Land Off Crown Lane Wychbold Worcestershire Archaeological Evaluation

Land off Crown Lane Wychbold Worcestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

for Charles Church Developments Ltd

CA Project: 3622 CA Report: 11293 WCC Reference: WSM 46057

December 2011

Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 3622 WCC Reference: WSM 46057 CA Report: 11293

prepared by Diarmuid O Seaneachain, Project Supervisor

date 22 November 2011

checked by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

date 14 December 2011

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 14 December 2011

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 Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ t. 01285 771022 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4) ...... 7

3. DISCUSSION...... 11

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 12

5. REFERENCES ...... 12

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS...... 14 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS...... 20 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 21

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (Scale@A4 1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan (Scale@A3 1:1000) Fig. 3 Trench 11: plan and sections Fig. 4 Trench 12: plan and section

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land off Crown Lane Location: Wychbold, Worcestershire NGR: SP 9210 6603 Type: Evaluation Date: 14-21 November 2011 Planning Reference: W/11/2055 Location of Archive: Worcestershire County Museum Accession Number: WSM 46057 Site Code: CRO11

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in November 2011 at Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire. Fifteen trenches were excavated.

A number of intercutting ditches and an associated bank were investigated in the east of the site. These appear to represent the establishment of, and subsequent modifications to, the drainage of the eastern field in the post-medieval period. A dump of modern artefacts was also revealed.

In the west of the site a number of post-medieval or modern land drains and furrows were identified, along with a possible small pit or tree-bole and an undated gully.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In November 2011 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Charles Church Developments Ltd at Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire (centred on NGR: SP 9210 6603; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken prior to the determination of a planning application submitted to Wychavon District Council (Reference W/11/2055) for the construction of 61 dwellings with associated car parking, infrastructure provision and open space.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with the Requirements for an archaeological field evaluation at land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire, issued by Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service (WHEAS) on October 14th 2011, and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2011a) and approved by Mr Mike Glyde, the Historic Environment Planning Advisor to Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service (WHEAS). The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2008), the Requirements and Guidelines for Archaeological Projects in Worcestershire (WHEAS 2010), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site

1.3 The proposed development site is approximately 2.9ha in area and is located to the west of Crown Lane, 50m north of the A38 (Worcester Road), on the northern outskirts of the village of Wychbold. The proposed development site currently comprises two pasture fields (Fields 1 and 2, as shown on Fig. 2), divided by a mature hedgerow. The northern site boundary is formed by a hedgerow dividing the proposed development site from a factory and further agricultural land. The eastern site boundary is formed by Crown Lane. To the south the site is bounded by residential properties, and to the west it is bounded by agricultural land. The proposed development site lies at approximately 50m AOD, and gently slopes to the north and west towards the River Salwerpe, which flows in a south-westerly direction approximately 400m north-west of the proposed development site.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

1.4 The solid geology within the proposed development site comprises the Droitwich Halite member, inter-bedded with mudstone (BGS 2011). This halite has been recorded in beds up to 12m thick, and has been exploited elsewhere in the county for its brine deposits. There are no recorded superficial deposits within the proposed development site.

Archaeological background

1.5 In August 2011 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned to carry out a heritage desk-based assessment of the site (CA 2011b), relevant elements of which are presented in the following paragraphs.

1.6 Excavations at Stoke Lane, 150m south-west of the proposed development, recorded an Iron Age and Romano-British ditched enclosure containing at least three roundhouses. To the south of the enclosure a Romano-British ditched field system was identified. The settlement was located on a south-facing slope overlooking the River Salwarpe which flowed 400m west of the enclosure. The proposed course of the Roman Road from Worcester to Lickey passes 50m south of the proposed development site, on a south-west to north-east orientation.

1.7 The site of an early medieval royal palace is recorded at Wychbold in contemporary charters, although the location of the palace is unknown. There is no evidence to suggest it was located within the proposed development site and it is perhaps more likely that the palace was located to the east, at the cross-roads of Mill Lane and Church Lane close to the current Wychbold Court. However, the desk-assessment concluded that the site held potential for previously unrecorded archaeological remains, and therefore the presence of the palace within the proposed development area could not be ruled out.

