Land at Middle Hill Chalford Gloucestershire

Land at Middle Hill Chalford

Gloucestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

for Edgemore Developments Limited

CA Project: CR0156

August 2019

Land at Middle Hill Chalford Gloucestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: CR0156 CA Report: CR0156_1

Document Control Grid Reasons for Approved Revision Date Author Checked by Status revision by 5 August Alex Steve Cliff A Final 2019 Thomson Sheldon Bateman

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 3

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 5

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 5

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) ...... 6

6. DISCUSSION ...... 6

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

8. REFERENCES ...... 8

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 9 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing identified archaeological features and previous geophysical survey results (1:750) Fig. 3 Trench 4: plan, section and photographs (1:200 & 1:20)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

Summary

Project Name: Land at Middle Hill Location: Chalford, Stroud, Gloucestershire NGR: 389556 203490 Type: Evaluation Date: 31 July - 2 August 2019 Planning Reference: SDC ref: S.18/2698/FUL Location of Archive: To be deposited with Museum in the Park, Stroud Site Code: CAMHC 19

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in July and August 2019 on land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire. Four trenches were excavated.

An undated hollow way was identified within the south-east of site, correlating to a feature highlighted by a preceding geophysical survey.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In July and August 2019 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Edgemore Developments Limited on land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire (centred at NGR: 389556 203490; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany a planning application, submitted to Stroud District Council (SDC; ref: S.18/2698/FUL), for residential development with associated vehicular and pedestrian access, landscaping and associated works

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with recommendations for archaeological evaluation made by Charles Parry, Archaeologist, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), the archaeological advisor to SDC, and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2019) and approved by Charles Parry. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). It was monitored by Charles Parry, including a site visit on 1 August 2019.

The site 1.3 The proposed development area measures 0.8ha and comprises a pastoral field. The site is bounded to the north-east by the road of Middle Hill, to the south and east by residential development and gardens, and to the north and west by further agricultural fields. The site lies at approximately 195m AOD but drops gently to the west.

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as limestone of the Great Oolite Group, formed during the Jurassic Period (BGS 2019). The natural substrate identified during the course of the evaluation consisted of limestone brash within a light brown and reddish-yellow clay matrix.

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The site has previously been subject to an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA; CgMs 2018) and geophysical survey (AS 2019). These reports are summarised briefly below.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

2.2 Current evidence indicates that the local landscape was utilised in the prehistoric period, with remains of barrows and flint artefacts indicating that the Chalford Hill plateau has been an area of settlement from as early as the Neolithic/Bronze Age period (Paterson 2006). Evidence of prehistoric activity within the immediate vicinity of the site is limited to the discovery of a ground flint axe, with re-flaking of its cutting edge, found directly to the west of the proposed development site (CgMs 2018). Nearby, prehistoric evidence is also known from an archaeological watching brief carried out to the immediate north of the site, at Middle Hill Farm, which identified a large collection of flint (ibid.). A number of barrows and possible barrows are also known throughout the surrounding area (ibid.).

2.3 It is possible that the proposed development may be situated close to a Roman road (Middle Hill Road); although unconfirmed, its straightness is suggestive of a Roman origin (ibid.). Roman activity identified nearby includes settlement evidence identified c. 200m to the north during an excavation at Middle Hill Farm. This settlement may relate to the discovery of six Roman altars (the ‘Bisley Altars’), Roman pottery and a 2nd-century coin, during excavations into a probable barrow in the 19th century (ibid.).

2.4 Limited evidence for Saxon, medieval or post-medieval remains are present in the area around the site. It is likely that the site and surrounding area were part of the common land associated with Bisley and Chalford during these periods, with the site area first appearing on historic mapping in 1869, on the Bisley Enclosure map. The 1885 Ordnance Survey map shows the site entirely within a single field, surrounded by trees, the layout of which has remained unchanged until the present day (ibid.).

2.5 A geophysical survey undertaken in 2019 (AS 2019; see also Fig. 2 of this report) located a positive linear anomaly in the south-eastern part of the survey area, which appears to relate to a former footpath or track, pre-dating the current field layout. A number of other anomalies were also identified; the majority of which correspond to shallow surface features and agricultural activity. Widespread naturally formed anomalies were also evident (ibid.).

