for approval prior to the fieldwork taking place. This is in line with government advice as set out in Planning Policy Wales (Eighth Edition January 2016), and the supporting Welsh Office Circular 60/96, Planning and the Historic Environment: Archaeology.

1.2.2 This report outlines the work undertaken on site, the subsequent programme of post- fieldwork analysis, and the results of this scheme of archaeological evaluation.

CP11752 Page 5 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 Standards and guidance

2.1.1 The archaeological evaluation was undertaken following the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Standard and Guidance for archaeological field evaluation (2014a), and in accordance with the WAA fieldwork manual (2012).

2.1.2 The fieldwork programme was followed by an assessment of the data as set out in the Standard and Guidance for archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014a) and the Standard and Guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials (CIfA 2014b).

2.3 The Field Evaluation

2.3.1 The evaluation comprised the excavation of 6 trenches measuring 30m in length by 1.6m in width across the proposed development area that measured 14.6ha. The trenches were placed to target curvilinear and linear geophysical anomalies recorded during the previous geophysical survey (WAA 2015). The general aims of these investigations were:  determine the presence or absence of buried archaeological remains within the proposed development site  determine the character, date, extent and distribution of any archaeological deposits and their potential significance  determine levels of disturbance to any archaeological deposits from plough damage or from any other agricultural/industrial practices or later building activities  investigate and record all deposits and features of archaeological interest within the areas to be disturbed by the current development  determine the likely impact on archaeological deposits from the proposed development  disseminate the results of the fieldwork through an appropriate level of reporting. 2.2.2 Deposits considered not to be significant were removed by a JCB 3CX with a toothless ditching bucket, under close archaeological supervision. The trial trenches were subsequently cleaned by hand. All possible features were inspected and selected deposits were excavated by hand to retrieve artefactual material and environmental

CP11752 Page 6 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

samples. Once completed all features were recorded according to the WAA standard procedure as set out in the Excavation Manual (WAA 2015).

2.2.3 On completion the evaluation trenches were reinstated by replacing the excavated material in sequence, subsoil followed by the topsoil.

2.2.4 A full professional archive has been compiled in accordance with the project specification, and the Archaeological Archives Forum recommendations (Brown 2011). The archive will be deposited with Amgueddfa Gwynedd Museum, Gwynedd, available upon request. The archive can be accessed under the unique project identifier WAA16 NEG-A, CP11752/16.

CP11752 Page 7 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

3. BACKGROUND

3.1 Location and Geological Context

3.1.1 The site is centred on Ordnance Survey grid reference SH 2694 3062. The proposed development area lies within agricultural land to the southeast of Botwnnog, and southwest of Pwllheli on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales. The site lies within a block of land to the south of the B4413, north of Llandegwning (Figure 1). The area of investigation lies at a height of 35.25m aOD (above Ordnance Datum) with the ground sloping down gently to the north at the northern end of the site and towards the pond in in the centre of the southern half of the site.

3.1.2 The site is approximately 17.8 ha in size. The land is currently rough pasture bounded by hedgerows, farm building ruins and farm tracks (Figure 2).

3.1.3 The underlying geology at the site is varied and comprises sandstone and mudstone of the Wig Bach Formation. This sedimentary bedrock was formed approximately 467 to 470 million years ago in the Ordovician Period (BGS 2016). This is overlain by glacial deposits of diamicton, sand and gravel.

3.2 Previous Archaeological Work

3.2.1 A geophysical survey was also conducted at the site by Wardell Armstrong Archaeology in September 2015. A number of the former field boundaries were detected, which correspond to those depicted on Ordnance Survey maps. Possible land drains and plough furrows were also detected. The majority of the geophysical anomalies detected appeared to be geological features (WAA 2015).

3.3 Historical and Archaeological Background

3.3.1 An archaeological desk-based assessment of the site was produced by Wardell Armstrong (2015), a summary of which is provided below. It is not intended to repeat that information here and what follows is a brief overview, for further details please refer to the original document.

