Land at Mangrove Road Hertford Hertfordshire

Land at Mangrove Road Hertford

Hertfordshire

Archaeological Evaluation

for RPS Group

on behalf of Cala Homes

CA Project: MK0139 CA Report: MK0139_3

April 2020

Land at Mangrove Road Hertford Hertfordshire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: MK0139 CA Report: MK0139_3 Site code: MGR20

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by 1 05/03/2020 Andrew Adrian Draft - APS Whelan Scruby 2 10/03/2020 Andrew Adrian Draft Client review APS Whelan Scruby 3 22/04/2020 Andrew Adrian Final LPA review APS Whelan Scruby

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 ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 10

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 11

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-9) ...... 12

6. THE FINDS ...... 15

7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ...... 17

8. DISCUSSION ...... 18

9. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 19

10. REFERENCES ...... 20

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 21 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 24 APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 25 APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 26

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing archaeological features (1:500) Fig. 3 Trench 1: plan, section and photographs (1:200, 1:20) Fig. 4 Trench 3: plan, sections and photographs (1:200, 1:20) Fig. 5 Trench 4: plan, section and photographs (1:200, 1:20) Fig. 6 Trench 10: plan, section and photographs (1:200, 1:20) Fig. 7 Trench 11: plan, sections and photograph (1:200, 1:20) Fig. 8 Trench 12: plan, section and photograph (1:200, 1:20) Fig. 9 Trenches 6, 7, 8 and 9: photographs

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SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford Location: Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire NGR: 533020 211870 Type: Evaluation Date: 3-7 February 2020 Location of Archive: To be deposited with Hertford Museum Site Code: MGR 20

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in February 2020, by Cotswold Archaeology acting on behalf of RPS Consulting for Cala Homes, on land at Mangrove Road, Hertford. The information obtained from the evaluation will be used to support a forthcoming planning application for the site, which is located immediately to the south of a Late Bronze Age settlement investigated in 2005, on the site of the former Ashbourne Hostels (now Ashbourne Gardens).

Twelve trenches were excavated, mainly in the north and central part of the site, primarily with the aim of identifying any continuation of the Bronze Age remains to the north. Pits, postholes and two ditches were revealed, scattered across the site. Three trenches did not contain any archaeological features, while others demonstrated that some areas have been disturbed by roots from trees and bushes that have recolonised large parts of the site in last decade. While many of the features that were investigated did not produce any artefactual material, evidence for a continuation of the Bronze Age settlement to the north was identified. A ditch in trench 10 produced four sherds of prehistoric pottery and a small pit in trench 12 also produced a single sherd, while a probable rubbish pit in trench 4, which contained a very charcoal-rich soil that may be in part derived from cooking or hearth waste, contained twenty-one sherds of Bronze Age pottery.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In February 2020 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for RPS Group on behalf Cala Homes on land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire (centred at NGR: 533020 211870; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to support a forthcoming planning application for the site.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with pre-application consultation between RPS Consulting and the Hertfordshire County Council Historic Environment Unit (Dr Simon Wood, Historic Environment Advisor (HEA)), in their capacity as archaeological advisors to the local planning authority, East Hertfordshire District Council (EHDC), and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by RPS Group (2019) and approved by the HEA. The project also followed the Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014) and was monitored by the HEA, including a site visit on 5th February 2020.

The site 1.3 The proposed development area is approximately 2.6ha in extent and comprises now partially wooded former sports fields. The site is bounded to the north by Ashbourne Gardens, to the east by Mangrove Road, running north-south, to the south by Mangrove Drive, and to the west by further woodland. The site lies at approximately 67m AOD; the western part site comprises the east side of small valley formed around a water course flowing south to north. The valley side within the western part of the site has a steep gradient, decreasing from 67m aOD in the centre of the site to a height of approximately 50m aOD adjacent to the stream forming the western site boundary (RPS 2019).

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation and Seaford Chalk Formation, overlain by superficial Kesgrave Catchment Subgroup, sand and gravel (BGS 2019). This was broadly representative of the natural substrate observed during the evaluation.

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2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The following information is derived from an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (ADBA) for the site (the study site) and a surrounding 1km study area (CgMs 2019). Numbers in parenthesis below refer to the ADBA gazetteer.

Prehistoric 2.2 There are limited records on the HER dated to the Palaeolithic period. Several Palaeolithic tools were found during the early 20th century during quarrying at Ware Pit Road c.600m northeast of the study site (4127, TL 336 126), although detail relating to the nature and context of the artefacts recovered is not provided. A further Palaeolithic tool, in the form of a handaxe, was found c.550m north of the study site (2073, TL 3280 1250).

2.3 The only record for the Mesolithic period on the HER is for a Mesolithic tranchet axe and flint scatter that was found as part of a multi-period site at Foxholes Farm c.800m northeast of the study site (2131, TL 338 125), which saw continuous occupation from the Mesolithic throughout the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romano-British and Saxon periods.

2.4 From around 4000 BC the mobile hunter-gathering economy of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic gradually gave way to a more settled agriculture-based subsistence. The pace of woodland clearance to create arable and pasture-based agricultural land varied regionally and locally, depending on a wide variety of climatic, topographic, social and other factors. The trend was one of a slow, but gradually increasing pace of forest clearance.

2.5 There is evidence for continued activity in the Neolithic period at Foxholes Field, c.800m northeast, in the form of a series of pits (2131, TL 338 125). A Neolithic axe was found c.700m east of the study site (11613, TL 3390 1190), and there was a pit of possible Neolithic or Bronze Age date found in Balls Park, c.500m east (17458, TL 3368 1194).

2.6 Two small Neolithic pits were recorded during the excavations at Simon Balle School in 2015, located approximately 200m to the northeast of the site.