1.8 An early medieval trackway is suggested 250m east of the proposed development site, known as the Ridgeway, which was postulated by Grundy (1935), and appears to have terminated near to Wychbold Court. The conjectural route of Godham Way passes approximately 50m east of the proposed development site, and is also likely to have early medieval origins. These early routeways which converge upon Wychbold are suggestive of the importance the village held during the early

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

medieval period. Archaeological evaluation at Church Lane recorded a pebbled surface and a buried soil horizon of pre-medieval date, and most likely early medieval date (WCCAS 1998, 5). The subsequent watching brief did not record the pebble surface, although it did identify the possible early medieval soil horizon, interpreted as an early phase of agriculture (WCCAS 2000, 4). This evidence suggests that the area to the south of the Roman road was in agricultural use during the early medieval period, perhaps peripheral to any conjectural settlement at Wychbold.

1.9 Wychbold was a prominent manor at the time of Domesday, and the manor possessed five mills and a strong interest in the local salt workings in 1086 (Thorn and Thorn 1982). The name Wychbold derives from the Old English ‘Wic Bold’, which translates as the dwelling near the trading settlement’ (Poulton-Smith 2003), and the wealth of the manor is reflected in the fact that the upper reaches of the River Salwarpe and the watershed to the north showed the greatest concentration of ‘vills’ (settlements) in royal ownership in the whole county in 1086. It has been suggested that these settlements represented the remnants of a large royal estate, fragmented by 1086, with the associated palace situated at Wychbold (Bond and Hunt 1992, 189).

1.10 The main focus of medieval settlement is likely to have been centred upon the axis created by Church Lane, Mill Lane and Worcester Road. Church Lane led to St Mary’s Church, the likely focus of now abandoned settlement 750m south-east of the proposed development site. Mill Lane led to the River Salwarpe and the mill complex at Hampton Lovett mills, including the corn mill recorded 250m north-east of the proposed development site, which probably acted as the industrial focus of medieval Wychbold. It was probably not until the later medieval period that settlement began to expand southwards along Worcester Road, although a further mill is recorded 400m west of the proposed development site, which is likely to have been located on the periphery of the village.

1.11 The settlement is likely to have been located at the centre of a network of open fields. Ridge and furrow earthworks, indicative of medieval open field agriculture, are recorded on the eastern outskirts of the village, 250m east of the proposed development site. Evaluations at Church Lane and Wychbold Hall both recorded further medieval ridge and furrow (13th/14th-century date) which suggests the medieval open fields of Wychbold extended to the south of the village for some

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

distance. The proposed development site is likely to have formed part of the village’s northern agricultural hinterland, between the villages of Wychbold and the postulated medieval settlement at Wyken.

1.12 The proposed development site is likely to have remained in agricultural use throughout the post-medieval and modern periods. Settlement continued to expand alongside Worcester Road, with post-medieval settlement recorded at Crown Cottage 20m south of the proposed development site and Wychbold Court. The 1845 Tithe Map records the area of proposed development site extending over two fields. The north-eastern field is unnamed, while the south-western field is labelled ‘Toll Close’, which possibly suggests that the field adjoined a place for the payment of road tolls (Field 1989, 235).

1.13 The Tithe map also recorded a curved field boundary in the northern part of the proposed development site, which is likely to relate to a hollow observed during the site visit. It is probable this feature relates to a former pond or marl pit. Aerial photography from 1945 onwards record few alterations to the proposed development site, although two ditches are visible in the eastern part of the proposed development site. These were also observed during the site visit, and are likely to represent former field boundaries. An aerial photograph from 1994 records the two ditches in the eastern part of the proposed development site, and three slight banks in the western part of the proposed development site which are likely to mark the course of modern field drains.

Archaeological objectives

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

Methodology

1.15 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of fifteen trenches, eleven measuring 50m x 1.8m, and four measuring 25m x 1.8m in the locations shown on the attached plan

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

(Fig. 2). The brief required the trenches to be set out on a standard grid array; however, due to ecological and utilities constraints the trench layout was adapted to maximise coverage of the area available for trenching. A number of the trenches were also targeted over earthworks representing possible linear banks and ditches in Fields 1 and 2. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using a Leica 1200 series SmartRover GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2011).