3.3.2 Prehistoric: there is no recorded evidence for prehistoric activity at the proposed development area. The only prehistoric finds within 1km of the site comprise flint tools recovered from near Botwnnog (HER 411).

3.3.3 A concentric cropmark at Coed Nant-yr-alar, located c.1km to the northeast of the site, could be evidence of prehistoric activity in the wider area (HER 18297). Further undated cropmarks have been identified to the east of the proposed development

CP11752 Page 8 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

area, which could represent evidence for early enclosures and field systems (HER 1391-1393).

3.3.4 Romano-British: there is no known evidence for Roman activity near the site.

3.3.5 Medieval: Population expansion during the 12th and 13th centuries probably led to the presence of some settlement in the vicinity of the site. Medieval settlements are believed to have been established at Botwnnog to the northwest of the site (HER 11627), and at Neigwl to the southwest (HER 6648) around this time.

3.3.7 Possible medieval ridge and furrow cultivation has been recorded c.1km to the southeast of the site (HER 6384). Capel Gwethyr cropmark, located approximately 500m to the east of the site, is also interpreted as a medieval enclosure (HER 419).

3.3.8 Post Medieval: post-medieval features recorded in the Historic Environment Record near the proposed development area comprise a post-medieval corn mill, located immediately to the east of the site at Felin Isaf, Nanhoron (HER 18959), and a post- medieval garden at Llandegwning to the immediate southeast (HER 36023).

3.3.9 The First edition Ordnance Survey County Series map of 1889 shows the proposed development area was subdivided into eight smaller fields. A pond is depicted in the southern part of the site, but appears to be further south than the existing pond. Subsequent Ordnance Survey maps show little change to the site and its surroundings until the end of the 20th century.

CP11752 Page 9 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION RESULTS

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 The evaluation was undertaken from the 9th to the 13th May 2016 with 6 trenches excavated across the proposed development site (Figure 2). The trenches were placed to target a series of possible linear and curvilinear features and other discrete anomalies recorded during the previous geophysical survey (WAA 2015).

4.2 Results

4.2.1 Six trenches were opened across two fields. Archaeological features were observed in three trenches with three trenches devoid of any archaeological features.

4.2.3 Trench 1 was situated in the northwest corner of the site (Figure 2). It was positioned to target a possible linear feature and two curvilinear features detected during the geophysical survey (Figure 6).

4.2.4 The trench was aligned northeast-southwest and was 1.6m wide and 30m long (Figure 3 and Plate 1). The natural substrate (101) consisted of a friable light grey orange- brown clay that changed near the centre of the trench to a friable light orange-brown silty clay (111) that was visible at a maximum depth of 0.75m below the current ground level (34.95m aOD). Three features, [103], [105] and [107] were observed and investigated. The northern end of the trench was at the base of the slope and was covered by c.0.15m of a friable dark grey silty clay (110) that faded out after 15m. This section of the trench was at the bottom of a slope that was waterlogged and this layer was very similar to (101) and may have been the same layer and was dark grey as a result of standing water. This was all sealed by c.0.20m of a loose mid-grey brown silty clay subsoil (102) and that was sealed by c.0.28m of a loose dark brown silty clay topsoil (100).

4.2.5 Ditch [103] was located near the northeast end of the trench (Figure 3). It was straight with sharp, moderately steep sloping sides and flat base (Plate 2). It was aligned north- south and measured 2.95m long by 0.51m wide by 0.05m deep. The fill (104) was a friable dark grey silty clay that contained occasional small stones. There was a shallow pit [105] next to its western edge at its southern end. It was partially visible and its relationship to the ditch was unclear. The ditch does not appear to be the linear feature detected by the geophysical survey.

4.2.6 Pit [105] was located next to the western edge of ditch [103] at its southern end (Figure 3). It was irregular shaped with gradual to moderately steep sloping sides and CP11752 Page 10 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

a flat base (Plate 3). It that measured 0.61m long by 0.50m wide by 0.05m deep. The fill (106) friable dark grey silty clay that contained occasional small stones. The pit was partially visible and its function and relationship to ditch [105] were unclear. It did not appear to be the anomaly detected at the northern end of the trench during the geophysical survey.

