on behalf of Statera Energy Saltholme Cowpen Bewley Stockton-on-Tees post-excavation analysis report 5290 December 2020 Contents 1. Summary 1 2. Project background 2 3. Landuse, topography and geology 3 4. Historical and archaeological background 3 5. The excavation 5 6. The artefacts 23 7. The human remains 43 8. The palaeoenvironmental evidence 52 9. Radiocarbon dating 65 10. Conclusions 65 11. Sources 68 Appendix 1: Data tables 78 Appendix 2: Roman pottery catalogue 116 Appendix 3: Worked lithics catalogue 125 Appendix 4: Articulated skeletons catalogue 128 Appendix 5: Disarticulated skeletons catalogue 131 Appendix 6: Radiocarbon certificates 132 Appendix 7: Stratigraphic matrices 152 Figures Figure 1: Site location Figure 2: Location of excavation Figure 3: Area A, Phase 1 and 2 Figure 4: Area A, Phase 3 Figure 5: Area A, Phase 4 Figure 6: Area A, Phase 5 and 6 Figure 7: Area A, Phase 7 Figure 8: Areas B, C and D, and monitoring Figure 9: Sections 20-34 Figure 10: Sections 35-53, plan 46 Figure 11: Sections 54-82 Figure 12: Sections 83-100 Figure 13: Sections 101-115 Figure 14: Sections 116-135 Figure 15: Sections 136-151, plan 148 Figure 16: Sections 152-161 Figure 17: Illustrated pottery Figure 18: Illustrated flints Photographs Photo 1: Cist F120 after cleaning, looking north Photo 2: Cist F120, Skeleton 1/2, looking north Photo 3: Cist F120 post-excavation, looking north Photo 4: Ditch F122, looking south Photo 5: Ditch F228, looking south Photo 6: Skeleton 3, looking south Photo 7: Ditch F126, looking south Photo 8: Ditch F128, looking east Photo 9: Pit F418, looking south-east Photo 10: Pit F138, looking north Photo 11: Pit F295 (R) cutting ditch F299 (L), looking south Photo 12: Ditch F60, looking west Photo 13: Flue F142, looking south Photo 14: Flue F142, looking east Photo 15: Flue F151, looking north Photo 16: Flue F151, looking east Photo 17: Dark horizon 53 below medieval clay 52, looking south Photo 18: Flue F349, looking east Photo 19: Flue F349, looking west Photo 20: Posthole F372 in flue F349, looking east Photo 21: Ditch F410, looking north Photo 22: Ditch F408, looking east Photo 23: Skeleton 1/2: external surface of occipital bone (A) and close-up of right part (B) with subtle fine porosity (arrows) Photo 24: Skeleton 1/2: external surface of parietal bone (unsided) with porosity (arrows) Photo 25: Skeleton 1/2: striated lamellar bone on the anterior right ulna Photo 26: Skeleton 1/2: lamellar bone on unidentified long bone fragment (arrow) Photo 27: Skeleton 1/2: localised enamel defects in the labial surfaces of the crowns of the lower deciduous canines (A); areas of missing enamel with rounded margins on the buccal crown of the lower left deciduous first molar (B) Photo 28: Skeleton 1/2: distal root of the lower right deciduous first molar divided into two (a), compared to the normal single distal root of the lower left deciduous first molar (b) (inferior view) © Archaeological Services Durham University 2020 Green Lane Durham DH1 3LA tel 0191 334 1121 [email protected] www.dur.ac.uk/archaeological.services Saltholme ∙ Cowpen Bewley ∙ Stockton ∙ post-excavation analysis ∙ report 5290 ∙ December 2020 1. Summary 1.1 This report presents the results of a full analysis of an archaeological excavation conducted for a development at Saltholme, Cowpen Bewley, Stockton-on-Tees. The works comprised the excavation of four areas covering a total area of 3750m2, further sampling of a peat deposit identified during the evaluation, and archaeological monitoring during the topsoil strip for the new development. Following post-excavation assessment, radiocarbon dating and further artefactual analysis was conducted. The results of the assessment and analysis have been incorporated into this report. 1.2 The works were commissioned by Stratera Energy and conducted by Archaeological Services Durham University. 1.3 The excavations revealed part of rural settlement dating from the later 2nd century AD into the 4th century, with the majority of activity being in the later Roman period. A single adult burial indicates that the site continued to be recognised into the early medieval period. A few middle-Iron Age pits and an assemblage of flint artefacts from the later Bronze Age provide some evidence for the earlier occupation of the site. 1.4 The settlement comprised a series of rectilinear ditched enclosures, within which a series of pits, later Roman corn driers, and an infant burial were identified. The settlement was primarily agricultural in nature, principly focused on spelt and hulled 6-row barley, together with cattle and sheep. The lack of evidence for domestic dwellings may indicate that the area investigated was on the periphery of a larger settlement. The palaeoenvironmental assemblage, pottery assemblage, and the date range and site development are closely paralled at other Roman sites in the region, including villa sites such as Ingleby Barwick. The presence of Roman roof tile may indicate the presence of a regionally high status building in the vicinity. Archaeological