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2.7 A number of features, interpreted as tree bowls, were excavated during the Ashbourne Hostels excavation located immediately to the north of the study site, and were stratigraphically dated to pre-date the later Bronze Age settlement features recorded. Such evidence implies that prior to the Bronze Age period, the landscape immediately surrounding the site would have been heavily wooded.

2.8 Four flint axeheads, dated to the Late Prehistoric period in general, were found during the construction of the housing estate immediately to the south of the study site (1161, TL 3312 1178). The exact context or location of thediscoveries is not recorded, although the type of artefact described is likely to be more characteristic of Neolithic activity, possibly related to woodland clearance (see above).

2.9 By the 1st millennium, i.e. 1000 BC, the landscape was probably amix of extensive tracts of open farmland, punctuated by earthwork burial and ceremonial monuments from distant generations, with settlements, ritual areas and defended locations reflecting an increasingly hierarchical society.

2.10 There was occupation during the Bronze Age at Foxholes Farm c.800m northeast, demonstrated by the excavation of an early Bronze Age cremation burial, two late Bronze Age round houses, and a number of other features such as pits and hearths (6448, TL 338 125).

2.11 Following a rogramme p of trial trenching, an archaeological excavation was undertaken immediately to the north of the study site in 2005 at the site of the former Ashbourne Hostels (12739, TL 3313 1201). The excavation area was located adjacent to Mangrove Road. Theea rliest deposits were dated to the Late Bronze age period consisting of a series of postholes, beam slots, pits, and ditches, indicating the presence of contemporary settlement and water management. Two related cremation burials were also excavated. Theseeatures f were primarily concentrated in the area adjacent to Mangrove Road, decreasing in density towards the western part of the excavation area.

2.12 Four further cremation burials dating to the Bronze Age period were recorded as part of excavations at Simon Balle School, approximately 200m to the northeast of the study site, and were associated with two small curvilinear ditches also potentially dated to this period (EHT7766,TL 33220 12150).

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2.13 Occupation continued at Foxholes Farm, c.800m northeast, into the Middle and Late Iron Age, comprising an enclosure and round house followed by two rectilinear enclosures and a post-built structure (13467, TL 338 125). There was also Iron Age occupation in the Balls Park area east of the study site. Evidence for this consists of parallel ditches c.500m east, along with an enclosure, ditches and post holes (13506, TL 3369 1195; 18508, TL 3365 1205; 13561, TL 3368 1186).

2.14 An Iron Age coin was found in the vicinity of Hertford Castle approximately 550m to the northwest of the study site (4106, TL 3250 1255).

Roman 2.15 The study site lies approximately 1.5km west of the nearest major Roman road, which ran from London to Standon.

2.16 A north-south orientated ditch was found during the excavation at the former Ashbourne Hostels immediately to the north of the study site (12740, TL 3313 1201) which contained a quantity of pottery indicative of contemporary occupation in the vicinity.

2.17 An archaeological excavation at the Simon Balle School, located approximately 200m to the northeast of the study site, may indicate the source of such possible contemporary occupation. Multiple Roman features were defined during the excavation comprising a north-south trackway, possible aisled barn, and several clusters rubbish pits (EHT7766, TL 33220 12150).

2.18 The HER records a small cemetery at Mangrove Hall, c.200m north of the study site during the early part of the 20th century. Workmen constructing a greenhouse recovered five intact later Roman pottery vessels, but no human remains were identified (1164, TL 3306 1214). Further evaluation in 2004 at the site found no further burials (EHT6987, TL 33072 12147). A Roman coin was found c.350m northeast of the study site (2069, TL 335 122) and occupation continued at Foxholes Farm, c.800m northeast of the study site, with excavation recording a farmstead with associated outbuildings, field system and a small cremation cemetery (10027, TL 3380 1250). When considered in partnership with the features identified at the Simon Balle School, this strongly suggests the presence of a probable Roman settlement a couple of hundred metres to the north of the study site, with the ditch

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identified at Ashbourne Hostels immediately to the north of the site, peripheral to the main focus of activity.

2.19 Residual finds of Roman pottery and coins have been recovered in the vicinity of Hertford Castle c.550m to the northwest of the study site (1400, TL 3256 1261; 1401, TL 3255 1228).

Anglo-Saxon & Medieval 2.20 In 912-13 King Edward the Elder built two defended settlements or 'burhs' north and south of the River Lea. The Southern Burh was probably deliberately planned by Edward as a town formed of a square or rectangular settlement, defended by a bank and ditch, with a wooden palisade running along the top of the bank. The burh was probably created for the purposes of protecting the local population and serving as a market and trading centre under royal control. The town at Hertford, associated with the burh, developed in the 10th and 11th centuries to the south of the Lea, focused on the Market Place area approximately 750m north of the study site (2, TL 325 125; 9828, TL 32666 12615). The importance of the burh and settlement at Hertford is emphasised by the documented record of a mint in the 10th and 11th centuries (4004, TL 325 125).

2.21 Archaeological evidence for the Anglo-Saxon burh and associated occupation has been identified in the vicinity of Hertford Town Centre (9832, TL 32720 12714; 9885, TL 32462 12642; 13710, TL 32475 12405).

2.22 The HER records Anglo-Saxon occupation at Foxholes Farm, c.800m northeast of the study site in the form of sunken-floored and ‘ridge spine’ buildings, though there was little in the way of other occupation evidence (9779, TL 338 125). No further evidence of Anglo-Saxon activity has been identified in the wider study area, including as part of the Ashbourne Hostels excavations immediately to the north of the study site.

2.23 The entry for Hertford in the Domesday Survey indicated it was a very large settlement for the time. Balls Park estate was listed in the Domesday survey as part of the Manor of Amwell. The estate was probably named after Simon de Balle, who owned it in the late 13th century. The original boundary of Balls Park would have extended to the eastern side of Mangrove Road.