4.2.7 Curvilinear ditch [107] was located in the southwest end of the trench. It was partially visible next to its southeast side (Figure 3). It had sharp steep to very steep sloping sides and with an uneven base at its northern end and a rounded base at its southern end (Plates 4 – 6). It measured c. 5.15m long by 0.61m wide by 0.14m deep. The single fill (108)/ (109) was a friable darkish to mid-greyish brown silty clay that contained occasional small stones. The fill had been disturbed in several sections by root activity. The feature did not appear to be detected by the geophysical survey. It was located on top of the slope and had good views of the surrounding area and suggested that it may have been part of a dwelling or it could be part of a small enclosure.

4.2.8 Trench 2 was also in the north corner of the site (Figure2). It was also positioned to target a possible curvilinear feature detected during the geophysical survey (Figure 6).

4.2.9 The trench was aligned north-northeast – south-southwest and was 1.6m wide and 30m long (Figure 4 and Plate 7). The natural substrate (201) consisted of a friable light grey orange-brown silty clay at the northern end of the trench. The natural changed 20m from the northern end to a light orange-brown silty clay (206). The natural substrates were visible at a maximum depth of 0.77m below the current ground level (34.15m aOD). A linear feature, [203] was observed and investigated. At the northern end the natural clay (201) was by covered by c.0.13m of a friable dark grey silty clay (205) that faded out after 19m. This section of the trench was at the bottom of a slope and was waterlogged and this layer was very similar to (201) and probably was the same layer that was a dark grey as a result of standing water. This layer and the feature were sealed by c.0.32m a loose mid grey brown silty clay subsoil (202) which was in turn sealed by c.0.20m a loose dark brown silty clay topsoil (200).

4.2.10 Gully [203] was located near the centre of the trench (Figure 4). It was straight with gradual moderately steep sloping sides and a flat base (Plate 8). It was aligned east- west and measured 1.44m long by 0.43m wide by 0.15m deep. The fill (204) was a loose dark greyish brown silty clay that contained occasional small stones. The gully was cut into layer (205). It appeared to be a drainage gully that was located approximately where the geophysical anomaly was detected.

CP11752 Page 11 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

4.2.11 Trench 3 was situated on the northeastern side of the site (Figure 2). It was positioned to target two linear anomalies detected during the geophysical survey (Figure 6).

4.2.12 The trench was aligned north-northeast – south-southwest and was 1.6m wide and 30m long (Plate 9). The natural substrate (303) consisted of a friable light grey sandy clay and was visible for 3m from the northern and changed to a friable light orange grey-brown sandy clay (301) and they were visible at a maximum depth of 0.43m below the current ground level (29.983m aOD). Three linear features were observed and investigated. The natural clay and these possible features were sealed by c.0.12m of a friable mid greyish brown slightly sandy silty clay subsoil (302) and it was sealed by c.0.25m of a friable dark greyish brown silty clay topsoil (300). The three linear features were revealed to be three parallel land drains that were roughly 10m apart and the two linear anomalies matched two of the land drains that were investigated.

4.2.14 Trench 4 was situated at the centre of the site, to the northeast of a pond (Figure 2). It was positioned to target two possible linear features detected during the geophysical survey (Figure 6).

4.2.15 The trench was aligned northwest -southeast and was 1.6m wide and 30m long (Plate 10 & 11). The natural substrate (403) consisted of a friable light whitish orange sandy clay that was visible at a maximum depth of 1.35m below the current ground level (30.91m aOD). The two targeted anomalies were located near the centre of the trench and this section of the trench went through the deepest part of the trench and revealed a natural depression that was sloping down towards the pond, to the southwest. The natural clay at this section of the trench was covered by c.0.30m of a friable dark grey-brown silty clay (402) that contained occasional charcoal flecks and stones and measured approximately 13m long. It appeared to be the result of natural siltation. This layer and the natural clay across the rest of the trench the centre of the trench were sealed by c.0.35m of friable light whitish brown clayey silt subsoil (401). The subsoil was in turn sealed by c.0.50m of loose light greyish brown clayey silt topsoil (400). The anomalies appeared to be changes in the layers within the depression.