Services Durham University 1 Saltholme ∙ Cowpen Bewley ∙ Stockton ∙ post-excavation analysis ∙ report 5290 ∙ December 2020 2. Project background Location (Figure 1) 2.1 The site is located on land south-east of Cowpen Bewley, Stockton-on-Tees (NGR centre: NZ 4895 2385). The development area was approximately 5 ha; excavation areas totalled 3750m2. Agricultural land surrounds the site, with an electricity sub- station to the south-east and the A1185 to the east. Development 2.2 A gas-fired electricity generating facility is to be constructed on the site. The site is split into two schemes to the north and south. The planning application reference numbers are 18/2079/FUL and 18/2082/FUL. Objective 2.3 The objective of the scheme of works was to analyse the data produced from the excavations, so that a coherent narrative for the site could be produced, set within its regional context. Research Objectives 2.4 The regional research framework (Petts & Gerrard 2006) contains an agenda for archaeological research in the region, which is incorporated into regional planning policy implementation with respect to archaeology. In this instance, the scheme of works was designed to address agenda items Ri: Iron Age to Roman transition; Riv: Roman native and civilian life; Rv: Roman material culture; and Rix: Roman landscape and environment. Methods statement 2.5 The works have been undertaken in accordance with an Updated Project Design produced by Archaeological Services (2000a). Dates 2.6 Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th March and 18th April 2019. Archaeological monitoring during construction was undertaken between 31st July and 19th August 2019. This report was prepared for December 2020. Personnel 2.7 Fieldwork was conducted by Daniel Adamson, Jonathan Goldberg, Stuart Johnston, Jeff Lowrey, Ben Matus, Meghan McCarthy, Adam Mead, Al Rae, Geno Naughton, Alice Naylor, Jenny Richards, Laura Watson, Rachel Wells and Hannah Woodrow, with Jamie Armstrong, Matt Claydon and Andy Platell (supervisors). Sample processing was undertaken by Jonathan Goldberg-Booth, Jeff Lowrey, Ben Matus, Meghan McCarthy and Alice Naylor. This report was prepared by Andy Platell, with illustrations by Dr Helen Drinkall and Hannah Woodrow. The artefacts were drawn by Janine Watson. Specialist reporting was conducted by Dr Anwen Caffell (human remains), Alex Croom (Roman pottery and registered finds), Felicity Wild (Samian), Kay Hartley (mortaria), by Dr Craig Barclay (Roman coins), Dr Helen Drinkall (lithics), David Heslop (quern), Dr Louisa Gidney (animal bone), Jennifer Jones (other artefacts) and Dr Ed Treasure (palaeoenvironmental). Archaeological Services Durham University 2 Saltholme ∙ Cowpen Bewley ∙ Stockton ∙ post-excavation analysis ∙ report 5290 ∙ December 2020 Archive/OASIS 2.8 The site code is CBS19, for Cowpen Bewley, Saltholme 2019. Numbers continue sequentially from those used in the evaluation. The archive is currently held by Archaeological Services Durham University and will be transferred to Tees Archaeology in due course. The flots and charred plant remains will be retained at Archaeological Services Durham University. Archaeological Services Durham University is registered with the Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS project (OASIS). The OASIS ID number for this project is archaeol3- 41110. 3. Landuse, topography and geology 3.1 At the time of the excavation, the development area comprised part of a single field of pasture. 3.2 The site was almost level with a mean elevation of approximately 5m OD. It lies on the edges of the Greatham Marshes, an area of tidal mudflats along the estuary of the River Tees that is now heavily industrialised. 3.3 The bedrock geology of the area comprises Permian and Triassic strata of the Sherwood Sandstone Group, which are overlain by Devensian glaciolacustrine deposits (The British Geological Society). 4. Previous archaeological works Previous archaeological works 4.1 Numerous archaeological works are recorded in the vicinity of the site, three of which were within the site boundary and the results of these are set out below. 4.2 A geophysical survey was undertaken in the north-west part of the site in 2018 (Gater 2018). This detected two former field boundaries, also evident on old mapping, and ridge and furrow cultivation. Vegetation cover had prevented the survey from covering the whole of the site. 4.3 Fieldwalking was undertaken in 2009 (HER 667) along the route of a proposed gas pipeline route that now traverses the eastern part of the site. The works recorded several archaeological features. 4.4 Part of the development area was also included within an archaeological desk-based assessment completed in 2011 (HER 1345) for the upgrading of overhead power lines; this recommended further survey and mitigation measures. Archaeological assessment 4.5 Two detailed archaeological desk-based assessments have been conducted for the development (Archaeological Services 2018b and 2018c); the results of these assessments are summarised below.