White Farm Merthyr Dyfan, Barry Vale of Glamorgan

WHITE FARM MERTHYR DYFAN, BARRY VALE OF GLAMORGAN

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

CA PROJECT: 1415 CA REPORT: 02105

Author: Tim Havard Simon Cox Approved:

Signed:

Issue: 01 Date: 15 OCTOBER 2002

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.

White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION...... 3

The site ...... 3 Archaeological background...... 3 Archaeological objectives ...... 6 Methodology ...... 6

2. RESULTS...... 6

3. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ...... 7

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

5. REFERENCES...... 8

APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS AND LEVELS ...... 9

APPENDIX 2: THE FINDS...... 10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan Fig. 2 The known archaeological resource Fig. 3 Trench location plan

1 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

SUMMARY

Site Name: White Farm Location: Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan NGR: ST 1140 6935 Type: Evaluation Date: 9-11 October 2002 Location of Archive: To be deposited with National Museum of Wales, Cardiff Site Code: WFB 02

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October 2002 at the request of WynThomasGordonLewis (on the behalf of Mrs M. Twigg) at White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry. In compliance with an approved written scheme of investigation, 15 trenches were excavated across the development area.

A mini desk-based assessment, undertaken prior to the fieldwork indicated that the site lay in close proximity to the shrunken medieval village of Merthyr Dyfan. However, no archaeological features or deposits were encountered during the course of the evaluation.

2 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In October 2002 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for WynThomasGordonLewis (on behalf of Mrs M. Twigg) at White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan (centred on NGR: ST 1140 6935; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany a planning application for residential development.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a brief for archaeological evaluation (GGAT 1996) prepared by Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust, the archaeological advisors to the Local Planning Authority (Vale of Glamorgan Council), for a previous application (ref: 96/00386/OUT), and with a subsequent detailed written scheme of investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2002) and approved by Neil Maylan, Senior Development Control Officer, Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (1999).

The site

1.3 The site is bounded on all sides by residential development (Fig. 1) and lies at a height of approximately 78m to 92m AOD. The proposed development area encloses an area of approximately 6ha, and comprises land within six fields, currently under grass cover except for a small area of wild undergrowth at the north- east of the site. Field boundaries within the development area are mature hedgerows.

1.4 The underlying geology of the area is mapped as Porthkerry Formation of the Jurassic Era (British Geological Survey: England and Wales Sheet 263).

Archaeological background

1.5 Prior to the undertaking of the evaluation fieldwork, a mini desk-based assessment of the development area was undertaken in order to define the known or potential archaeological resource. This involved the consultation of the Glamorgan and Gwent

3 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

Sites and Monuments Record, the National Monuments Record, books, journals, historical documents, cartographic sources and a site visit. This information was used to target areas of potential archaeological significance for the location of the evaluation trenches in the WSI, and is set out below and on Fig. 2.

1.6 There were no sites within the development area that were recorded on the Glamorgan and Gwent Sites and Monuments Record or the National Monuments Record. However, in the immediate vicinity of the development area twenty-one SMR sites and two NMR sites were present.

1.7 All of the SMR and NMR sites in the vicinity relate to the shrunken medieval village of Merthyr Dyfan. The church of St. Dyfan and St. Teilos was first mentioned in sources of the thirteenth century, and the chancel of the church is of this date (Newman 1995) (Fig. 2, 1). This seems to have been the focus of settlement, with the buildings uncovered so far located in two groups to the west and south-east of the church. A base for a cross in the churchyard was also of medieval date (Fig. 2, 2). Human remains were found on the east side of the churchyard wall in a bank, showing that the medieval churchyard is larger than the area enclosed by the walls (Fig. 2, 3). The remains were those of two inhumations, one male and one female. Thirteenth-century pottery and a bronze ring were found nearby (Tyley 1971).

1.8 Remains of fourteen buildings have been located so far, by excavations in the 1960s and 1970s by Barry Archaeological Group and by a rescue excavation in the 1980s prior to the development of a housing estate to the east of the current development area (Fig. 2, 4-17). These buildings had stone-built walls, which had been robbed in some cases, and corners showing the transition from round-cornered to right-angled form, with some such as 10 having an intermediate form, with rounded external corners but angled internal corners. Traces of plaster were found on the internal faces of the walls in some of the buildings, such as 12. Some of the buildings were dwellings but others showed evidence of other uses, such as 7 from which slag was recovered suggesting it may have been a forge, 6 which contained a corn dryer suggesting it may have been a bake-house, and 13 which had a metalled floor and internal drain, suggesting it may have been a cattle shed. Where dating evidence has been recovered from the buildings it has suggested a date of the thirteenth to fourteenth centuries, although building 15 may have continued in use until the eighteenth century (Harris et al 1983, RCHAMW 1982).

