Land North of the Old Rectory Elkstone Gloucestershire

LAND NORTH OF THE OLD RECTORY ELKSTONE GLOUCESTERSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRIP, MAP AND SAMPLE

For

MR ALEX LETTS

CA PROJECT: 2824 CA REPORT: 09059

APRIL 2009

LAND NORTH OF THE OLD RECTORY ELKSTONE GLOUCESTERSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRIP, MAP AND SAMPLE

CA PROJECT: 2824 CA REPORT: 09059

prepared by Sian Reynish, Project Supervisor

date 26 March 2009

checked by Laurent Coleman, Project Manager

date 6 April 2009

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date

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 Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. RESULTS ...... 5

3. DISCUSSION ...... 6

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 6

5. REFERENCES ...... 6

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 8 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 8 APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 9

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of investigation (1:500)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land north of the Old Rectory Location: Elkstone, Gloucestershire NGR: SO 9679 1237 Type: Archaeological strip, map and sample Date: 13 March 2009 Planning Reference: 08/01837/FUL Location of Archive: To be deposited with Corinium Museum Site Code: RFE 09

A programme of archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in March 2009 during groundworks associated with the construction of an all- weather horse riding arena at land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire.

A pond of probable medieval date was recorded.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In March 2009 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out a programme of archaeological strip, map and sample for Mr Alex Letts at land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR: SO 9679 1237; Fig. 1). The work was undertaken to fulfil a condition (no. 3) attached to a planning consent for an all-weather horse riding arena in association with domestic use of The Old Rectory (Cotswold District Council Planning ref: 08/01837/FUL). The objective of the archaeological strip, map and sample was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.

1.2 The archaeological strip, map and sample was carried out in accordance with a communication from Charles Parry, Senior Archaeological Officer, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), the Archaeological Advisor to Cotswold District Council (CDC), and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2009) and approved by CDC acting on the advice of Charles Parry. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (2001), the Statement of Standards and Practices Appropriate for Archaeological Fieldwork in Gloucestershire (GCC 1996) and the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991).

The site 1.3 The proposed development area encloses an area of approximately 0.15ha and comprises pasture with an area of plantation along the eastern part of its southern edge. The site is situated on a west-facing slope with a fairly steep gradient and an irregular surface. The site lies at approximately 245m AOD (Fig. 2).

1.4 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Middle Jurassic Fuller’s Earth Formation (BGS 1998). The natural substrate comprising limestone brash was identified during the groundworks.

Archaeological background 1.5 The archaeological potential of the site has been investigated in an archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) by Cotswold Archaeology (CA 2008a), summarised below:

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

1.6 Prehistoric and possible Roman and medieval routeways are recorded in the vicinity of the site which lies only 950m north east of the Ermin Street Roman Road (now the A417). The Portway Roman Road lies immediately east of the site and was once a thoroughfare between Gloucester and the Cotswolds. This road continued in use into the medieval period and is now a narrow lane linking the northern and southern ends of the village of Elkstone.

1.7 There are two findspots of prehistoric artefacts from the wider study area.

1.8 Medieval activity in the vicinity appears to have been focused to the south-west of the site, around Elkstone Manor and the Grade I Listed Church of St John. The site is situated immediately north of the Old Rectory, a Grade II Listed post-medieval building with medieval antecedents. The precise limits of this medieval settlement are currently undefined. The documentary sources indicate a pastoral agricultural use for the site, associated with the Rectory living, from the post-medieval period up to the present day. Many of the earthworks and soilmarks in the vicinity of the site are currently undated but their form suggests that they are most likely to represent drainage and boundary features of medieval to modern date.

1.9 Archaeological evaluation identified a possible post pit of medieval date (CA 2008b).

Methodology 1.10 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2009). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the stripping of the overburden where ground reduction was required (Fig. 2).

1.11 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.12 The archive and artefacts are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Corinium Museum along with the site archive. 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.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

2. RESULTS (FIG. 2)

2.1 The natural geological substrate 2002 consisting of limestone brash was revealed at an average depth of 0.3m below present ground level (bpgl) across the western part of the site. This was overlain by subsoil 2001, which was in turn sealed by topsoil 2000. The subsoil was not stripped from the eastern part of the site.

2.2 At the northern end of the strip, map and sample area, the eastern part of a large, irregular oval feature 2005 was identified cutting the subsoil. This feature was investigated through the machine and hand excavation of a test pit measuring 3m in length and 3m in width. The primary fill 2006 comprised a medium grey brown clay silt and contained three small sherds of medieval pottery. The secondary fill 2007 comprised a highly organic dark grey brown clay silt and contained a single sherd of medieval pottery together with artefactual material of 19th to 20th-century date. Fill 2007 was overlain by make-up deposits 2003 and 2004 which contained modern building material, pottery, metal and plastic objects.

The Finds 2.3 Quantities of metal artefacts, vessel glass, pottery and animal bone were recovered from three deposits (Appendix B).

