Manor Farm Nether Worton Oxfordshire Archaeological Watching Brief

for Faccenda Property

CA Project: 660078 Accession no: OXCMS: 2015.142 CA Report: 15556

July 2015

Manor Farm Nether Worton Oxfordshire

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 660078 Accession no: OXCMS: 2015.142 CA Report: 15556

Document Control Grid Version Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by Draft 29-7 SCC Internal review

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

SUMMARY ...... 3

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 4

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 5

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 6

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 6

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-15) ...... 6

6. THE FINDS ...... 9

7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ...... 9

8. DISCUSSION ...... 10

9. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 10

10. REFERENCES ...... 11

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 112

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 14

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 14

APPENDIX E: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 15

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan, 1:25,000 Fig. 2 Plan showing the areas of archaeological monitoring and investigation, 1:500 Fig. 3 View of manor farm, looking south-west Fig. 4 The wooden pipes in situ, looking east Fig. 5 The connection point of two pipes, showing the tapered end of one inserted into the bore of the other Fig. 6 Detail of the augered bore at one end of the wooden pipe sections (bore dia. c. 160mm) Fig. 7 Detail of the tapered end of one of the wooden pipe sections Fig. 8 Detail of the hole for a vertical pipe at the east end of the wooden pipe Fig. 9 Seventeenth century illustration showing manufacture of wooden pipes Fig. 10 The farm outbuildings, looking south-east Fig. 11 Ground reduction in the former farmyard area, looking south-west Fig. 12 View of manor farm during renovation, with pond site under excavation in foreground, looking east Fig. 13 Section and photograph of ditch 404, looking south Fig. 14 Section and photograph of ditch 407, looking north Fig. 15 William III half penny coin c.1695-1702 Fig. 16 map (to be obtained)

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Manor Farm, Nether Worton Location: Nether Worton, Oxfordshire NGR: SP 4276 3019 Type: Watching Brief Date: 5 September to 29 June 2015 Planning Reference: West Oxfordshire District Council 12/0649/P/FP Location of Archive: Oxfordshire County Museum Service Accession Number: OXCMS:2015.142 Site Code: MFNW15

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with a barn conversion and associated construction and landscaping at Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire.

Four areas of site were monitored including foundation trenches for barn extensions, ground reduction for the construction of a swimming pool and the excavation of a pond. Within the foundation trenches the remains of a water pipe was excavated constructed from the hollowed out trucks of three trees. These relate to an early phase of Manor Farm.

Two north-south ditches were revealed in the north of site. One was a relatively shallow possible ornamental moat which contained Medieval pottery dating to the 11th to 14th centuries. The other remained undated, probably part of a boundary/enclosure ditch.

A William III half penny coin was also recovered during the topsoil strip of the pond area.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Between September 2013 and June 2015, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) maintained an archaeological watching brief at Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire (site centred at NGR: SP 4276 3019; Fig. 1). The work, which was commissioned by Faccenda Properties, was carried out during works associated with the conversion of a barn and associated construction works and landscaping.

1.2 Full planning permission for the development has been granted by West Oxfordshire District Council (planning application ref. 12/0649/P/FP), subject to an archaeological watching brief being undertaken during works associated with the development. Conditions 9 and 10, which were requested by Hugh Coddington, Oxfordshire County Archaeological Services (OCAS), state that:

1.3 ‘An archaeological watching brief shall be maintained during the course of works affecting the historic fabric and any groundworks taking place on the site in accordance with a written specification that has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.’

1.4 ‘…no development shall commence on site without the appointed archaeologist being present. Once the watching brief has been completed, its findings shall be reported to the Local Planning Authority…’

The Site 1.5 The proposed development site, which covers an area of c. 3.4ha, is located at Manor Farm, in the historic core of the village of Nether Worton, approximately 10km to the south of Banbury, Oxfordshire. The village, which nestles in a small valley below the wooded slopes of Hawk Hill, is set within a rural, agricultural landscape of hedged, medium-sized and large irregularly-shaped arable and pasture fields, with scattered farms, small villages and woods. A small stream flows eastwards, passing the southern boundary of the site, to join the River Cherwell to the south-east of Deddington.