4.2.16 Trench 5 was situated in the southern part of the site, to the south of the pond (Figure 2). It was positioned to target two anomalies that may be soil-filled features detected during the geophysical survey (Figure 6).

4.2.17 The trench was aligned east-northeast – west-southwest and was 1.6m wide and 30m long (Figure 5 and Plate 12). The natural substrates (501) which consisted of a friable

CP11752 Page 12 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

light orange sandy clay and (504) which was a friable light orange/ white sandy clay that was visible from the western end of the trench for 6.5m. These natural substrates were visible at a maximum depth of 0.46m below the current ground level (29.61m aOD). A ditch, [502] was observed and investigated. The natural clay and the feature were sealed by c.0.38m of a loose light greyish brown clayey silt topsoil (500).

4.2.18 Ditch [502] was located in the eastern side of the trench and was aligned northwest- southeast (Figure 5). It was straight with sharp, moderately steep concaved sloping sides and a tapered rounded base. It measured 1.92m long by 0.42m wide by 0.11m deep (Plate 13). The fill (502) was a loose light brownish grey silty clay that contained occasional stone. The ditch may have been a field boundary but it showed signs of root disturbance and may have been a hedgerow.

4.2.19 Trench 6 was also situated to the south of the pond (Figure 2). It was positioned to target a further two anomalies that may be soil-filled features detected during the geophysical survey (Figure 6).

4.2.20 The trench was aligned north-northeast – south-southwest and was 1.6m wide and 30m long (Plate 14). The natural substrates (601) which consisted of a friable light whitish orange sandy clay and (602) which was a soft light greyish orange silty clay that was partially visible at the southern end of the trench for 5m. These natural substrates were visible at a maximum depth of 0.37m below the current ground level (30.41m aOD). The natural clay was sealed by c.0.25m of loose light greyish brown clayey silt topsoil (600). The two anomalies were located one at either end of the trench but no features were observed. The anomaly at the northern end of the trench was found to be a stone socket when it was investigated. The anomaly at the southern end was believed to be a change in the natural.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSES

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 During the course of the archaeological evaluation, seven bulk samples were taken for extracting material of environmental significance, specifically for an archaeobotancial assessment of the deposits. This was undertaken as per generally recognised best practice (English Heritage 2011). Samples were taken both to recover potential botanical remains, and also to inform any future work on the nature and preservation of the remains from within the evaluated area.

CP11752 Page 13 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

5.1.2 In total this represents c.100 litres of archaeological sediment. The site showed no evidence for waterlogging and therefore the approach presumed that the archaeological material would be in a charred rather than waterlogged state.

5.2 Archaeobotanical Assessment

5.2.1 The samples processed in a Sīrāf style flotation tank and collected in a 0.3mm geological sieve.

5.2.2 The heavy residue was air-dried and sorted by eye for any material that may aid our understanding of the deposit; apart from a possible fragment of worked flint from sample <6> (503) no artefactual remains were recovered to add to the assemblage recovered during the fieldwork. The residue samples were also scanned with a hand magnet to retrieve forms of magnetic material. This was done to retrieve residues of metallurgical activity, in particular hammer scale, spheroid hammer scale, fuel-ash slag and vitrified material which might be indicative of other high temperature non- metallurgical processes. Processing procedures and nomenclature follows the conventions set out by best practice recommendations (Historic England 2015); this demonstrated only naturally occurring magnetic minerals were found from these samples.

5.2.3 The organic plant material was examined at x40-60 magnification for charred and uncharred botanical remains. Identification of these reference material held in the Environmental Laboratory at Wardell Armstrong Archaeology and by reference to relevant literature (Cappers et al. 2010; Jacomet 2006). Plant taxonomic nomenclature follows Stace (2010).

