Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for an Archaeological Watching Brief
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© Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for an archaeological watching brief on land between 127 and 131 Woodnesborough road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 0BA Planning reference: DOV/20/00860 Date of issue: 02/11/2020 Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd 258 Anzio Crescent, Burgoyne Heights Guston, Kent CT15 5LZ Tel: 07395941091 [email protected] www.invicta-archaeology.co.uk 1 © Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd Contents 1.1 INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………. 3 1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES …………………………………………………… 3 1.3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND …………………………………….. 4 1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES …………………………………………………… 5 1.5 GUIDANCE AND BEST PRACTICE ……………………………………… 6 1.6 MONITORING ………………………………………………………………. 6 1.7 HEALTH AND SAFETY ……………………………………………………. 6 1.8 PROPOSED GROUND WORKS ……………………………………………. 7 1.9 METHOD …………………………………………………………………….. 7 1.10 RECORDING ………………………………………………………………… 8 1.11 ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING AND FINDS ……………………………. 8 1.12 REPORTING …………………………………………………………………. 10 1.13 GENERAL …………………………………………………………………….15 REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………… 16 APPENDIX 1 – KCC SMR Summary Form APPENDIX 2 – Kent Archaeology Fieldwork Notification Form FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION 1:20000 FIGURE 2: SITE LOCATION PLAN 1/1250 FIGURE 3: GOOGLE EARTH OF ROMAN ROAD PROJECTORY FIGURE 4: GOOGLE EARTH OF ROMAN ROAD PROJECTORY RELATING TO SITE 2 © Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd 1.1 INTRODUCTION 1.1.1 This scheme of works sets out details of a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) by Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd for an archaeological watching brief on land between 127 and 131, Woodnesborough road, Sandwich, (centred at TR 3238 757691) at the request of Andy Bateman, for and on behalf of his client. 1.1.2 Planning permission (DOV/20/00860) has been granted for the erection of two bungalows with associated parking and landscaping. 1.1.3 The local planning authority’s planning officer has recommended that an archaeological watching brief be carried out during invasive groundworks, to satisfy Condition 3 which states; No development shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a watching brief to be undertaken by an archaeologist approved by the Local Planning Authority so that excavation is observed, and items of interest and finds are recorded. The watching brief shall be in accordance with a written programme and specification, which has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that features of archaeological interest are properly examined and recorded. 1.1.4 This document is a written scheme of investigation (WSI) confirming the nature and methodology of the watching brief to be undertaken by the approved archaeological contractor. 1.2 THE SITE 1.2.1 The proposed site lies to the west of the Woodnesborough road, opposite the junction of St Barts road in the southern part of Sandwich (see figure 1). It is located c.520m south-west of Sandwich’s historic core and conservation area and c.620m west to the St Barts conservation area (see figure 2). The site is approximately 0.11 hectares. 1.2.2 The solid geology of the site is Thanet Formation – Sand, Silt and Clay. Sedimentary bedrock formed approximately 56-59 million years ago in the Palaeogene period. The 3 © Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd local environment was previously dominated by shallow seas. There are no recorded superficial deposits (British Geological Society 2020). 1.3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 1.3.1 A brief summary of the archaeological and historical background to the site is presented below, having consulted the Heritage Gateway which records data held at the NMR Excavation Index and Kent Historic Environment Record (KHER). 1.3.2 A documented Roman road runs from Portus Dubris (Dover) to Rutupiae (Richborough, which branches off at Woodnesborough; one route continued to the right, from the top of Woodnesborough Hill, to Sandwich and the other continuing left to the A2 Watling street at Ash. The route to Sandwich bypasses the north-western limit of the site and is potentially of Saxon origin, relating to the palace at nearby Eastry c.1m to the south. 1.3.3 Observation of foundation trenches by Dover Archaeological Group in 1999 (unpublished document) at a site off Poulders Gardens on the northern side of Woodnesborough road, to the south-west of the site, revealed a short length of a Roman ditch, on the same alignment of the Sandwich Roman villa and east of Margarys road (TR35NW234). This ditch appears to be running parallel, and south, to the Roman road passing behind the current proposed site to the north west (see figures 3-4). 