1.6 The proposed development area is situated on a gentle, south-facing slope at approximately 97m above Ordnance Datum (aOD). The solid geology comprises Jurassic dark grey shale and dark, pale or bluish-grey mudstone of the Charmouth

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Mudstone Formation, with superficial deposits of alluvium close to the stream (BGS 2015).

2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The Oxfordshire Historic Environment Record (HER) contains entries for a number of archaeological sites and historic buildings in the vicinity of the site (http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/). The HER reference numbers are given in parenthesis in the text.

2.2 The earliest known archaeological site in the area is the Iron Age univallate hillfort of Ilbury Camp (HER 2320), located c. 1km to the east-north-east, on the ridge of high ground on the north side of the valley. The ramparts on the western side of the hillfort are well-preserved, although the eastern half has largely been ploughed out, and there is an entrance to the enclosure at the south-east corner. Iron Age and Roman pottery has been recovered from the interior of the monument. Cropmarks indicate a possible sub-rectangular enclosure on the south slope below Hawk Hill, which may be of Iron Age or Roman date (HER 12209). Approximately 1.4km to the north of the site, 2nd-century Roman pottery was found during ditch digging at Ilbury Farm (HER 9650).

2.3 The medieval church and churchyard of St James (Grade II*) lies immediately to the south of the site, beyond the stream (HER 4741). The church dates from the 14th century and contains elements of Early English and Decorated stonework; the tower is later in date, probably dating to around 1630, and the church was restored in 1883.

2.4 At the western edge of the site is a shallow, linear depression that may be the remains of a medieval moated manor house (HER 9289). Further afield, approximately 1km to the west of the site, a deep, sunken lane leading over Raven Hill may be medieval in origin (HER 12208).

2.5 The farmhouse at Manor Farm (Grade II) dates to the 17th century, with extensive 19th century alterations. Other historic buildings in the village include: the Jacobean manor house (HER 4739), Nether Worton House (Grade II*) and associated ornamental moat (HER 4656); a 17th-century house (Grade II) on the road passing

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

through the village, now converted into three cottages (HER 23838); and the 18th- century house and 19th-century school building (Grade II) adjacent to the church (HER 1161).

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the watching brief were, with the resources available, to investigate and record any archaeological features or deposits that may be encountered during groundworks associated with the development.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2012). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising a the foundations for a barn extension, ground reduction for a swimming pool and extensive landscaping including the excavation of a pond (Fig. 2).

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

4.3 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 artefacts will be deposited with Oxfordshire County Museum Service (OCMS) under accession number OXCMS:2015.142, along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix D will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-15)

5.1 The ground works were split into three main areas, the foundation trenches to a new extension to the north of Manor Farm; the ground reduction for a barn extension; the ground reduction for the swimming pool; and the landscaping of the grounds including the excavation of a pond.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Foundation Trenches (FIG. 2-8) 5.2 A 1m wide trench was excavated forming an east/west rectangle measuring 20m by 5m to the north of Manor Farm. It had a maximum depth of 1.5m and was excavated through approximately 0.68m of modern tarmac and madeground overlying the natural geology of mid grey blue clay (104).

5.3 A wooden water pipe, constructed using the hollowed out trunks of trees, was revealed within the southern foundation trench at a depth of approximately 1.4m. This was placed in the base of pipe trench 108 on an east/west alignment. The pipe was made using three lengths of trunk 105, 106 and 107 measuring 6.1m, 3.7m and more than 2.7m in length respectively. Each pipe had a diameter of roughly 0.3m and an internal diameter of c.0.13m. Trench 108 was seen only to be excavated from the top of the natural clay (104) and was deliberately backfilled with redeposited natural clay (109). No other artefacts or dating were recovered from within pipe trench 108.

Barn Extension 5.4 To the immediate east of the barn a 25m by 15m trench was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.66m. It was excavated through a 0.44m thick layer of mixed made ground comprising tarmac and stone (201). The undisturbed natural was not reached within this trench. The west of the trench was disturbed by the modern truncation 203. It measured over 5m across and contained a deliberate backfill of dark green and blue mixed clay with occasional inclusions of porcelain sherds (202). This truncated the mid yellow brown silty clay subsoils of (205) and (215) in the east.

5.5 Two tree boles and the Post-Medieval or Modern remains of five animal burials were found to truncate the subsoil of (205). No significant archaeological remains were found.