4 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

1.9 In addition to the remains of buildings, other medieval remains have been found or are known from documentary evidence to have been in the area. Traces of a hollow way 9m wide and 1.5m deep were seen on the east side of a house platform (Fig. 2, 18). A corn-drying kiln was found to the west of house 4, comprising a circular pit 0.9m in diameter and 0.6m deep with the possible location of a flue marked by a black strip in the soil (Fig. 2, 19) (RCAHMW 1982). Pottery of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries was associated with the structure. The Ffynnon John Lewis (John Lewis well) was a nineteenth-century structure which probably replaced a medieval well (Fig. 2, 20). A holy well was documented in the area, known as St. Peter’s Well. A layer of medieval occupation material was found to the south-east of the church during ground-works in 1978 (Fig. 2, 21). This deposit contained pottery of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries (SMR).

1.10 The 1842 Tithe apportionment map shows the field divisions within the development area, many of which are in the same location today (Fig. 2). Any hedges which are in the same position as those on the 1842 map may be considered ‘historic’ under the terms of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 and so may be subject to statutory protection.

1.11 Two small agricultural buildings are shown on maps of 1878 and 1955 in roughly the same location (Fig. 2, a). The Rectory, which is shown on maps of 1842 to 1955 lies on the edge of the development area, possibly just to the north of it (Fig. 2, b). A track to the north of this building was also shown on maps of the same date (Fig. 2, c). No other features are visible within the development area on any cartographic sources.

1.12 In conclusion, the shrunken medieval village of Merthyr Dyfan appears to have been located to the north and east of the development area. No sites are known within the development area and if buildings were present there the slope of the land would have necessitated the construction of a house platform, such as that of building 5, and no such platforms are known. The location of the old rectory may have been the site of earlier developments and so may mark an area of greater archaeological potential.

5 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

Archaeological objectives

1.13 The objectives of the evaluation were to establish the character, quality, date, significance and extent of any archaeological remains or deposits surviving within the site. This information will assist the Local Planning Authority in making an informed judgement on the likely impact upon the archaeological resource by the proposed development.

Methodology

1.14 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 15 trenches each 50m in length by 1.5m in width. They were positioned in accordance with the locations shown in the WSI, with the exception of trench 7 (Fig. 3) which was moved away from steeply sloping ground.

1.15 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with the CA Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (1996).

1.16 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential, and no samples were taken. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with the CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately After Excavation (1995).

1.17 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive (including artefacts) will be deposited with The National Museum of Wales.

2. RESULTS

2.1 No archaeological features were encountered during the course of the project. This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts and finds are to be found in Appendix 1 and 2 respectively.

6 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

2.2 A broadly similar stratigraphic sequence was encountered in all of the trenches. The natural substrate was encountered at a depth of between 0.25m to 0.40m. This was overlain by a dark brown silty clay topsoil. The one exception to this was trench 1, which had a layer of modern made up ground at its southern end.

2.3 Several possible features were investigated for their archaeological potential, but were shown to be of natural origin.

3. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

3.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the site, no archaeological features or deposits were observed during the course of the evaluation. Their absence may indicate that the shrunken medieval village of Merthyr Dyfan does not extend as far as the site. This supports the conclusion of the mini desk-based assessment, which indicated the medieval village lay to the north and east of the development area (para. 1.12 above). It should be noted that no trace of the two small agricultural buildings shown on 1878 and 1955 maps was encountered in trench 9.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Tim Havard, assisted by Derek Evans, Kirsty Owen and Briege Williams. The report was written by Tim Havard. The illustrations were prepared by Peter Moore. The archive has been compiled by Tim Havard, and prepared for deposition by Ed McSloy. The project was managed for CA by Simon Cox.

7 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

5. REFERENCES

Documentary

CA 2002 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Written Scheme of Investigation for An Archaeological Evaluation

GGAT 1996 Land adjoining White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry. Brief for archaeological evaluation

Harris, R, Parkhouse, J, and Tyley, GR 1983 ‘Excavations at Merthyr Dyfan’ GGAT Annual report 1982-3

Newman, J 1995 Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan

RCHAMW 1982 Glamorgan Medieval Non-defensive Secular Monuments

SMR Glamorgan and Gwent Sites and Monuments Record

Tyley, GR 1971 ‘ Merthyr Dyfan’ Archaeology in Wales 11

Cartographic

1842 Merthyr Dyfan Tithe Map

1890 First Edition Ordnance Survey map, sheet 46, 14

1900 Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map, sheet 46, 14

1920 Third Edition Ordnance Survey map, sheet 46, 14

1942 Ordnance survey map

1955 Ordnance Survey map

1988 British Geological Survey: England and Wales Sheet 263 Drift Geology

8 White Farm, Merthyr Dyfan, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan: Archaeological Evaluation © Cotswold Archaeology

APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS AND LEVELS

Trench 1 Present Ground Level: 88.49m to 93.01m AOD

100 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m in depth. Overlies 101. 101 Made up ground: mid grey pink silty sand and gravel, 0.2m to 0.75m In depth. Overlies 102. 102 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown clay.