2.4 Three small bodysherds of medieval pottery were recovered from deposit 2006. Broad dating within the 12th to 13th/early 14th centuries range is suggested on the basis of the (cooking-pot) fabrics, which consist of Cotswolds type oolitic limestone- tempered ware and a probable Malvernian type. A further sherd of medieval pottery, a rim from a Cotswolds type oolitic limestone-tempered fabric, was recovered as a residual find from deposit 2007.

2.5 Pottery from deposit 2004 consists of sherds of glazed earthenware and refined whiteware fabrics, dateable to no earlier than the late 18th century. A modern wire nail was also recovered from this deposit. Material from pond deposit 2007 probably dates to the 19th or earlier 20th centuries and comprises fragments of green bottle glass and items of iron.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The size and shape of feature 2005 suggested that it represented the remains of a pond. The primary fill appeared to represent the silting of the feature and the secondary fill appeared to represent the final silting of the feature and the decomposition of vegetative material. The latter two fills appeared to represent the deliberate backfilling and consolidation of the feature. The recovery of pottery sherds dating to the 12th to 14th centuries suggests that the feature may have been open during the medieval period. The feature was not depicted on either the 1835 Elkstone Parish Enclosure Map or the 1841 Elkstone Parish Tithe Map (the earliest cartographic sources depicting the site in detail) and therefore may have been largely silted to the present ground level by this time. It may have survived as an area of soft ground before finally being backfilled and consolidated during the modern period.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Sian Reynish. The report was written by Sian Reynish. The illustrations were prepared by Rachael Kershaw and the finds report was compiled by ********. The archive has been compiled and prepared for deposition by Victoria Taylor. The project was managed for CA by Laurent Coleman.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 1998 Geological Survey of England and Wales: Solid and Drift Edition Sheet 235: Cirencester, 1:50,000

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008a Land North of The Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment. CA typescript report 08183

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008b Land North of The Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 08236

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Land North of The Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample

Cartographic sources

1835 Elkston Parish Enclosure Map, GRO Q-RI-62 1841 Elkstone Parish Tithe Map, GRO P135 SD2/2

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

No. Type Description Length Width Depth Spot- (m) (m) (m) date 2000 Layer Topsoil 0.15 2001 Layer Subsoil 0.14 2002 Layer Natural substrate 2003 Fill 3rd fill of 2005 13.85 >10 0.11 2004 Fill 4th fill of 2005 8 >6 0.06 C20 2005 Cut Cut for pond 14.5 >10.5 0.52 2006 Fill 1st fill of 2005 0.20 C12- C14 2007 Fill 2nd fill of 2005 14.5 >10.5 0.32 LC19- C20 2008 Cut Cut of Service 32 0.17 >0.12 2009 Fill Fill of service 2008 32 0.17 >0.12

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Description Count Weight Spot-date 2004* Animal bone 1 60 C20 Post-medieval/modern pottery: refined 5 79 whiteware; glazed earthenware Iron nail: cast, round-sectioned 1 - 2006 Animal bone 2 12 C12-C14 Medieval pottery: oolitic limestone- 3 4 tempered; Malvernian coarseware 2007* Medieval pottery: oolitic limestone-tempered 1 25 LC19-C20 Modern pottery: refined whiteware 1 1 Vessel glass: bottle glass 2 12 Iron objects 4 - Animal bone 6 80 *modern material will be discarded

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire. Short description Archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in March 2009 during groundworks associated with the construction of an all-weather horse riding arena at land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire.

The archaeological strip, map and sample revealed a pond of probable medieval date. Project dates 13 March 2009 Project type Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample Previous work Desk-based Assessment and evaluation Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land north of the Old Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire Study area (M2/ha) 0.15ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 9679 1237 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Laurent Coleman Project Supervisor Sian Reynish PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of Content archive Physical Corinium Museum Pottery, animal bone, metal Paper Corinium Museum WSI, trench sheet, context sheets, drawings, photographic registers, colour slides and black and white photographs. Digital Corinium Museum Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Land North of The Rectory, Elkstone, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample. CA typescript report 09059

9 Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109

site

0 2.5km

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

PROJECT TITLE Land north of The Old Rectory Elkstone, Gloucestershire FIGURE TITLE Gloucestershire Site location plan

DRAWN BY SCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. RK 1:25,000@A4 2824 1

1:2,000,000 Reproduced from the 2002 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission 96800 of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office N c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 96850 96800

12400

test pit

2005

pit 1003

12350

The Old Rectory

SO 0 50m

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY site PROJECT TITLE SO Land north of The Old Rectory area of strip, map and sample Elkstone, Gloucestershire archaeological feature FIGURE TITLE The site, showing location of evaluation trench and feature (CA 2008) investigation DRAWN BY SCALE PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO. RK 1:500@A4 2824 2

0 50m St John's Church Mill House 239.2m Manor Farm Cottage The Priests House

Fasit House The h Well c Byr r e w u e h i C V Woolsack Barn Langdale Gr anary Barn