Swimming Pool 5.6 The trench for the swimming pool measured approximately 6m by 16m. It had a final depth of 2m; however the natural geology of firm grey blue clay, (302), was reached at a depth of 0.15m. Overlying this was a 0.05m deep layer of mid orange brown silty clay (301). This had probably been truncated at some point and directly underlay 0.1m of made ground comprising mid brown silty clay containing frequent rubble and stone (300). No archaeology was observed within this trench.

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

Pond (Fig. 12-15) 5.7 The natural geological substrate (403) comprised a mix of mid grey blue and yellow brown, alluvial clay and mudstone at an average depth of 0.6m below current ground level. This was sealed by approximately 0.31m of mid-yellow brown, silty clay subsoil (401), overlain by a mid grey brown silty clay topsoil (400). The topsoil contained multiple inclusions of post medieval refuse from extensive land use and possible previous landscaping including a William III half penny coin; contemporary with the building of the 17th century farmhouse (Fig. 15).

5.8 In the south west corner of site closest to the farmhouse, was located a deposit of dark greyish brown material heavily composed of rotting turf (402); the result of a spoil heap from a previous area of excavation.

5.9 The southern extent of the site was at a lower height than the north and thus was only topsoil stripped to be built up using the excavated materials from the landscaping of the pond. No archaeology was observed within this area and this is also the case with two proposed islands situated in the middle of the pond.

5.10 Two ditches, 404 and 407, were revealed in the north of the stripped area, both on a north/south alignment. Ditch 404 measured 1.58m wide and 0.75m deep and contained two fills, (405) and (406), of silty clay formed through secondary silting. No finds or datable evidence were recovered from either fill.

5.11 Roughly 15m to the west ditch 407, measuring 3.96m wide and 0.89m deep, contained two silty clay fills deriving from secondary silting, (408) and (409), and one possible tertiary fill (410). It is likely that (408) is also the result of some deliberate deposition of refuse and contained a small assemblage of Medieval pottery dated to between the 11th and 14th centuries and a collection of animal bone, most of which were unidentifiable owing to degradation. The western edge of the ditch was lined by large, >0.2m diameter, stones local origin which can be seen along the whole length of the exposed feature in plan. Two prehistoric struck flints were also recovered from (408) which are residual and likely to have washed in through erosion.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Watching Brief

6. THE FINDS

6.1 Artefactual material from watching brief was hand-recovered from two deposits: a moat fill and subsoil. The recovered material dates to the prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval periods. Quantities of the artefact types recovered are given in Appendix B. The pottery has been recorded according to sherd count/weight per fabric. Medieval fabric does are equated to the Oxfordshire type series as defined by Mellor (1994).

6.2 Pottery: medieval Fill 408 of moat 407 produced 12 sherds (117g) in moderate to good condition. Included were: a base sherd from a vessel in Brill/Boarstall ware (OXAW), which was manufactured at Brill and Boarstall in Buckinghamshire during the 13th and 14th centuries (Mellor 1994, 111–40); and 11 sherds of Late Saxon and Early Medieval Oxford Ware (OXY), which dates from the late 11th to mid 13th centuries and is thought to have been manufactured in north Oxfordshire (ibid., 63–71). The latter includes a rim sherd from a jar with a thickened, everted rim in a reduced version of the fabric.

6.3 Lithics Two struck flint flakes, broadly dateable to the prehistoric period, were recorded as residual items in fill 408 of moat 407.

6.4 Metal object A William III copper halfpenny, its obverse legend reading “Tertius”, was recovered from topsoil 400. It dates to c. 1695 to 1701.

7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Animal Bone 7.1 An assemblage of 205 fragments (124g) of animal bone was recovered from deposit 408, a fill of moat feature 407. The bone was poorly preserved and very highly fragmented rendering 76% of the material unidentifiable to species. However it was possible to identify fragments of cattle (Bos taurus) skull and a single tarsal bone of a horse (Equus callabus). Although re-fitting was not possible, it is likely that the cattle bones originate from a single skull. No cut marks associated with butchery practice were observed.

7.2 The assemblage was not recovered in association with any datable artefacts so there is no further useful interpretative information to be gained beyond species identification.