Trench 2 Present Ground Level: 89.35m to 89.55m AOD

200 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m in depth. 201 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown clay mixed with mudstone brash.

Trench 3 Present Ground Level: 91.18m to 91.77m AOD

300 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.2m to 0.4m in depth. 301 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown mudstone brash with occasional pockets of clay.

Trench 4 Present Ground Level: 91.00m to 93.16m AOD

400 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.26m in depth. 401 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown clay mixed with frequent mudstone brash.

Trench 5 Present Ground Level: 88.30m to 89.72m AOD

500 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.05m to 0.27m in depth. 501 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown clay mixed with mudstone brash.

Trench 6 Present Ground Level: 86.25m to 86.71m AOD

600 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.35m in depth. 601 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown mudstone brash.

Trench 7 Present Ground Level: 80.59m to 84.12m AOD

700 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.35m in depth. 701 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown mudstone brash with occasional yellow brown clay.

Trench 8 Present Ground Level: 76.95m to 82.99m AOD

800 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.34m in depth 801 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown, mudstone brash with occasional pockets of clay.

Trench 9 Present Ground Level: 85.12m to 87.62m AOD

900 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.15m to 0.28m in depth 901 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown clay mixed with mudstone brash.

Trench 10 Present Ground Level: 79.92m to 83.08m AOD

1000 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.30m in depth 1001 Natural substrate: mid yellow mudstone brash with frequent mid yellow brown clay patches.

Trench 11 Present Ground Level: 83.13m to 85.45m AOD

1100 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.25m in depth 1101 Natural substrate: mid yellow mudstone brash with frequent mid yellow brown clay patches.

Trench 12 Present Ground Level: 78.33m to 81.98m AOD

1200 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.37m in depth

1201 Natural substrate: mid yellow mudstone brash with frequent mid yellow brown clay patches.

Trench 13 Present Ground Level: 78.10m to 81.68m AOD

1300 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.05m to 0.30m in depth 1301 Natural substrate: mid yellow clay with frequent patches of mudstone brash.

Trench 14 Present Ground Level: 80.96m to 81.34m AOD

1400 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.1m to 0.32m in depth 1401 Natural substrate: mid yellow mudstone brash with frequent mid yellow brown clay patches.

Trench 15 Present Ground Level: 80.53m to 84.85m AOD

1500 Topsoil: dark brown silty clay, 0.05m to 0.35m in depth 1501 Natural substrate: mid yellow brown clay with mudstone brash.

APPENDIX 2: THE FINDS

Concordance of finds

200 1 sherd medieval pottery (5g): Gritty reduced, source unknown

300 2 sherds medieval pottery (3g): Gritty oxidised, source unknown

400 1 sherd post-medieval pottery (2g): Internally glazed earthenware

1300 6 sherds post-medieval/modern pottery (21g). glazed and unglazed earthenwares 1 limpet shell 1 fragment clay pipe (3g): stem 2 fragments animal bone 1 fragment slate ‘pencil’ 1 fe bar fragment

Discussion

Artefacts recovered from the site consist of small quantities of pottery, clay pipe and non-ceramic items. All finds derive from topsoil contexts and have been discarded.

The earliest material recovered consists of small, highly abraded pottery body sherds of probable medieval date from contexts 200 and 300. The remaining pottery, which also consists of small and abraded sherds, dates to the 18th to 20th centuries. A similar post-medieval or modern date is likely for the clay pipe and non-ceramic artefacts summarised above

10 Site

Fig. 1 Site location plan 11 12

5/18 4 19 1/2 3 21 c 6

b 7

a 8/13 14/15/20

16/17

69 Site Structure first shown 1842 Historic field boundary Structure first shown 1878 Documented archaeological site Structure first shown 1955 Trackway first shown 1842

Reproduced from the 1998 Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map with the permission of 0 500m Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, ST c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust AL50196A

Fig. 2 The known archaeological resourse 695 Site Evaluation trench N 0 250m

1 2

694 7

10 8 6 12 3 11

9 693 13 4 5

15 ST 112 Reproduced from the 2002 Ordnance Survey 1:2500 map with the permission of 692 Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust AL50196A 113 114 115

Fig. 3 Trench location plan