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2.24 Following the Norman Conquest, a motte and baily castle, known as Hertford Castle, was constructed to the west of the Anglo-Saxon burh, c.550m to the northwest of the site, with the earthworks associated with the castle subsequently being designated as a Scheduled Monument (1009827, TL 32471 12489). The - flattopped motte which stands at the north corner of the castle measures 30m in diameter and c.6.5m in height. The bailey, which covers nearly one hectare, is defended on the east and south by a curtain wall which is largely intact. Beyond the curtain wall onthe south side are the remains of a broad outer ditch measuring c.9m in width, now partly filled and covered by buildings and gardens. The moat has been excavated and recorded in several locations (6526, TL 3251 1260; 6527, TL 3258 1254; 12141, TL 3254 1256).

2.25 With the construction of Hertford Castle, development of the AngloNorman- town appears to have shifted into the vicinity of the fortification. Development of the town and associated institutions during this period, and during the subsequent Late Medieval period, is well attested within the archaeological record, with this activity continuing to concentrate in the vicinity of the former burh and later castle.

2.26 Evidence for Late Medieval activity within the wider study area is limited. A Late Medieval pit was recorded in Balls Park, c.500m east of the study site (16305, TL 3369 1194), with a second pit recorded near West Street, c.800m to thenorthwest (10789, TL 3220 1224). An isolated Late Medieval gold ring was also found c.600m to the northwest of the study site (2719, TL 324 122).

Post-Medieval & Modern 2.27 During the majority of the Post-Medieval period, the study site is likely to be located within the agricultural hinterland of the settlement at Hertford.

2.28 The earliest cartographic source depicting the study site in a reasonable level of detail derives from Dury and Andrews 1766 map showing the study site as located between the landscaped estates of Balls Park to the east and Brickendonbury Park to the west.

2.29 The 1770-92 Map of Hertford Parishes depicts the study site in a greater level of detail clearly showing the study site immediately to the west Balls Park and the route later known as Mangrove Road. Some evidence of the formal landscaping associated with Brickendonbury Park can be seen to the southwest, although the

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study site itself is located in an area of agricultural fields. The agricultural character of the site, lying outside of formally landscaped areas, is confirmed by the 1799 Ordnance Survey Drawing and Bryant’s map of 1820-21.

2.30 The 1846 Brickendon Tithe map and associated Award record the study site as occupying elements of two separate fields to the west of Mangrove Road.

2.31 The Ordnance Survey map of 1881 identifies that the field boundary within the study site has been removed and that the study site is now located in a single extensive field bounded by MangroveRoad in the east, the stream to the , west and boundaries at a distance to both the north and south. By 1898 the extensive field has been subdivided introducing the current southern boundary of thestudy site, in addition to the boundary separating the eastern and western fields.

2.32 The Ordnance Survey map of 1923 depicts the presence of a band of woodland, track, and small building being introduced adjacent to Mangrove Road in the eastern part of the study site. A small wooded copse is shown centrally within the western field.

2.33 A number of gullies, pits, and postholes were excavated at the Ashbourne Hostels immediately to the north of the study site and interpreted as dating to the later Post- Medieval period. A review of the 1923 Ordnance Survey map indicated that the gullies recorded closely align with the track shown on the map, and considering the greater majority of the pits and postholes assigned to this period are exterior to the alignment of the two parallel gullies, suggest that this group of features represent the alignment of the track and associated boundary treatments.

2.34 By 196277- the eastern field has been converted into a Sports Ground. The mapping indicates that this has involved the retention of the earlier building adjacent to Mangrove Road as well as the construction of a sports pavilion and small parking area next to this. An expanse of tennis courts has also been built on the western side of the eastern field. The layout of the study site remains unchanged in 1999.

2.35 An aerial view of the study site a year later in 2000 depict the site as open ground consistent with its use as a sports ground, although vegetation growth can be seen within the area of the tennis courts and obscuring the existing buildings, suggesting the sports ground has been abandoned inpart, or in full. By 2018 woodland growth

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has been extensive, resulting in primarily only the central area of the eastern field retained as open ground.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation are to provide evidence regarding the location, form, extent, date, character, condition, significance and quality of any surviving archaeological remains, irrespective of period, liable to be threatened by the proposed redevelopment. The evaluation also sought to clarify the nature and extent of existing disturbance and intrusions and hence assess the degree of archaeological survival of buried deposits and any surviving structures of archaeological significance (RPS 2019).

3.2 The following specific objectives were also identified:

1) To establish the presence or otherwise of activity on the site dating to the Prehistoric periods. Can the Bronze Age features identified be associated with the contemporary activity identified during the archaeological excavations immediately to the north of the site at Ashbourne Hostel?

2) To establish the presence or otherwise of any Roman activity on site. Can the Roman features identified be associated with the contemporary activity identified during the archaeological excavations immediately to the north of the site at Ashbourne Hostel?

3) To establish the presence or otherwise of any Anglo-Saxon or Medieval activity on site.

4) To establish the environmental context of prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval activity.

5) Evaluate the likely impact of past land use and development.

3.3 In addition to the above, the potential for the results of the investigation to contribute to the following regional research aim was identified:

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Bronze Age 6) How can patterns of Bronze Age burial practices be further explored? What is the relationship between settlements and burials, the development and use of burial monuments, and their place in the landscape? (Medlycott 2011, p20)

3.4 The information obtained will enable EHDC, advised by the HCCHEU, to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage assets that are identified, consider the impact of the proposed development upon them and to avoid or minimise any conflict between the conservation of those heritage assets and any aspect of the development proposal. This process is in accordance with policies contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (MHCLG 2019).

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 12 trenches, each measuring 20m long by 1.8m wide, in the locations shown on figure 2. Due to the presence of an open geotechnical test pit Trench 3 was shortened and split into two (3a and 3b). 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 and, were sampled and processed. 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 Milton Keynes. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the

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artefacts will be deposited with Hertford Museum 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 2-9)

5.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts, finds and environmental samples (palaeoenvironmental evidence) are to be found in Appendices A, B and C respectively.