5.2.4 Table 1 contains the details of the assessment on a sample by sample basis. The flot matrix is presented on a scale from 1-3; 1-present in small volumes, 2-present but not dominant, 3-dominates the flot. Cereal grains and wild plant seeds are presented as total counts for individual elements.

5.2.5 For the purposes of clarity the references to ‘seeds’ identified here refer to the seed or fruit structures unless otherwise stated; that is to say the propagule or disseminule structures. Cereal grain was recovered in a charred condition and where mentioned refers to the charred caryopsis.

5.3 Discussion of the Remains

5.3.1 The samples consisted of five ditch features, one pit feature, and one sample from a layer. The samples produced very little material of archaeobotanical significance, with

CP11752 Page 14 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

all but one sample producing flots less than 5grams in weight, which may suggest that the evaluated area was not a centre for high levels of settlement or domestic activity. The samples most commonly produced desiccated seeds of fat-hen (Chenopodium album), with smaller numbers of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). It is interpreted that the assemblage is indicative of poor archaeobotanical preservation, with the desiccated mature of the remains suggesting some of the material may be modern intrusive remains, rather than archaeological.

5.3.2 As shown in Table 1 three single indetermine cereal grains were recovered, all in a very heavily charred state. Only <7> (402) produced a flot with a notable amount of charred remains. This consisted of c.20grams of charcoal. This might suggest this layer formed during a period of nearby human activity, or incorporates material from a fire, or other domestic activity. Another notable identification was the frequency of blackberry seeds (Rubus fructicosus) and a seed of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) from <6> (503). This might be suggest the fill of this feature incorporates human faecal matter, or possible material from a rodent nest where berries had been collected and stored. Though this material, like most of the other material recovered was desiccated rather than charred, it is noticeable for the density of remains from the sample.

5.4 Conclusions and Recommendations

5.4.1 The samples taken produced limited evidence for localised human activities. Though most samples contained low amounts of charcoal only sample <7> (402) from a layer feature contained enough charcoal to suggest localised burning activity, or dumping of domestic hearth remains. As stated above, the remains from <6> (503) may have formed from different activities, both natural and anthropogenic.

5.4.2 No further work is recommended on this material at this time.

CP11752 Page 15 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Sample 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Context 104 106 108 109 204 503 402 Cut 103 105 107 107 203 502 Feature Ditch Pit Ditch Ditch Ditch Ditch Layer Volume processed (litres) 10 10 20 20 10 20 10 Weight of flot (grams) <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 20 Residue contents (relative abundance) Flint (worked?) 1 Flot matrix (relative abundance) Charcoal 1 1 1 1 3 Filamentous roots 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 Sclerotia 1 2 Charred plant remains (total counts) Avena sp grain (Oats) Indeterminate cereal 1 1 1 Other plant remains (Total counts) Chenopodioideae (goosefoots) 1 3 9 1 Hyoscyamus niger 1 Polygonum aviculare (Knotweeds) 1 Ranunculus species (Buttercup_ 3 Rubus cf. fructicosus spp. (bramble berry family) 50+ Solanum nigrum (Black nightshade) 1* 1 Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) 1 1 3 (x) Unidentified sp. 1* Table 1: Assessment of the archaeobotanical samples

CP11752 Page 16 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

6. CONCLUSIONS

6.1 Interpretation

6.1.1 Archaeological remains were found in 3 trenches, with remains concentrated in the northwest side of the site. A curvilinear ditch located at the southern end of Trench 1 may be prehistoric. It was situated on top of a slope with good views of the surrounding area and may be part of a dwelling or possibly a small enclosure.

6.1.2 A ditch and pit recorded in the northern end of Trench 1 may be the remains of a boundary feature and could also be prehistoric or post-medieval in date. Further activity was represented by ditches in Trenches 2 and 5, which may have been former field boundaries. These could be post-medieval and could match the boundaries on the First edition Ordnance Survey County Series map of 1889.