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation were to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality, in accordance Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). This information will enable Stroud District Council to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of four trenches in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). Two trenches measured 30m in length, the remaining trenches measured 15m in length; all were 1.8m wide. The trenches targeted anomalies identified during the preceding geophysical survey (AS 2019; see Archaeological Background above). The trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual.

4.2 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.

4.3 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 but no deposits were identified that required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation.

4.4 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

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

will be deposited with Museum in the Park, Stroud. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)

5.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts can be found in Appendix A.

5.2 The general stratigraphic sequence identified across site was broadly uniform, with the natural geological substrate observed at an average depth of 0.29m below present ground level (bpgl). This was generally sealed by 0.08m of subsoil and 0.21m of topsoil.

5.3 An undated hollow way was identified in Trench 4 and no archaeological features or deposits were identified within the remaining trenches. The recorded feature correlated closely with an anomaly identified during the preceding geophysical survey, and further anomalies were found to correspond to geological variation (see Fig. 2).

Trench 4 (Figs 2 & 3) 5.4 Cutting subsoil 401, hollow way 404 was recorded within the eastern extent of Trench 4 (Fig. 3, Section AA). It was aligned broadly north-east/south-west and measured 1.02m in width, 0.12m in depth and continued beyond the limit of the excavated trench. It contained undated silty-clay fill 403. Hollow way 404 correlates closely to a linear anomaly identified by the preceding geophysical survey, which shows the feature continuing to the north-east and south-west.

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 The evaluation identified one feature of archaeological interest during the course of the fieldwork. Undated hollow way 404, recorded in Trench 4, correlated well to an anomaly identified by the preceding geophysical survey and most probably relates to the effect of repeated pedestrian, animal and vehicular traffic across the field in which the site is situated. The route appears to run to/from Middle Hill road to the north and the fields to the south of the site. Whilst the route is not shown on historic

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

cartographic sources, a lane is depicted to the east of the current site from at least the 1840s, on the Gloucestershire Enclosure mapping, running north from Burcombe Road to the south; it is possible that this is a formalisation of an earlier hollow way, with the lane remaining as a footpath until the present day.

6.2 Features relating to geological variation were identified within all trenches, correlating to anomalies highlighted by the geophysical survey. These consisted of areas of silty-clay within the wider limestone brash.

6.3 The evaluation results broadly correspond with the conclusions of the preceding desk-based assessment (CgMs 2018; see Archaeological Background above), which suggested that the site lies within an area that has been used for pastoral agricultural practice, as part of the common land associated with Bisley and Chalford, since at least the medieval period.

7. CA PROJECT TEAM

7.1 Fieldwork was undertaken by Monica Fombellida, assisted by Susan Walker. The report was written by Alex Thomson. The illustrations were prepared by Amy Wright. The archive has been compiled by Monica Fombellida, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Alex Thomson.

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

8. REFERENCES

AS (Archaeological Surveys) 2019 Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Magnetometer Survey Report, AS ref. no. J796

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2019 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 5 August 2019

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2019 Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

CgMs 2018 Land at Chalford, Stroud, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, CgMs ref. no. NAW/24137

Paterson, N. M. 2006 The Vernacular Architecture and Buildings of Stroud and Chalford, Trafford Publishing