5.2 A broadly similar stratigraphic sequence was identified within each of the evaluation trenches. The natural geological substrate, which comprised a mid-brown orange silty sands and gravels, was encountered at an average depth of 0.56m below present ground level (bpgl). This was overlain by subsoil comprising mid grey brown silty sand with gravels with an average thickness of 0.33m, topped by a mid-grey brown sandy silt topsoil measuring on average 0.23m thick. No features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified within Trenches 6, 7 and 9, and they are not described any further.

Trench 1 (Figs 2 & 3) 5.3 Trench 1 contained three archaeological features, all sealed beneath subsoil 101 and cutting the natural substrate (102). Located at the eastern extent of trench 1 was posthole 103, which was oval in plan, measuring 0.4m in length by 0.34m wide and 0.1m deep. It contained a single undated fill (104) of dark red brown silty sand with gravel.

5.4 Approximately 10m west of post hole 103, sub-oval posthole 105 measured 0.46m long by 0.6m wide and was 0.25m deep. As with posthole 103 it contained a single fill (106) of dark red brown silty sand with gravel that also produced no dating evidence.

5.5 Directly west of posthole 105, a possible east-west orientated ditch terminated adjacent to posthole 105. Ditch 107 (Fig 3, Section AA), measured >0.8m wide, extending into the trench section, by 0.31m deep, and contained a single undated fill of mid grey brown silty sand with gravel (108). An environmental sample (100) contained a small number of charred indeterminate cereal grains, which showed

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signs of abrasion, but no other charred plant remains. A small quantity of charcoal was also noted in the assemblage but these fragments showed signs of vitrification, rendering species identification problematic (see section 7 below).

Trench 2 (Fig 2) 5.6 Trench 2 contained a single undated posthole, 203, sealed beneath subsoil 201. With a diameter of 0.41m by 0.32m deep, it contained a single fill (204) of mid brown grey silty sand with gravel and rare flint.

Trench 3 (Figs 2 & 4) 5.7 Due to the presence of an open geotechnical test pit trench 3 was split into two sections – 3a and 3b. Trench 3a contained two undated features, posthole 303 and pit/ posthole 305, located less than 1m apart and sealed beneath subsoil 301. Posthole 303 (Fig 4, Section BB), was ovoid in plan, measuring 0.44m in length by 0.32m wide, by 0.3m deep. It contained a single fill (304) of dark red brown sandy silt with frequent stones.

5.8 Directly north east of posthole 303, pit/ posthole 305 (Fig 4, Section CC), was sub- circular in plan, measuring 0.52m in length by 0.47m wide and 0.38m deep. It contained a single fill (306) of dark red brown sandy silt with frequent stones.

5.9 Trench 3B contained a probable tree throw/ root bole (307) that produced post medieval pottery and both Roman and post-medieval brick and tile from an exploratory section (308).

Trench 4 (Figs 2 & 5) 5.10 Roughly central in trench 4, extending out from the southwest facing baulk was pit 403 (Fig 5, Section DD), which was again sealed beneath the subsoil (402). Ovoid in plan, measuring 0.93m long by >0.65m wide and 0.34m deep, it contained a single fill (404) of dark brown grey sandy silt with stones that produced a large assemblage of Bronze Age pottery. An environmental sample (101) contained a small quantity of very abraded charred indeterminate cereal grain fragments. A small number of charred seeds including those of bedstraw (Galium sp.) and oat/brome grass (Avena/Bromus sp.) were also noted. A large quantity of charcoal fragments was also recorded; however, these showed signs of iron impregnation which renders species identification problematic. Overall, the material is likely to be representative of a dump of domestic hearth waste material (see section 7 below).

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Trench 5 (Fig 2) 5.11 Located at the south east end of trench 5 and sealed beneath subsoil 501, north- south oriented ditch 503 measured 1.34m wide by 0.11m deep and contained a single undated fill (504) of mid grey brown silty sand with frequent gravels and stones.

Trench 8 (Fig 2) 5.12 At the west end of trench 8 was a single undated posthole, 803. Sub-circular in plan, with a diameter of 0.32m and 0.18m deep, it contained a single fill (804) of mid grey brown silty sand with rare small flint fragments.

Trench 10 (Figs 2 & 6) 5.13 Broadly central to trench 10 was east-west oriented ditch 1003, which measured 0.93m wide by 0.19m deep (Fig 6, Section EE), and was sealed beneath subsoil 1002. It contained a single fill (1004) of mid grey brown sandy silt with moderate flint and stones that produced four sherds in two different fabrics of mid to late Bronze Age pottery.

Trench 11 (Figs 2 & 7) 5.14 Trench 11 contained five undated postholes, identified in a 10m area in the central – southern part of the trench and all sealed seemingly sealed beneath subsoil 1101. The furthest north, posthole 1103 (Fig 7, Section FF), was circular in plan, with a diameter of 0.3m by 0.07m deep, and contained a single fill (1104) of mid brown grey sandy silt with stones.

5.15 Just over 1m south of posthole 1103, posthole 1105 (Fig 7, Section GG), was also circular in plan, with a diameter of 0.28m by 0.12m deep. It contained a single fill (1106) of mid brown grey sandy silt with stones.

5.16 Approximately 2.5m south of posthole 1105 was posthole 1111 (Fig 7, Section JJ), which was circular in plan, with a diameter of 0.27m by 0.11m deep, and contained a single fill (1112) of mid brown grey sandy silt with stones.

5.17 Just over 1m south west of posthole 1111, was posthole 1107 (Fig 7, Section HH), which was circular in plan, with a diameter of 0.35m by 0.12m deep, and contained a single fill (1108) of mid brown grey sandy silt with stones.

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5.18 The furthest south of thegroup, located about 2m south of posthole 1107,was posthole 1109 (Fig 7, Section II), which was again circular in plan (diameter 0.32m by 0.12m deep) and it contained a single fill (1108) of mid brown grey sandy silt with stones.