1.16 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 CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.17 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003) and no deposits were identified that required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).

1.18 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. The archive will be deposited with Worcestershire County Museum under accession number WSM 46057. The artefacts are of limited archaeological significance, and, subject to the agreement of Mr Glyde, will not be retained. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4)

Field 1 (Fig. 2)

Trenches 1-10

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

2.1 The natural substrate of red sandy clay was encountered in all trenches in Field 1 at an average depth of between 0.54 and 0.67m below present ground level. This was overlain in all trenches by a subsoil horizon between 0.31 and 0.4m in thickness and sealed by the topsoil horizon, which varied from 0.14m to 0.33m in thickness across all trenches.

2.2 No archaeological features were observed in Trench 9. Land drains were noted cutting subsoil in Trenches 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10, and northwest to southeast aligned furrows were noted in Trenches 2, 4, 6 and 8 (Fig. 2).

2.3 A possible feature (103) was investigated in Trench 1 and revealed to be a possible small pit or tree-bole containing no artefacts. A small possible linear gully (703) was also recorded in Trench 7. It contained two fills (704 and 705) but no dating evidence was recovered.

Field 2 (Figs 2-4)

Trench 11 (Figs 2 & 3)

2.4 In Trench 11 the natural substrate of reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue-grey clay marbling was encountered at a depth of 0.6m below present ground level. This was cut by ditch 1108 aligned northwest to southeast containing two fills (1107 and 1106). A sherd of oxidised glazed Malvernian ware dating from the 16th to the 17th century AD was recovered from 1106, the uppermost fill of this ditch. Fill 1106 was cut on the western side by another ditch 1112, also orientated northwest to southeast. Ditch 1112 also cut the subsoil horizon 1101 and contained three fills (1111, 1110 and 1109). A sherd of oxidised glazed Malvernian ware dating from the 16th to the early 17th century was also recovered from 1110, the secondary fill of the ditch. A piece of roof tile, with a broad 13th to 18th century AD date range, was found within 1109, the uppermost fill of the ditch.

2.5 At the north-eastern end of Trench 11 the subsoil horizon 1101 was overlain by a deposit of possible bank material 1121 approximately 0.36m thick. This contained a single sherd of Malvernian ware dating from the 16th to the 17th century AD, and was cut by ditch 1105, which was broadly aligned northwest to southeast. This ditch also cut 1106, the uppermost fill of ditch 1108. Ditch 1105 contained two fills (1104 and 1103). No dating material was recovered from these deposits.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

2.6 At the south-western end of Trench 11 the subsoil horizon was cut by a northwest to southeast aligned ditch 1116, which contained three fills (1115, 1114 and 1113). A sherd of 18th-century glazed earthenware was recovered from 1114, the secondary fill of this ditch. A piece of flat roof tile dating between the 13th and the 18th centuries AD was retrieved from the uppermost fill 1113.

2.7 The subsoil horizon was also cut by two land drains (Fig. 2). All of the above features were sealed by the topsoil horizon, which measured approximately 0.26m in thickness.

Trench 12

2.8 In Trench 12 the natural substrate was cut at the north-eastern end of the trench by a northwest to southeast aligned ditch 1203. The single fill of this ditch, 1204, was cut to the south-west by ditch 1205, and it was also truncated to the north-west by ditch 1209 which was broadly aligned northeast to southwest. The fill of ditch 1209 was partially sealed by the subsoil horizon 1201. No artefacts were recovered from any of these features.

2..9 The subsoil horizon 1201, which averaged 0.3m in thickness across the trench, was cut by ditch 1207, which heavily truncated ditches 1203, 1209 and cut 1205. No artefacts were recovered from fill 1208, the single fill of ditch 1207. Fill 1208 was cut by post-medieval land drain 1211, which was orientated northeast to southwest.