6.1.2 The survival of the archaeological features was good to poor. Survival had been influenced by the soil conditions. The curvilinear ditch in Trench 1 was in good condition as it was on top of the slope in the field. However, the features at the northern ends of Trenches 1 and 2 were at the base of the slope being waterlogged and in poor condition.

6.2 Significance

6.2.1 There was some correlation between the geophysical survey results and the features noted in the evaluation, overall, however, the results of the trial trenching were largely inconclusive. Most of the features noted appear to be post-medieval in date and related to enclosure divisions and are not regarded as being of any archaeological significance. One curvilinear ditch may be of prehistoric date and thus of at least local archaeological significance.

6.2.2 No finds were recovered and the archaeobotanical remains were not of any significance.

CP11752 Page 17 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, DH. 2011, Archaeological Archives: A Guide to Best Practice in Creation, Compilation, Transfer and Curation, Archaeological Archives Forum

CIfA 2014, Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Evaluations, Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists: Reading

CIfA 2014b, Standards and Guidance for the Collection, Documentation, Conservation and Research of Archaeological Materials. Reading: Institute for Archaeologists

Cappers, R.T.J. Bekker, R.M. and Jans, J.E.A. 2010. Digitale Zaden Atlas van Nederlands. Barkhuis Publishing and Groningen Library, Groningen

English Heritage 2007, Understanding the Archaeology of Landscapes: A Guide to good recording practice, English Heritage: Swindon

English Heritage. 2011. Environmental Archaeology. Swindon: English Heritage. Second edition.

Europae Archaeologia Consilium (EAC) 2014, A Standard and Guide to Best Practice for Archaeological Archiving in Europe, EAC Guidelines 1: Belgium

Historic England. 2015. Archaeometallurgy. Swindon: English Heritage. 2nd Edition

Stace, C. 2010, The New Flora of the British Isles, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge WAA 2015, Excavation Manual. Unpublished internal document, Wardell Armstrong Archaeology

WAA 2015, Geophysical survey of land at Botwnnog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, Unpublished report, Wardell Armstrong Archaeology. Ref. CP11386

Watkinson, DE & Neal, V (1998), First Aid for Finds, RESCUE: The British Archaeological Trust (London)

Websites

CP11752 Page 17 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

BGS 2016, Geology of Britain Viewer, http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html, British Geological Survey, accessed (04/05/2016)

CP11752 Page 18 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

APPENDIX 1: TRENCH DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1 Length: 30m Width: 1.6m Orientation: northeast-southwest Average Depth: 0.39m Maximum Depth: 0.75m

Context Context Height/Depth Discussion Description Number Type 0.28m Heavily disturbed by root Loose dark brown silty (100) Topsoil action. Field used for clay pasture. Friable light grey/ N/A Natural substrate (101) Geological orange-brown clay (102) Deposit Loose mid grey brown 0.20m Subsoil Linear feature with mod 0.05m Cut of a possible drainage [103] Cut sharp steep sloping sides ditch. and flat base Friable dark grey silty 0.05m Fill of ditch [103]. (104) Deposit that contained occasional stones Irregular shaped pit with 0.05m Cut of an irregular shaped gradual to moderately pit. [105] Cut steep sloping sides and flat base. Friable dark grey silty 0.05m Fill of pit [105]. (106) Deposit that contained occasional stones. Curvilinear feature with 0.12m – Cut of a curvilinear ditch sharp steep to very steep 0.14m that may be part of a [107] Cut sloping sides and an dwelling or a small uneven to flat base. enclosure. Friable mid to darkish 0.14m Fill of curvilinear ditch greyish brown silty clay [107]. (108) Deposit that contained occasional stones. Friable mid to darkish 0.12m Fill of curvilinear ditch greyish brown silty clay [107]. (109) Deposit that contained occasional stones. 0.15m Layer in waterlogged Friable dark grey silty section of the trench that (110) Deposit clay. is at the bottom of a slope. Friable light orange- N/A Natural substrate (111) Geological brown silty clay