5.19 It is likely that postholes 1103, 1105, 1107, 1109 and 1111 are related but unclear if they form part of a structure or a fence line.

Trench 12 (Figs 2 & 8) 5.20 Within the northwest half of trench 4, located against the south west edge, was a single pit/ posthole, 1203 (Fig 8, Section KK), sealed beneath subsoil 1201. Circular in plan, with a diameter of 0.5m (approx.) by 0.42m deep, it contained a single fill (1204) of mid brown grey sandy silt with frequent flints that produced a single sherd of mid to late Bronze Age pottery.

6. THE FINDS

6.1 The artefactual material is recorded from six deposits; the fills of ditches, pits and natural features (Appendix B). The material was recovered by hand and from bulk samples.

Pottery 6.2 The pottery recovered from the evaluation is recorded in Appendix B and discussed below. Recording of the finds assemblage was direct to an Excel spreadsheet; this now forms the basis of Appendix B (Table 1). The pottery was examined by context, using a x100 binocular microscope and quantified according to sherd count and weight per fabric type. The fabrics are described in Appendix B (Table 2) in accordance with the Historic England guidelines (Barclay et al. 2016) and where appropriate the Prehistoric Ceramic Research Group guidelines (PCRG 2010).

6.3 The assemblage comprises 27 sherds (267g) of pottery. The condition of the assemblage is moderate good; although most fractures exhibit signs of minor abrasion most surfaces are intact. The mean sherd weight is moderately high for a largely prehistoric assemblage at 9.8g.

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Prehistoric 6.4 A total of 30 sherds (285g) of handmade prehistoric pottery are recorded from pit fills 404 and 1204 and ditch fill 1004. They are made in either fine or coarse flint- tempered fabrics (FL1/FL2) and although the sherds lack diagnostic features both fabrics can be broadly dated to the Middle or Late Bronze Age.

Post-medieval 6.5 One sherd (9g) of glazed red earthenware (GRE) dating to between the 16th and 18th centuries is recorded from tree throw fill 308.

Summary 6.6 The pottery assemblage provides evidence for Bronze Age activity in the vicinity of the site. It is also suggestive of limited post-medieval activity. Due to the lack of forms or diagnostic features it is not possible to draw any further meaningful conclusions from the assemblage.

Ceramic Building Material 6.7 Seven fragments (698g) of ceramic building material are recorded. A large fragment of Roman brick made in a coarse sandy fabric with flint inclusions (csfl) is recorded from treethrow fill 308. An undiagnostic fragment made in a fine sandy micaceous fabric (fsm) is recorded from the same deposit and is likely to be of a similar date. One fragment of curved tile, possibly an imbrex, and one fragment of flat tile, made in coarse sandy fabrics with clay pellet inclusions (cscp) are recorded from the topsoil of trench 5. Based on their form, thickness and firing it is likely that they also date to the Roman period. Three fragments of tile made in coarse sandy fabrics with inclusions or iron or clay pellets (csfe/cscp) are recorded from treethrow fill 308 and the topsoil of trench 6. Based on their thickness and firing they most likely date to the post-medieval period.

Flint 6.8 Two chips (1g) of grey brown flint are recorded from sample 101 taken from pit fill 404.

16 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

7. THE BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

7.1 Two environmental samples (40 litres of soil) were processed from two different feature types. This was done to evaluate the preservation of palaeoenvironmental remains and with the intention of recovering environmental evidence of industrial or domestic activity on the site, as well as possibly giving an indication of the local environment. It was also hoped that the samples might help to confirm the dating of these features. The samples were processed by standard flotation procedures (CA Technical Manual No. 2).

7.2 Preliminary identifications of plant macrofossils are noted in Table 1, following nomenclature of Stace (1997) for wild plants, and traditional nomenclature, provided by Zohary et al (2012) for cereals.

7.3 The dates discussed within this report have been obtained through the dating of finds from the same context (see section 6 above).

Middle-Late Bronze Age 7.4 Pit fill 404 (sample 101) of pit 403 in trench 4 contained a small quantity of charred indeterminate cereal grain fragments that were very abraded. A small number of charred seeds including those of bedstraw (Galium sp.) and oat/brome grass (Avena/Bromus sp.) were also noted in sample 101. A large quantity of charcoal fragments was recorded in the assemblage. These fragments showed signs of iron impregnation. Due to the charcoal being iron impregnated it was not possible to obtain further species identification. Sample 101 is likely to be representative of a dump of domestic hearth waste material.

Undated 7.5 Ditch Terminus fill 108 (sample 100) of ditch terminus 107 contained a small number of charred indeterminate cereal grains, which showed signs of abrasion, but no other charred plant remains. A small quantity of charcoal was also noted in the assemblage. These fragments showed signs of vitrification. The environmental material in sample 100 is likely to be indicative of wind-blown/dispersed waste material and does not aid in the dating of ditch terminus 107.

17 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Summary 7.6 The environmental material in sample 101 (pit 403) is likely to be representative of a dump of domestic hearth waste, which suggests that some form of domestic/settlement activity was taking place within the nearby vicinity of this feature.

7.7 The charred plant assemblage in sample 100 (ditch terminus 107) provides no insight into the possible use of function of the feature and provides little evidence for any activities taking place in the vicinity.

8. DISCUSSION

8.1 The evaluation identified scattered archaeological remains across the site, comprising pits, postholes and ditches. Trenches 6, 7 and 9 contained no archaeological features, while many of the trenches contained only single features. Although many of these remain undated, features of Middle – Late Bronze Age date were identified in trenches 4, 10 and 12, and at least some of the currently undated features are likely to be associated and of similar date.