2.10 The south-western end of Trench 12 crossed a northwest to southeast aligned ditch 1213 with a single fill 1214. This appeared to represent a continuation of the ditches identified in Trenches 11 and 13, corresponding with the linear earthwork indicated on the topographic survey (Fig. 2). The above features were sealed by the topsoil horizon, which averaged 0.3m in thickness across the trench.

Trench 13 (Fig. 2)

2.11 In Trench 13 the natural substrate was encountered at a depth of 0.6m below present ground level. This was overlain by a subsoil horizon 0.3m thick which was cut at the southern end of the trench by a northwest to southeast aligned ditch 1303. A post- medieval red clay land drain 1307 was found at the base of this ditch, sealed by the

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

ditch fill 1304. Fill 1304 was cut to the north by ditch 1305, containing a single fill 1306. Fill 1306 was sealed by the topsoil horizon, which was 0.3m in thickness across the trench. No artefactual material was recovered from these features. Trenches 14 and 15

2.12 In Trenches 14 and 15 the natural substrate was encountered at a depth of 0.6m below present ground level. This was overlain by a subsoil horizon 0.3m thick and sealed by a topsoil horizon 0.3 in maximum thickness. In Trench 14 a northwest to southeast aligned post-medieval land drain containing a red clay drainage pipe was observed cutting the subsoil horizon. In Trench 15 modern pit 1503 was observed cutting the subsoil in section along the side of trench. The fill of this pit 1504 contained a large quantity of dumped late 19th to early 20th-century pottery, glass and ceramic building material (CBM).

The Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence

2.13 The finds assemblage recovered from the evaluation is summarised in Appendix B with pottery fabric codes are in accordance with the fabric reference series maintained by Worcestershire County Council’s Historic Environment and Archaeology Service (Hurst and Rees 1992; Hurst 1994; and at www.worcestershireceramics.org).

2.14 The pottery assemblage consisted of 15 sherds of pottery weighing 1116g. In addition, fragments of flat roof tile and bottle glass were recovered. The assemblage was recovered from seven stratified contexts and could be dated from the post- medieval period onwards.

Pottery 2.15 The pottery assemblage was of small a size and included utilitarian wares such as glazed earthenwares from deposits 1114 and 1504 and modern stoneware sherds from deposit 1504. While the earthenwares appeared to be of 18th-century or slightly later date the stoneware was of 19th or early 20th-century production.

2.16 A total of three sherds of oxidised glazed Malvernian ware were recorded from deposits 1106, 1110 and 1121. All of the sherds were un-featured and, while this fabric type was produced from the late 13th to early 17th century, the sherds were consistent with 16th to early 17th-century wares.

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

2.17 A single whiteware sherd was recovered from deposit 1504 and was from a cup probably of 19th-century manufacture.

Other finds 2.18 Two intact glass bottles and a fragment of a bottle base were recovered from deposit 1504. Of the intact bottles one was fitted with an applied top with internal screw stopper and was of a type manufactured c. 1870 to 1920. Two fragments of ceramic roof tile from deposits 1109 and 1113 could only be attributed a broad date range of 13th to 18th century.

Significance 2.19 The finds assemblage was of very limited archaeological significance and is typical of general rubbish discard during the post-medieval and modern periods. As such, the material will not be retained.

3. DISCUSSION

Medieval/post-medieval 3.1 The earliest phase of archaeological activity identified on the site is represented by ditch 1108, of which undated ditch 1203 may represent a continuation. A single sherd of oxidised glazed Malvernian Ware, which was recovered from the secondary fill of ditch 1108, indicates that it is likely to have gone out of after the early 17th century. Ditches 1203 and 1108 may represent an early phase of sub-division and drainage of the field, and although a medieval origin cannot be ruled out a post- medieval date seems likely. Parallel ditch 1116 may be contemporary or later. In Trench 11 ditch 1108 appears to have been replaced in the post-medieval period by a bank (1121) and possible double-ditch arrangement (1105 and 1112) on the same alignment. This ditch and bank appears to correspond to one of the two ditches observed on the 1994 aerial photograph (see Archaeological Background above), and would appear to relate to an earlier sub-division of the eastern field, which very likely post-dates the 17th century but pre-dates the Tithe map of 1845. In Trench 12 undated ditch 1203 was truncated by ditch 1209 on a north-south alignment, and this was subsequently cut by ditch 1207 on a north-west/south-east alignment. Although undated, ditch 1207 appears highly likely to be contemporary with ditch 1105 in Trench 11, the two forming a visible depression across the eastern field.