1.3.4 Approximately 518m to the south-west, a Romano-British villa (TR35NW91), abandoned in the late 3rd-4th century AD was discovered during construction work for the Sandwich Bypass in 1979. It overlooked the Poulders which formed part of the Wantsum channel. The remains consisted of a series of shallow foundation trenches, cut into the natural clay between 0.6m and 0.8m in width, 0.5m- 0.2m in depth and filled with large, water rolled flint pebbles and cobbles, none of which were mortared. These foundations were all that survived of the 27.1m in length rectangular building with a large central room, and two projecting wing rooms. The remains of a corridor along the front of the building, constructed with smaller flints, implied the structure faced north-east. 4 © Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd 1.3.5 A watching brief carried out by Dover Archaeological Group in 1991 (unpublished document) at 22 Poulders road (TR35NW182), found a medieval pit during the construction of a bungalow. Sherds of Tyler Hill sandy ware were recovered, dating the pit to c1066AD – 1539AD (CAT 1991 unpublished document). 1.3.6 Just over c.500m to the north west of the site (HER 35 NW 51) is a documented Early Medieval/Anglo Saxon inhumation cemetery, c.410AD to 1065AD (unreferenced). 1.3.7 National Heritage List for England (NHLE) have no listed buildings within the c.500m radius (Historic England 2020). However, the KHER has a record for the Little Poulders Farm (MKE86935), c.380m to the west of the site, as being a post-medieval (1800AD-1800AD) farmstead, comprising a loose courtyard with working agricultural buildings on three sides, and with additional detached elements to the main plan. Additionally, approximately 45m to the south of the site is Puttocks Down Farm (MKE86956), another post-medieval (1800AD- 1800AD) farmstead, comprising a loose courtyard with working agricultural buildings on one side. The farmhouse is an attached gable end-on to yard. 1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.4.1 This WSI sets out the strategy and methodology by which the Archaeological Contractor will implement the archaeological works. It conforms with current best practice and to the guidance outlined in Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE, Historic England 2015), the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standards and guidance for (CIfA 2014a; 2014b; 2014c; 2014d) and The Centre for Archaeological Guidelines for Environmental Archaeology (English Heritage 2002). 1.4.2 The aims of the archaeological watching brief are to clarify the nature and extent of any archaeological deposits and/or features and to contribute to local and regional heritage recording, which will include the following; • To identify and record all archaeological features, deposits and artefacts exposed during construction work • To determine the extent and nature of the archaeological features encountered 5 © Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd • To recover dating evidence and environmental evidence from the archaeological features encountered • To establish the sequence of the archaeological remains encountered • To interpret the archaeological features and finds within the context of the surrounding area and wider region 1.5 GUIDANCE AND BEST PRACTICE 1.5.1 The standards and guidance followed during archaeological fieldwork are produced by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). Relevant to the current works are: Standard and guidance for an archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014b), Standard and guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials (CIfA 2014c) and Standard and guidance for the creation, compilation, transfer and deposition of archaeological archives (CIfA 2014d) 1.6 MONITORING 1.6.1 The Archaeological Contractor will inform the Kent County Council (KCC) County Archaeologist of the commencement of fieldwork and the progress of the investigations on the Site. Reasonable access to the Site will be arranged for representatives of KCC as appropriate for inspection and monitoring visits. 1.6.2 Variations to this WSI will be agreed in advance with the Client and the County Archaeologist. 1.7 HEALTH AND SAFETY 1.7.1 All work will be carried out in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1992, and all other relevant Health and Safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice in force at the time. 1.7.2 The Archaeological Contractor will supply a copy of their Health and Safety Policy and a Risk Assessment to the Client before the commencement of any fieldwork. The Risk Assessment will have been read and understood by all staff attending the Site before any groundwork commences. 1.8 PROPOSED GROUND WORKS 6 © Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd 1.8.1 Full details of groundworks have not been submitted and the archaeological contractor should clarify the extent of the works with the developer before work begins. 1.9 METHOD 1.9.1 At least one competent archaeologist will closely monitor the excavations as they progress. Where possible, excavation should be undertaken using a flat bladed bucket operating in a single direction. 1.9.2 If any archaeological deposits and/or features are encountered, machine excavation will temporarily cease so that the archaeologist can inspect the surfaces. Any archaeological features will be recorded in plan and section. The main contractor will allow the archaeologist reasonable time and resources to undertake the inspection and recording.