Trench 2 Length: 30m Width: 1.6m Orientation: north-northeast – south-southwest Average Depth: 0.35m Maximum Depth: 0.77m

CP11752 Page 19 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Context Context Height/Depth Discussion Description Number Type 0.20m Heavily disturbed by root Loose dark brown silty (200) Topsoil action. Field used for clay pasture. Friable light grey/ N/A Natural substrate (201) Geological orange-brown silty clay. Loose mid grey-brown 0.32m Subsoil (202) Deposit silty clay. Linear feature with 0.15m Cut of a shallow ditch that [203] Cut moderately steep sloping may have been for sides and a flat base. drainage. Loose dark greyish brown 0.15m Fill of possible drainage (204) Deposit silty clay that contained ditch [203]. occasional stones. 0.13m Layer in waterlogged Friable dark grey silty section of the trench that (205) Deposit clay. is at the bottom of a slope.

Trench 3 Length: 30m Width: 1.6m Orientation: north-northeast – south-southwest Average Depth: 0.38m Maximum Depth: 0.43m

Context Context Height/Depth Discussion Description Number Type 0.25m Heavily disturbed by root Loose dark greyish brown (300) Topsoil action. Field used for silty clay. pasture. Friable light grey/ N/A Natural substrate (301) Geological orange-brown sandy clay Friable mid greyish 0.12m Subsoil (302) Deposit brown slightly sandy silty clay. Friable light grey sandy N/A Natural substrate (303) Geological clay

Trench 4 Length: 30m Width: 1.6m Orientation: northwest-southeast Average Depth: 0.22m Maximum Depth: 1.35m

Context Context Height/Depth Discussion Description Number Type 0.50m Heavily disturbed by root Loose light greyish brown (400) Topsoil action. Grass being grown clayey silt. for silage. Friable light whitish 0.35m Subsoil (401) Deposit brown clayey silt Friable dark grey brown 0.30m Layer that was at the (402) Deposit silty clay. bottom of a natural

CP11752 Page 20 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

depression and was the result of natural siltation. Friable light whitish N/A Natural substrate (403) Geological orange sandy clay

Trench 5 Length: 30m Width: 1.6m Orientation: east-northeast–west-southwest Average Depth: 0.34m Maximum Depth: 0.43m

Context Context Height/Depth Discussion Description Number Type 0.38m Heavily disturbed by root Loose light greyish brown (500) Topsoil action. Grass being grown clayey silt. for silage. Friable light orange N/A Natural substrate (501) Geological sandy clay Linear feature with 0.11m Cut of a possible sharp, concaved sloping boundary ditch/ [502] Cut sides and a tapered hedgerow that was badly rounded base. disturbed by root activity. Loose light brownish grey 0.11m Fill of possible boundary (503) Deposit silty clay that contained ditch [502]. occasional stones. Friable light white/ N/A Natural substrate (504) Geological orange sandy clay.

Trench 6 Length: 30m Width: 1.6m Orientation: north-northeast – south-southwest Average Depth: 0.30m Maximum Depth: 0.37m

Context Context Height/Depth Discussion Description Number Type 0.25m Heavily disturbed by root Loose light greyish brown (600) Topsoil action. Grass being grown clayey silt for silage. Friable light whitish N/A Natural substrate (601) Geological orange sandy clay Soft light greyish orange N/A Natural substrate (602) Geological silty clay

CP11752 Page 21 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

APPENDIX 2: PLATES

Plate 1; Trench 1, looking northeast

Plate 2; Ditch [103], looking north

CP11752 Page 22 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Plate 3; Pit [105], looking south

Plate 4; Curvilinear ditch [107], looking northeast

CP11752 Page 23 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Plate 5; Curvilinear ditch [107], looking southwest

Plate 6; Curvilinear ditch [107], looking southeast

CP11752 Page 24 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Plate 7; Trench 2, looking south-southwest

Plate 8; Gully [203], looking west CP11752 Page 25 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Plate 9; Trench 3, looking north-northeast