11 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

3.2 Ditch 1303 was cut by an undated ditch, 1305, which corresponds to ditch 1213 in Trench 12 and ditch 1116 in Trench 11. This later ditch corresponds to the other ditch visible on the 1994 aerial photograph, and is visible as a distinct dip and earthen bank in Field 2. Therefore, this ditch almost certainly also represents an earlier sub-division of Field 2 at some point between the 17th and early 19th centuries AD. The presence of a clay drain in the base of ditch 1303 would suggest a date towards the end of that range.

Undated 3.3 The undated small pit or tree-bole and possible gully identified in Trenches 1 and 7 respectively were the only features, other than furrows, identified in Field 1.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Diarmuid O Seaneachain assisted by Andrew Loader and Jon Pick. The report was written by Diarmuid O Seaneachain. The illustrations were prepared by Jon Bennett and Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Diarmuid O Seaneachain and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Simon Cox.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2011 Geology of Britain Viewer. Online resource at http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html viewed July 2011

Bond, A. and Hunt, J. 1992 ‘The town c.400-c.1900’ in S. G. Woodiwiss (ed), Iron Age and Roman salt production & the medieval town of Droitwich (CBA Res Rep 81)

Cotswold Archaeology (CA) 2011a Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

12 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Cotswold Archaeology (CA) 2011b Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (report: 11208)

Dodderhill Parish Survey Project 2011 accessed online at www.dodderhillhistory.org.uk in August 2011

Field, J. 1989 English Field Names: A Dictionary

Grundy, G. B. 1935 ‘Ancient Highways & Tracks of Worcestershire and the Middle Severn Basin (Part 3)’, Archaeological Journal, 92,

Hurst, J. D. and Rees, H., 1992 Pottery fabrics. A multi-period series for the County of Hereford and Worcester. In Woodiwiss, S. G. (ed), Iron Age and Roman salt production and the medieval town of Droitwich, CBA Research Report 81

Hurst, J. D., 1994 (as amended) Pottery fabrics. A multi-period series for the County of Hereford and Worcester, County Archaeological Service, Hereford and Worcester County Council, report 445

Poulton-Smith, A. 2003 Worcestershire Place Names

Thorn, F. and Thorn, C. 1982 Domesday Book: Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Council Archaeological Service (WCCAS) 1998 Evaluation of land off Church Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Council Archaeological Service (WCCAS) 2000 Watching brief at Land off Church Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire

Worcestershire Historic Enviroment Archaeology Service (WHEAS) 2011 Requirements for an Archaeological Evaluation at Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire

13 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench 1

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 100 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.28 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 101 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.33 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 102 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.61 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 103 Cut Cut of tree bole 0.82 0.56 0.09 104 Fill Primary fill of 103, grey-brown sandy silt 0.71 0.3 0.08 105 Fill Secondary fill 0f 103, dark brown-grey silty clay 0.67 0.35 0.09

Trench 2

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 200 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.21 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 201 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.42 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 202 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.63 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 203 Cut NW-SE aligned plough furrow visible as yellow 2 0.15 sandy linear strip 204 Fill Fill of 203, yellow sandy silty clay and pebbles 2 0.15 205 Cut NW-SE aligned plough furrow visible as yellow 1.7 0.15 sandy linear strip 206 Fill Fill of 204, yellow sandy silty clay and pebbles 1.7 0.15 207 Cut NW-SE aligned plough furrow visible as yellow 1.5 0.15 sandy linear strip 208 Fill Fill of 207, yellow sandy silty clay and pebbles 1.5 0.15 209 Cut NW-SE aligned plough furrow visible as yellow 2 0.15 sandy linear strip 210 Fill Fill of 209, yellow sandy silty clay and pebbles 2 0.15 211 Cut NW-SE aligned plough furrow visible as yellow 2.2 0.15 sandy linear strip 212 Fill Fill of 211, yellow sandy silt and pebbles 2.2 0.15 213 Cut NW-SE aligned plough furrow visible as yellow 1.8 0.15 sandy linear strip 214 Fill Fill of 213, yellow sandy silty clay and pebbles 1.8 0.15