8. DISCUSSION

8.1 Two areas of archaeological interest were found during the course of this watching brief, the wooden water pipe excavated in the foundation trenches to the immediate north of Manor Farm and the two ditches revealed in the north of site.

8.2 The wooden pipe, constructed from hollowed our tree trunks, are possibly related to the original construction of the Manor Farm house which dates to the 17th century. These types of pipes were in use from the 13th to 18th centuries so they could also be related to a building predating the current house.

8.3 The two ditches, 404 and 407 in the north of site are parallel and which could indicate they are of a similar age. Only the western ditch 407 was dated with pottery from the 11th to 14th centuries. This is evidence for the possible earlier phases of residence on Manor Farm predating the current 17th century house. It is possible that ditch 407 may be the remains of an ornamental moat owing to the possible lining of stones along the western edge; and its width and relative shallowness.

9. CA PROJECT TEAM

The fieldwork was undertaken by Mark Patenall and Andy Whelan, assisted by Dan Riley, Paolo Clemente, Dan Stone and Edwin Pearson. The report was written by Andy Whelan and Simon Carlyle, with contributions from Ralph Brown, and the illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been compiled by Emily Evans and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Simon Carlyle.

10. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2015 Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 27 November 2015

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

GCC (Gloucestershire County Council) 2006 The Old Vicarage, Sevenhampton: Brief for Archaeological Recording

Mellor, M. 1994 ‘A Synthesis of Middle and Late Saxon, Medieval and Early Post-medieval Pottery in the Oxford Region’. Oxoniensia. LIX, 17–217.

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill Context Context Description Length Width Thickness of Interpretation (m) (m) (m) Foundatoin 100 Layer Tarmac Dark grey tarmac 0.1 trench Foundatoin 101 Layer Levelling Layer Light white grey crushed 0.6 trench stone Foundatoin 102 Layer Levelling Layer Light grey clay and 0.5 trench limestone fragments Foundatoin 103 Layer Topsoil Light grey clay with 0.23 trench frequent stones Foundatoin 104 Layer Natural Blue grey clays with trench occasional stones Foundatoin 105 Timber 108 Water Pipe Section 1 of wooden water 6.1 0.3 0.27 trench pipe roughly hewn from tree trunk with squared ends and central linear round bore, a vertical bore hole at east end and chamfered internal bore at west end for insertion of section 2. Foundatoin 106 Timber 108 Water Pipe Section 2 of wooden water 3.45 0.23 u/k trench pipe as section 1 but without vertical bore, externally chamfered on east end for insertion into section 1. Squared with internal chamfer on west end for insertion of section 3. Foundatoin 107 Timber 108 Water Pipe Section 3 of wooden water 2.7 >0.1 u/k trench pipe as section 2 with external chamfer on east end. This section extends beyond edge of excavation towards west. Foundatoin 108 Cut Pipe Trench Vertical side and flat base, >12m 0.33 0.33 trench only partially visible. Unclear in baulk section. Foundatoin 109 Fill 108 Secondary Fill Blue grey clay blends in >12m 0.33 0.33 trench with natural. Barn 200 Layer Yard surface Concrete >25 >15 0.08 Extension Barn 201 Layer Made Ground Firm layers of tarmac and >25 >15 0.44 Extension stones Barn 202 Fill 203 Deliberate Dark green and blue clay >25 7m >0.33 Extension Backfill mix, firm clay, rare inclusions of broken china sherds Barn 203 Cut Modern Not excavated, steep >25 7m >0.33 Extension truncation sides at the top Barn 204 Layer Made Ground Firm light blue grey with >25 >15 0.54 Extension brown motling occasional patches of sand and gravel Barn 205 Layer Subsoil Firm mid brown grey >15 >11 >0.02 Extension sandy clay, ironstone and magneseum flecks Barn 206 Fill 207 Secondary Fill Mixed light blue grey to 0.56 0.54 0.15 Extension yellow brown, firm clay Barn 207 Cut Treebole Circular with steep 0.56 0.54 0.15 Extension concave irregular sides