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Context Type Fill of Description L (m) W (m) D (m) No. No. interpretation 1 100 Layer Topsoil Reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >15 >1.8 0.2 1 101 Layer Subsoil Light reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >15 >1.8 0.09 Limestone brash within a light 1 102 Layer Natural substrate reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >15 >1.8 matrix 2 200 Layer Topsoil Reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >30 >1.8 0.24 2 201 Layer Subsoil Light reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >30 >1.8 0.03 Limestone brash within a light 2 202 Layer Natural substrate reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >30 >1.8 matrix Fill of geological 2 203 Fill 204 Light yellow-brown silty-clay >1.8 2.16 0.32 feature Geological Amorphous, E/W aligned linear with 2 204 Cut >1.8 2.16 0.32 feature irregular sides and base 3 300 Layer Topsoil Reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >30 >1.8 0.22 3 301 Layer Subsoil Reddish-orange-brown silty-clay >30 >1.8 0.09 Limestone brash within a light 3 302 Layer Natural substrate yellow-brown and red-brown silty- >30 >1.8 clay matrix 4 400 Layer Topsoil Reddish--brown silty-clay >15 >1.8 0.2 4 401 Layer Subsoil Reddish--brown silty-clay >15 >1.8 0.1 Limestone brash within a red-brown 4 402 Layer Natural substrate >15 >1.8 silty-clay matrix 4 403 Fill 404 Fill of hollow way Light yellow-brown silty-clay >1.8 1.02 0.12 NE/SW aligned linear with gradually 4 404 Cut Hollow way >1.8 1.02 0.12 sloping sides and flat base

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in July and August 2019 on land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire. Four trenches were excavated. Short description An undated hollow way was identified within the south-east of site, correlating to a feature highlighted by a preceding geophysical survey. Project dates 31 July – 2 August 2019 Project type Field evaluation Desk-Based Assessment: CgMs 2018 Previous work Geophysical Survey: AS 2019 Future work Unknown

PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire Study area 0.8ha Site co-ordinates 389556 203490 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Gloucestershire County Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Alex Thomson Project Supervisor Monica Fombellida MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None

PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content

Physical N/A N/A Field recording sheets Paper Museum in the Park, Stroud and drawings Digital photos, typescript Digital Museum in the Park, Stroud report, etc. BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2019 Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation, CA typescript report CR0156_1

10 391000 389000

205000

203000

201000

WORCESTERSHIRE Andover 01264 347630 N Cirencester 01285 771022 COUNTY OF Exeter 01392 573970 HEREFORDSHIRE Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

MONMOUTHSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE PROJECT TITLE

TORFAEN Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, OXFORDSHIRE Gloucestershire

LLY FIGURE TITLE NEWPORT SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Site location plan

CITY OF WEST BRISTOL NORTH BOUROUGH OF BERKSHIRE 0 1km SOMERSET SWINDON BATH AND DRAWN BY AW PROJECT NO. CR0156 FIGURE NO. NE SOMERSET WILTSHIRE © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05.08.19 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 APPROVED BY AT SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 389500 N

Site boundary Evaluation trench Archaeological feature Natural Electric cable and 3m buffer Water pipeline and 3m buffer

Geophysical survey results T1 (Archaeological Surveys, 2019) Positive linear anomaly - possible former path/trackway Positive linear anomaly - possible former field boundary Middle Hi 203500 Positive linear anomaly - possible ditch-like feature ll Negative linear anomaly - material of low magnetic susceptibility T2 Linear anomaly - of agricultural origin Positive linear/curvilinear response - of natural origin Discrete positive response - possible pit-like feature Discrete positive response - natural pit-like feature Magnetic debris - spread of manetically thermoremnant/ ferrous material Strong multiple dipolar linear anomaly - pipeline/cable/service T3

0 1:750 25m

© Crown copyright and database rights 2019 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 hollow way 404 Andover 01264 347630 dermere Cirencester 01285 771022 Win T4 Exeter 01392 573970 (see figure 3) Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Trench location plan, showing identified archaeological features and previous geophysical survey results

DRAWN BY AW PROJECT NO. CR0156 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05.08.19 APPROVED BY AT SCALE@A3 1:750 2 Trench 4 N Section AA

SE NW 194.2m Evaluation trench AOD Archaeological feature (excavated/unexcavated) 400 A A 401 Section location 401 403 A hollow way A 404

0 1:200 10m 011:20 m

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 573970 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Trench 4, looking north-west (1m scales) Holloway 404, looking south-west (1m scale) Land at Middle Hill, Chalford, Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 4: plan, section and photographs

DRAWN BY AW PROJECT NO. CR0156 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 05.08.19 APPROVED BY AT SCALE@A3 1:200; 1:20 3