Trench 3

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 300 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.38

14 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 301 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.29 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 302 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- 0.67 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 303 Cut Cut of NE-SW aligned post-medieval land drain >2m 0.15 0.22 304 Fill Fill of 303, includes red clay drainage pipe >2m 0.15 0.22 305 Cut Cut of NE-SW aligned post-medieval land drain >2m 0.15 0.15 306 Fill Fill of 305, includes red clay drainage pipe >2m 0.15 0.15 307 Cut Cut of NE-SW aligned post-medieval land drain >2m 0.15 0.16 308 Fill Fill of 307, includes red clay drainage pipe >2m 0.15 0.16 309 Cut Cut of NE-SW aligned post-medieval land drain >2m 0.15 0.22 310 Fill Fill of 309, includes red clay drainage pipe >2m 0.15 0.22

Trench 4

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 400 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.25 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 401 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.34 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 402 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.59 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles

Trench 5

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 500 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.25 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 501 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.32 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 502 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.57 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 503 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >25m 0.15 0.19 504 Fill Fill of 503, includes red clay drainage pipe >25m 0.15 0.19

Trench 6

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 600 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.33 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 601 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.23 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting.

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602 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.56 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 603 Cut Cut of N-S aligned post-medieval land drain >1.5 0.18 0.18 604 Fill Fill of 603, includes red clay drainage pipe >1.5 0.18 0.18

Trench 7

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 700 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.25 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 701 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.37 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 702 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- 0.62 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 703 Cut Cut of NE-SW aligned possible gully >0.83 0.22 0.14 704 Fill Primary fill of 703, reddish-brown sandy clay >0.83 0.22 0.05 705 Fill Secondary fill of 703, brown-grey clayey silt >0.83 0.22 0.23

Trench 8

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 800 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.14 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 801 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.4 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 802 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.54 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 803 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >1.9 0.2 0.2 804 Fill Fill of 803, includes red clay drainage pipe >1.9 0.2 0.2 805 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >1.9 0.15 0.15 806 Fill Fill of 805, includes red clay drainage pipe >1.9 0.15 0.15 807 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >1.9 0.22 0.1 808 Fill Fill of 807, includes red clay drainage pipe >1.9 0.22 0.1 809 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned plough furrow >3.3 1.6 0.06 810 Fill Fill of 809, yellow-grey sandy silty clay with >3.3 1.6 0.06 moderate rounded and sub-rounded pebbles

Trench 9

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 900 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.2 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 901 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.31 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 902 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.51 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub-

rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles

Trench 10

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1000 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.28 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 1001 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.34 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 1002 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.62 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 1003 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >2 0.15 0.22 1004 Fill Fill of 1003, includes red clay drainage pipe >2 0.15 0.22 1005 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >2.15 0.15 0.2 1006 Fill Fill of 1005, includes red clay drainage pipe >2.15 0.15 0.2 1007 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >2.15 0.13 0.1 1008 Fill Fill of 1007, includes red clay drainage pipe >2.15 0.13 0.1