Barn 208 Fill 209 Secondary Fill Firm light blue grey with 1.11 1.08 0.18 Extension yellow motling, clay Barn 209 Cut Treebole Circular with irrecular 1.11 1.08 0.18 Extension steep concave sides Barn 210 Animal Modern animal Unexccavated, oval in 0.58 0.48 Extension Burial burial shape, containing firm mid blue grey clay and animal bone Barn 211 Animal Modern animal Unexcavated, rectangular 1.66 0.82 Extension Burial burial in shape containing firm mixed blue grey silty clay with brown patches with animal bone and wood inclusions Barn 212 Animal Modern animal Unexccavated, oval in 0.8 0.7 Extension Burial burial shape, containing firm mid blue grey clay and animal bone Barn 213 Animal Modern animal Unexccavated, oval in 0.5 0.32 Extension Burial burial shape, containing firm mid blue grey clay and animal bone Barn 214 Animal Modern animal Unexcavated, rectangular 1.1 0.8 Extension Burial burial in shape containing firm mixed grey and brown silty clay with animal bone and wood inclusions Swimmimg 300 Layer Made Ground Firm brown silty clay with >16 >6 0.1 pool frequent rubble and gravely stones Swimmimg 301 Layer Subsoil Firm mid orange brown >16 >6 0.05 pool silty clay Swimmimg 302 Layer Natural Firm mid grey blue clay >16 >6 >1.85 pool Pond 400 Layer Topsoil Friable light grey brownn >75 >25 0.29 clay silt, occassional inclusions of post med refuse and angular stones Pond 401 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow brown, firm >75 >25 0.31 silty clay occasional small to mid angular stone Pond 402 Layer Modern Dark grey brown, loose 0.18 deliberate dump silty clay frequent organic of spoil inclusions composed of rotting turf Pond 403 Layer Natural Firm mid grey blue and >75 >25 >1 yellow brown clay and mudstone Pond 404 Cut Ditch N-S linear steep concave >18 1.58 0.75 west edge and shallow conave east edge, concave base Pond 405 Fill 404 Secondary Fill Firm mid blue grey silty >1 0.52 0.3 clay, occasional small stone inclusions Pond 406 Fill 404 Secondary Fill Firm mid grey brown silty >1 1.58 0.55 clay and occasional small stone inclusions Pond 407 Cut Ditch/moat N-S linear, shallow >15 3.96 0.89 concave sides and base lined with stone alond west edge Pond 408 Fill 407 Secondary Fill Firm mid grey brown silty >1 3.6 0.75 clay, occasional stone inclusions Pond 409 Fill 407 Secondary Fill Frim mid brown grey silty >1 3.33 0.57 clay, occasional small rounded stone inclusions Pond 410 Fill 407 Secondary Fill Firm mid orange brown >1 0.82 0.19 silty clay, occasional small to mid stone inclusions

Pond 411 Cut Field Drain NW-SE linear vertical >15 0.36 0.65 straight sides Pond 412 Fill 411 Deliberate redeposited natural >15 0.36 0.65 Backfill

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Category Description Fabric code Count Weight (g) Spot-date 400 Copper alloy object Coin 1 7 LC17 408 Medieval pottery Brill Boarstall ware OXAW 1 29 C13-C14 Medieval pottery Late Saxon and Early OXY 11 88 Medieval Oxford Ware Worked flint Flake 2 6

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Identified animal species by fragment count (NISP) and weight and context.

Cut Fill BOS EQ Ind Total Weight (g) 407 408 48 1 156 205 493 Total 48 1 156 205 Weight 273 41 179 493 BOS = Cattle; EQ = horse; Ind = indeterminate

APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS Project name Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with a barn conversion and associated construction and landscaping at Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire.

A William III half penny coin was also recovered during the topsoil strip of the pond area.

Project dates * – 29 June 2015 Project type Watching Brief Previous work None Future work None Monument type Significant finds PROJECT LOCATION Site location Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire Study area 3.4ha Site co-ordinates SP 4276 3019 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology (CA) Project Brief originator - Project Design (WSI) originator CA Project Manager Simon Carlyle (CA) Project Supervisor Mark Patenall and Andy Whelan (CA) PROJECT ARCHIVE Accession no: * Content Physical Pottery Paper Site records and photos Digital Oxfordshire HER Report, digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2015 Manor Farm, Nether Worton, Oxfordshire: Archaeological Investigation CA typescript report 15556