Plate 10; Trench 4, looking west

CP11752 Page 26 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Plate 11; Trench 4, showing (402), looking north

Plate 12; Trench 5, looking west-southwest

CP11752 Page 27 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

Plate 13; Ditch [502], looking northwest

Plate 14; Trench 6, looking northeast

CP11752 Page 28 June 2016 Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

APPENDIX 3: FIGURES

CP11752 Page 29 June 2016 225000/330000 228000/330000

0 1km

PROJECT: Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, KEY: Gwynedd SCALE: 1:25,000 at A4

REPORT No: CP11752 Site location CLIENT: Big60Million

Wardell Armstrong DRAWN BY: MDR Archaeology CHECKED BY: AB Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey 2016 on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's 6WDWLRQHU\2IILFH‹&URZQFRS\ULJKW DATE: May 2016 All rights reserved. Licence number 100019512

Figure 1: Site location. Tr 2

Tr 1

Tr 3

Tr 4

Tr 5

Tr 6

226700/330400 227200/330400

0 200m

PROJECT: Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, KEY: Gwynedd Outline of geophysical survey area SCALE: 1:5,000 at A4 Probable geological features REPORT No: CP11752 CLIENT: Big60Million Former field boundary

Wardell Armstrong DRAWN BY: HP/AB Possible land drain Archaeology CHECKED BY: AB Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey 2016 Direction of plough furrows on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's DATE: May 2016 6WDWLRQHU\2IILFH‹&URZQFRS\ULJKW Evaluation trenches All rights reserved. Licence number 100019512 Figure 2: Location of evaluation trenches with the results of the geophysical survey. Root disturbance Root disturbance Wardell Armstrong [107] natural (101) natural (101) Archaeology s.7 (108) [107] 2016 (109) s.6

PROJECT:

Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd

[103] CLIENT:

s.4 natural (101) s.5 [105] (104) natural (101) Big60Million

(106)

SCALE: Plan 1:75/Sections 1:20 at A3

DRAWN BY: HP

Trench 1. Plan. 0 5m CHECKED BY: AB

DATE: May 2016

KEY:

(101) Context number Height mAOD W E E W Section location 32.98mAOD 32.88mAOD Limit of excavation (104) (106) Excavated portion [103] [105]

Section 4. South facing section across Section 5. North facing section across Ditch [103]. Pit [105].

NW SE W E

34.54mAOD 34.63mAOD

(108) (109) [107] [107]

Section 6. South-eest facing section across Section 7. North facing section across Ditch [107]. Ditch [107].

REPORT No:

0 1m CP11752

Figure 3: Trench 1; plan and sections. Trench 2. Plan.

(204) [203] s.8 SSW Section 8. ESE facing representative trench section showing Ditch [203]. (205) top of natural (201) [203] (200) (202)

natural (201) (204) Figure 4: Trench 2; plan and section.

natural (201) top of natural (201) (205) 0 5m 0 1m NNE 32.99mAOD REPORT No: CLIENT: CHECKED BY: DATE: KEY: DRAWN BY: SCALE: PROJECT: Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Wardell Armstrong 2016 Archaeology (101) CP11752 Big60Million May 2016 AB HP Plan 1:75/Section 1:20 at A3 Excavated portion Limit of excavation Height mAOD Section location Context number Wardell Armstrong Archaeology natural (501) 2016

PROJECT:

Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd

CLIENT: (503)

natural (501) natural (501) Big60Million [502] s.1

SCALE: Plan 1:75/Section 1:20 at A3

DRAWN BY: HP

Trench 5. Plan. 0 5m CHECKED BY: AB

DATE: May 2016

KEY:

(101) Context number Height mAOD Section location Limit of excavation Excavated portion

SW NE

28.96mAOD

(503)

[502]

Section 1. South-east facing section across Ditch [502].

REPORT No: 0 1m CP11752

Figure 5: Trench 5; plan and section. Big60Million Land at Nanhoron Estate, Botwnnog, Gwynedd Archaeological Evaluation Report

CP11752 Page 30 June 2016