Trench 11

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1100 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.26 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 1101 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silt and clay with 0.3 very frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 1102 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.56 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 1103 Fill Fill of ditch 1105; light yellow and grey brown clay >1,55 1.4 0.34 and sand with orange mottling, firmly compacted 1104 Fill Primary fill of ditch 1105; light grey and yellow >1.55 1.1 0.46 sandy clay with orange mottling, firmly compacted 1105 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned ditch >1.55 1.5 0.7 1106 Fill Secondary fill of ditch 1108; mid grey-brown friable >1.55 1.02 0.52 sandy silt and clay with orange mottling, occasional sub-rounded pebbles and charcoal flecks 1107 Fill Primary fill of ditch 1108: light grey-brown sandy >1.55 0.78 0.18 clay with orange mottling, firmly compacted. 1108 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned ditch; heavily truncated by >1.55 1.12 0.56 later ditches 1105 and 1112 1109 Fill Tertiary fill of ditch 1112; mid grey-brown silt and >1.55 1.32 0.24 clay, softly compacted 1110 Fill Secondary fill of ditch 1112; light grey brown with >1.55 1.2 0.36 orange mottling sandy silt and clay 1111 Fill Primary fill of ditch 1112; light grey-brown sandy >1.55 0.24 0.1 clay, firmly compacted 1112 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned ditch >1.55 1.32 0.68 1113 Fill Fill of ditch 1116 mid-orange brown silt clay with >2.55 1.92 0.16 blue-grey clay lenses and occasional sub-rounded pebbles 1114 Fill Fill of ditch 1116 mid brown grey sandy clay, firmly >2.55 1.68 0.52

compacted with brown mottling and moderate sub- rounded pebbles 1115 Fill Fill of ditch 1116; reddish brown sandy clay with >2.55 0.35 0.18 very occasional charcoal flecks 1116 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned ditch >2.55 1.92 1.1 1117 Fill Fill of land drain cut 1118; redeposited natural and >2.55 0.16 0.28 red clay drainage pipe 1118 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned land drain >2.55 0.16 0.28 1119 Fill Fill of land drain cut 1120; redeposited natural >2.6 0.1 0.48 backfill and red clay drainage pipe 1120 Cut Cut of E-W aligned post-medieval land drain >2.6 0.1 0.48 1121 Deposit Bank on the NE side of Ditches 1105, 1108 and >2.25 4.6 0.36 1112, light yellow and grey-brown clayey sand and silt with abundant sub-rounded and rounded cobbles and pebbles. Common charcoal flecks

Trench 12

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1200 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.3 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 1201 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silt and clay with 0.3 very frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 1202 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.6 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 1203 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned ditch >2 0.45 0.35 1204 Fill Primary fill of ditch 1203; grey-brown silty clay with >2 0.45 0.35 orange mottling, occasional rounded pebbles 1205 Cut Possible cut or root disturbance >0.7 0.3 0.2 1206 Fill Fill of 1205, grey-brown silt and clay with orange >0.7 0.3 0.2 mottling, occasional rounded pebbles 1207 Cut Cut of probable former N-S aligned field boundary >2 2 0.55 ditch 1208 Fill Fill of 1207; light grey-brown sandy silt and clay >2 2 0.55 1209 Cut Cut of NE-SW aligned ditch >5 0.85 0.5 1210 Fill Single fill of 1209, blue-grey silt and clay >5 0.85 0.5 1211 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >7 0.1 0.15 1212 Fill Fill of 1211; includes red clay drainage pipe >7 0.1 0.15 1213 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned field boundary/drainage ditch >2 2 0.35 1214 Fill Fill of 1213 blue-grey sandy silt and clay with >2 2 0.35 orange mottling and common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles

Trench 13

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1300 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.3 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 1301 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.3 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 1302 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.6 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles

1303 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned drainage ditch >3 0.7 0.35 1304 Fill Fill of 1303, grey silty clay with orange mottling >3 0.7 0.35 1305 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned ditch (cuts 1303) >3 0.75 0.35 1306 Fill Single fill of ditch 1305 orangey grey brown sandy >3 0.75 0.35 silt and clay with common rounded and sub-rounded pebbles 1307 Fill Red clay land drain pipe in cut 1303 >3 0.1 0.1

Trench 14

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1400 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.3 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 1401 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.3 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 1402 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- 0.6 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 1403 Cut Cut of NW-SE aligned post-medieval land drain >4m 0.2 0.2 1404 Fill Fill of 1403, includes red clay drainage pipe >4m 0.2 0.2