Bronze Age 8.2 Seemingly securely dated Bronze Age features were identified in trenches 4, 10 and 12. These comprise pit 403 in trench 4, which produced a significant assemblage of Middle to Late Bronze Age pottery, ditch 1003 in trench 10 and an isolated posthole in trench 12. Many of the undated pits/ post holes identified across the site are also likely to be of the Bronze Age date given that, in common with the dated features, they were sealed by an average of 0.3m of subsoil. Tentative grouping of post holes in trenches 3 and 11 suggests the possibility of structures or fence lines. Similar features were found at the Former Ashbourne Hostels Site, directly to the north of the site (PCA 2005).

Later Prehistoric onwards 8.3 While fragments of Roman ceramic building material were recovered from the site, including from a tree throw/ root bole in trench 3 and the topsoil in trench 6, no features of later prehistoric, Roman, Saxon or Medieval date were identified.

18 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

Post-medieval/modern 8.4 The single sherd of post-medieval pottery and CBM recovered from a tree throw in trench 3, as well as CBM found in the topsoil of trenches 5 and 6 indicates that some, limited, activity did occur in the evaluation area in the post-medieval and modern periods. This was perhaps most likely related to the agricultural use of the site, with material being brought onto the site via manuring practices, or during the clearance of the site prior to the establishment of the sports pitches and tennis courts that previously occupied the site.

Undated 8.5 While a large number of undated features were identified, including the posthole cluster in trench 11 and ditches 107 and 503, given that all were sealed beneath the subsoil layer present across the evaluated area then it is likely that they are of some age and possibly related to the Bronze Age activity identified elsewhere in the evaluation.

9. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Jay wood, assisted by Ralph Brown, Mark Davies, and Abigail Breen. The report was written by Andrew Whelan. The finds and biological evidence reports were written by Pete Banks and Emma Aitken respectively. The illustrations were prepared by Ryan Wilson. The archive has been compiled by Jess Cook and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Adrian Scruby. The assistance of Chris Clarke (RPS Consulting) and Dr Simon Wood (HCCHEU) is gratefully acknowledged.

19 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

10. REFERENCES

Barclay, A., Booth, P., Knight, D., Evans, J., Brown, D.H. and Wood, I., 2016 A Standard for Pottery Studies in Archaeology Historic England

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2015 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 2019

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 The taking and processing of environmental and other samples from archaeological sites: Technical Manual No. 2

CgMs 2019 Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

PCA (Pre-Construct Archaeology) 2005 The Former Asbourne Hostels Site, Mangrove Road, Hertford: Post Excavation Assessment

PCRG, 2010 Prehistoric ceramics research group guidelines Occasional Papers 1 and 2

RPS (RPS Group) 2019 Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation: Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

Stace, C. 1997 New flora of the British Isles (2nd edition), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Zohary, D., Hopf, M. and Weiss, E. 2012 ‘Domestication of plants in the Old World: the origin and spread of cultivated plants in West Asia, Europe, and the Nile Valley’, 4th edition, Oxford, Clarendon Press

20 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W D Spot-date No. No. interpretation (m) (m) 1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.25 with turf. 1 101 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.37 with gravel and rooting. 1 102 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 1 103 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with 0.4 0.34 0.1 Posthole straight sides to flat base. 1 104 Fill 103 Fill of Posthole Dark red brown silty sand 0.4 0.34 0.1 with gravel. 1 105 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with steep 0.46 0.6 0.25 Posthole straight sides to flat base. 1 106 Fill 105 Fill of Posthole Dark red brown silty sand 0.46 0.6 0.25 with gravel. 1 107 Cut Cut of Ditch Linear ditch E/W orientated >5 >0.8 0.31 with mid sloping sides to curved base. 1 108 Fill 107 Fill of Ditch Mid grey brown silty sand >5 >0.8 0.31 with gravel. 2 200 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.18 with turf. 2 201 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.31 with gravel and rooting. 2 202 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 2 203 Cut Cut of Sub oval posthole with steep 0.41 0.41 0.32 Posthole sides to concave base. 2 204 Fill 203 Fill of Posthole Mid brown grey silty sand 0.41 0.41 0.32 with gravel and rare flint. 3 300 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >11.5 >1.8 0.33 with turf. 3 301 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >11.5 >1.8 0.36 with gravel and rooting. 3 302 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >11.5 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 3 303 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with steep 0.44 0.32 0.3 Posthole straight sides to flat base. 3 304 Fill 303 Fill of Posthole Dark red brown sandy silt 0.44 0.32 0.3 with frequent stones. 3 305 Cut Cut of Pit Circular pit with steep 0.52 0.47 0.38 straight sides to rounded base. 3 306 Fill 305 Fill of Pit Dark red brown sandy silt 0.52 0.47 0.38 with frequent stones. 4 400 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.29 with turf. 4 401 Layer Subsoil Mid brown grey silty sand >20 >1.8 0.25 with frequent stones. 4 402 Layer Natural Mid orange brown silty sand >20 >1.8 with frequent stones. 4 403 Cut Cut of Pit Circular pit with steep >0.65 0.93 0.34 curved sides to flat base. 4 404 Fill 403 Fill of Pit Dark brown grey sandy silt >0.65 0.93 0.34 with stones. 5 500 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.2 with turf. 5 501 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.5 with gravel and rooting. 5 502 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 5 503 Cut Cut of Ditch Linear ditch N-E/S-W >5 1.34 0.11 orientated with shallow curved sides to concave base. 5 504 Fill 503 Fill of Ditch Mid grey brown silty sand >5 1.34 0.11 with frequent gravels and