Trench 15

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 1500 Layer Topsoil: Light grey-brown sandy silt. Loose with 0.3 occasional sub-rounded pebbles inclusions 1501 Layer Subsoil: Mid grey-brown sandy silty clay with very 0.3 frequent rounded and sub-rounded cobbles and pebbles. Heavily disturbed by rooting. 1502 Layer Reddish-orange brown sandy clay with some blue- >0.6 grey clay marbling. Common rounded and sub- rounded cobbles and pebbles. Occasional magnesium flecking and ironstone pebbles 1503 Cut Cut of modern pit (cuts subsoil, seen in section c. 1.2 0.25 along edge of the trench) 1504 Fill Fill of 1503 dark grey sandy silt, contains very c.1.2 0.25 frequent post-medieval ceramic pottery, glass and CBM

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Description Ct. Wt. Date 1106 Post-medieval pottery: oxidised glazed Malvernian ware 1 6 C16-C17 (fabric 69) 1109 Ceramic building material: Flat roof tile 1 23 C13-C18 1110 Post-medieval pottery: oxidised glazed Malvernian ware 1 3 C16-EC17 (fabric 69) 1113 Ceramic building material: Flat roof tile 1 85 C13-C18 1114 Post-medieval pottery: glazed earthenware (fabric 78) 1 35 C18 1121 Post-medieval pottery: oxidised glazed Malvernian ware 1 7 C16-C17 (fabric 69) 1504 Modern pottery: stone ware (fabric 81.4), refined 7 829 LC19-EC20 whiteware (fabric 85), Post-medieval pottery: glazed earthenwares (fabrics 78 4 236 and 90) Glass: bottles 3 874

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in November 2011 at Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire. Fifteen trenches were excavated.

In the west of the site a number of post-medieval or modern land drains and furrows were identified, along with a possible small pit or tree-bole and an undated gully. Project dates 14-21 November 2011 Project type Archaeological Evaluation

Previous work Cotswold Archaeology (CA) 2011 Heritage Desk-Based Assessment Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire Study area (M2/ha) 2.9ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig SP 9210 6603 Grid Reference) PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service (WHEAS) Project Design (WSI) Cotswold Archaeology originator Project Manager Simon Cox (MIFA), Head of Fieldwork Project Supervisor Diarmuid O Seaneachain MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive (museum/Accession no.) Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical NA NA Paper Worcestershire County Museum (WSM 46057) Registers, trench sheets, context sheets, permatrace plans and sections, hardcopy of the evaluation report. Digital Worcestershire County Museum (WSM 46057) Digital photographs, digital copy of the evaluation report BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011: Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold, Worcestershire Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 11293

21 Site

N t 01285 771022 Cotswold f 01285 771033 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold Worcestershire

FIGURE TITLE Worcestershire Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 3622 DATE 06-12-2011 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY PJM REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

land drain ditch 1112 trench trench ditch continues continues 1105 for 7m for 27m ditch 1116

ditch B B A 1108 A

0 3m

Section AA

NE SW 49m AOD

bank topsoil 1100 1121 1103 subsoil1101 1109 subsoil 1106 1101 1104

ditch 1110 1105 1107 ditch ditch 1112 1111 1108 Ditches 1105, 1108 and 1112 viewed from north west (scale 1m) natural 1102

Section BB

NE SW 49m AOD topsoil 1100 subsoil subsoil 1101 1113 1101 Cirencester 01285 771022 land drain Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 1114 e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE ditch Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold 1116 natural 1102 Worcestershire 1115 FIGURE TITLE 01m Trench 11: plan and sections

Trench 11 viewed from north east (scale 1m) PROJECT NO. 3622 DATE 6-12-2011 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY PJM REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:50 & 1:20 3 N

C C

ditch land drain 1211 1207

trench ditch continues 1203 ditch for 35m 1207 ditch 1209 1210

ditch ditch 1205 1207

0 3m

Section CC

topsoil 1200

SE NW 49m AOD subsoil subsoil Ditches 1203, 1205 and 1209 viewed from north west (scales 1m and 0.5m) 1201 1201 1208

1204 ditch 1207 ditch ditch 1209 1210 1203

natural 1202

01m Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land off Crown Lane, Wychbold Worcestershire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 12: plan and section

Trench 12 viewed from north east (scales 1m)

PROJECT NO. 3622 DATE 6-12-2011 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY PJM REVISION 00 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:50 & 1:20 4