21 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

stones. 6 600 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.21 with turf. 6 601 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.4 with gravel and rooting. 6 602 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 7 700 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.17 with turf. 7 701 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.3 with gravel and rooting. 7 702 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 8 800 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.17 with turf. 8 801 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.31 with gravel and rooting. 8 802 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 8 803 Cut Cut of Sub-circular posthole with 0.32 0.32 0.18 Posthole steep sides to flat base. 8 804 Fill 803 Fill of Posthole Mid grey brown silty sand 0.32 0.32 0.18 with rare small flint fragments. 9 900 Layer Topsoil Dark grey brown sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.15 with turf. 9 901 Layer Subsoil Mid grey brown silty sand >20 >1.8 0.41 with gravel and rooting. 9 902 Layer Natural Mid brown orange silty sand >20 >1.8 with gravel and rooting. 10 1000 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.28 with turf. 10 1001 Layer Subsoil Mid brown grey silty sand >20 >1.8 0.3 with frequent stones. 10 1002 Layer Natural Mid orange brown silty sand >20 >1.8 with frequent stones. 10 1003 Cut Cut of Ditch Linear ditch E-W orientated >1 0.93 0.19 with curved sides to concave base. 10 1004 Fill 1003 Fill of Ditch Mid grey brown sandy silt >1 0.93 0.19 with moderate flint and stones. 11 1100 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.3 with turf. 11 1101 Layer Subsoil Mid brown grey silty sand >20 >1.8 0.32 with frequent stones. 11 1102 Layer Natural Mid orange brown silty sand >20 >1.8 with frequent stones. 11 1103 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with 0.3 0.3 0.07 Posthole shallow sides to rounded base. 11 1104 Fill 1103 Fill of Posthole Mid brown grey sandy silt 0.3 0.3 0.07 with stones. 11 1105 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with 0.28 0.28 0.07 Posthole shallow sides to rounded base. 11 1106 Fill 1105 Fill of Posthole Mid brown grey sandy silt 0.28 0.28 0.07 with stones. 11 1107 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with steep 0.35 0.35 0.12 Posthole curved sides to rounded base. 11 1108 Fill 1107 Fill of Posthole Mid brown grey sandy silt 0.35 0.35 0.12 with stones. 11 1109 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with steep 0.32 0.32 0.12 Posthole curved sides to rounded base. 11 1110 Fill 1109 Fill of Posthole Mid brown grey sandy silt 0.32 0.32 0.12 with stones. 11 1111 Cut Cut of Circular posthole with steep 0.27 0.27 0.11 Posthole curved sides to rounded base.

22 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

11 1112 Fill 1111 Fill of Posthole Mid brown grey sandy silt 0.27 0.27 0.11 with stones. 12 1200 Layer Topsoil Mid brown grey sandy silt >20 >1.8 0.29 with turf. 12 1201 Layer Subsoil Mid brown grey silty sand >20 >1.8 0.16 with frequent stones. 12 1203 Layer Natural Mid orange brown silty sand >20 >1.8 with frequent stones. 12 1204 Cut Cut of Pit Sub oval pit with steep >0.5 0.48 0.42 straight sides to curved base. 12 1205 Fill 1204 Fill of Pit Mid brown grey sandy silt >0.5 0.48 0.42 with frequent flints.

23 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Table 1: Finds Concordance

Context Class Description Fabric Code Count Weight (g) Spot-date 308 Post-medieval Pottery Glazed red earthenware GRE 1 9 C16-C18 CBM Pedalis? x 1, tile x 1, tile x 3 fsm/csfl/csfe 5 547 404 Prehistoric Pottery Coarse flint-tempered fabric FL2 21 232 BA 500 CBM Imbrex? x 1, tile x 3 cscp 2 70 600 CBM Tile x 2 cscp 2 81 1004 Prehistoric Pottery Coarse flint-tempered fabric FL2 3 15 BA Prehistoric Pottery Fine flint-tempered fabric FL1 1 3 1204 Prehistoric Pottery Coarse flint-tempered fabric FL2 1 8 BA

Table 2: Fabric Descriptions Period Fabric Description Fabric Count Weight (g) Code Prehistoric pottery Fine flint-tempered fabric. Flint ≤1mm FL1 1 3 Coarse flint-tempered fabric. Flint ≤5mm FL2 25 255 Post-medieval Pottery Glazed red earthenware GRE 1 9 Grand Total 27 267

24 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Table 1 Assessment of the palaeoenvironmental remains

Proc Unpro esse cesse Flot d vol d vol size Roots Cereal Charred Charcoal Feature Context Sample (L) (L) (ml) % Grain Chaff Notes Other Notes for Table > 4/2mm Other Middle - Late Bronze Age Trench 4 indet grain (v. Galium; Pit 403 404 101 20 20 300 60 ** - abraded) * Avena/Bromus ****/***** - Undated Trench 1 Ditch indet Terminus grain (v. 107 108 100 20 20 50 95 * - abraded) - - */** -

Key: * = 1–4 items; ** = 4–20 items; *** = 21–49 items; **** = 50–99 items; ***** = >100 items.

APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in February 2020, by Cotswold Archaeology acting on behalf of RPS Consulting for Cala Homes, on land at Mangrove Road, Hertford. The information obtained from the evaluation will be used to support a forthcoming planning application for the site, which is located immediately to the south of a Late Bronze Age settlement investigated in 2005, on the site of the former Ashbourne Hostels (now Ashbourne Gardens).

Twelve trenches were excavated, mainly in the north and central part of the site, primarily with the aim of identifying any continuation of the Bronze Age remains to the north. Pits, postholes and two ditches were revealed, scattered across the site. Three trenches did not contain any archaeological features, while others demonstrated that some area have been disturbed by roots from trees and bushes that have recolonised large parts of the site in last decade. While many of the features that were investigated did not produce any artefactual material, evidence for a continuation of the Bronze Age settlement to the north was identified. A ditch in trench 10 produced four sherds of prehistoric pottery and a small pit in trench 12 also produced a single sherd, while a probable rubbish pit in trench 4, which contained a very charcoal-rich soil that may be in part derived from cooking or hearth waste, contained twenty-one sherds of Bronze Age pottery.

While fragments of Roman ceramic building material were recovered from the site, no features of late prehistoric, Roman, Saxon or Medieval date were identified. Post-medieval or modern features included a possible tree throw or root bole in trench 3 that contained post-medieval pottery, brick and tile in the backfill. Project dates 3 -7 February 2020 Project type Field evaluation Previous work Desk-based assessment (CgMs 2019). Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire Study area (M2/ha) 2.6ha Site co-ordinates 533020 211870 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator RPS Group Project Design (WSI) originator RPS Group Project Manager Adrian Scruby Project Supervisor Jay Wood MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS Bronze Age Pits, Post Holes, Ditch PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archiveContent (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc) Physical Hertford Museum Ceramics Paper Hertford Museum Context sheets, matrices, Trench sheets, sample sheets, drawings Digital Hertford Museum Database, digital photos Geomatics data BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2020 Land at Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report MK0139_2

27 531000 533000 535000

212000

211000

Andover 01264 347630 N Cirencester 01285 771022 CAMBRIDGESHIRE SUFFOLK Cotswold Exeter 01392 573970 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 MILTON KEYNES Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE e [email protected] BEDFORDSHIRELUTON PROJECT TITLE

ESSEX Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

HERTFORDSHIRE

FIGURE TITLE THURROCK Site location plan London 0 1km

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 CHECKED BY DATE WINDSOR AND DJB 17/02/2020 MAIDENHEAD Ordnance Survey 0100031673 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 BRACKNELL N 2 25m FIGURE NO. 01908 564660 cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk @ 01449 900120 01392 573970 www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk MK0139 08/02/2020 1:500 01264 347630 Andover Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter Milton Keynes Suffolk w e enquiries 1:500 PROJECT NO. DATE SCALE@A3 Site outline trench Evaluation Archaeological feature / unexcavated) (excavated Treethrow RW DJB JW Cotswold Archaeology 0 © Crown copyright and database rights copyright 2020© Crown 0100031673 Ordnance Survey PROJECT TITLE Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire FIGURE TITLE location plan Trench DRAWN BY DRAWN CHECKED BY APPROVED BY

Mangrove Road

Mangrove Drive Drive Mangrove Mangrove 5 T 503 ditch pit 403

533150 307 4 treethrow T B 3 6 T T (Figure 4) 305 post hole 303 A post hole 3 T 7 T 0 1 T (Figure 6) ditch 1003 533100 8 203 T post hole 2 T 1103 1105 803 post hole 1111 post hole 1107 post hole post hole post hole 2 1 1 T 1 (Figure 8) T 1109 (Figure 7) post hole 9 T 1203 pit / post hole 103 1 post hole T (Figure 3) 105 post hole 107 ditch

533050

Ashbourne Gardens Gardens Ashbourne Ashbourne 211950 211900 N Trench 1

Section AA

SE NW SW NE A 66.8m topsoil AOD 100 ditch 107 A 101 post hole 105 post hole 103

108 Evaluation trench Archaeological feature (excavated / unexcavated) ditch 107 A A Section line

1:20 0 1:200 10m 01m

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 Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 1: plan, section and Trench 1, looking north-west (1m scales) Ditch 107, looking north-west (0.5m) photographs

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 1:200, 1:20 3 Section BB

SW NE N Trench 3 66.1m 3b AOD 304

treethrow post hole 307 303 post hole 305 3a C B B Section CC C SN post hole 66.2m 303 Evaluation trench AOD Archaeological feature 306 (excavated) Treethrow (excavated / unexcavated) post hole 305 A A Section line

1:20 0 1:200 10m 01m

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PROJECT TITLE Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 3: plan, sections and Trench 3a, looking north-east (1m scales) Post hole 305, looking south-west (0.4m) photographs

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 1:200, 1:20 4 N Trench 4

pit D 403 Section DD D NW SE 66.5m AOD 404

pit Evaluation trench 403 Archaeological feature (excavated / unexcavated) A A Section line

1:20 0 1:200 10m 01m

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PROJECT TITLE Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 4: plan, section and Trench 4, looking north-west (1m scales) Pit 403, looking north-east (0.5m) photographs

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 1:200, 1:20 5 N Trench 10

ditch 1003 E Section EE

NE SW 66.4m AOD 1004

ditch 1003 Evaluation trench Archaeological feature (excavated / unexcavated) A A Section line 011:20 m

0 1:200 10m

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PROJECT TITLE Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 10: plan, section and Trench 10, looking south-east (1m scales) Ditch 1003, looking south-east (1m scale) photographs

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 1:200, 1:20 6 Section FF Section GG N Trench 11 NS NE SW 66.6m 66.6m 1106 AOD 1104 AOD

post hole post hole 1103 1105

Section HH Section II

NE SW NE SW 66.6m 66.6m AOD 1106 AOD 1110

post hole post hole 1107 1109

post hole F 1103 Section JJ

F NE SW post hole 1:20 1105 G 66.6m 01m AOD 1112

post hole G 1111

post hole 1111 J post hole 1107 H J

post hole 1109 I Evaluation trench I Archaeological feature (excavated) A A Section line

051:100 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 Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 11: plan, sections and Trench 11, looking north-east (1m scales) photograph

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 1:100, 1:20 7 N Trench 12

Section KK

NE SW K 67.1m K AOD pit / post hole 1203 topsoil 1200

1201

1202

Evaluation trench 1204 Archaeological feature (excavated / unexcavated)

A A pit / post hole Section line 1203

1:20 0 1:200 10m 01m

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PROJECT TITLE Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trench 12: plan, section and Trench 12, looking north-west (1m scales) photographs

DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 1:200, 1:20 8 Trench 6, looking north-east (1m scales) Trench 7, looking north-west (1m scales)

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 9, looking north-west (1m scales) Mangrove Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE Trenches 6, 7, 8 and 9: photographs

Trench 8, looking east (1m scales) DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0139 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 08/02/2020 APPROVED BY JW SCALE@A3 NA 9