Glebe Field Coldingham Scottish Borders Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
on behalf of The Friends of Coldingham Priory Glebe Field Coldingham Scottish Borders archaeological desk-based assessment report 3537 September 2014 Contents 1. Summary 1 2. Project background 2 3. Landuse, topography and geology 3 4. Site walk‐over survey 3 5. Historical and archaeological development 3 6. The potential archaeological resource 8 7. Sources 8 Appendix 1: Historic Environment Record 10 Appendix 2: Coldingham Priory documents 15 Figures Figure 1: Site location and Historic Environment Record Figure 2: Site as existing Figure 3: Extract from Bleau’s Merce or Shirrefdome of Berwick, 1654 Figure 4: Extract from Armstrong’s Map of the County of Berwick, 1771 Figure 5: Extract from Ordnance Survey map, 1858 Figure 6: Extract from Ordnance Survey map, 1899 Figure 7: Extract from Ordnance Survey map, 1908 Figure 8: The northern part of the site, looking north‐east Figure 9: The southern part of the site, looking south‐east © Archaeological Services Durham University 2014 Green Lane Durham DH1 3LA tel 0191 334 1121 fax 0191 334 1126 [email protected] www.dur.ac.uk/archaeological.services Glebe Field· Coldingham· Scottish Borders· desk-based assessment· report 3537· September 2014 1. Summary The project The project 1.1 This report presents the results of a desk‐based assessment conducted on Glebe Field, close to Coldingham Priory, as part of ongoing research by the Friends of Coldingham Priory. 1.2 Additional current research involves a geophysical survey. This work is presented in a separate report. 1.3 The works were commissioned by the Friends of Coldingham Priory and conducted by Archaeological Services Durham University. The archaeological resource 1.4 There is no direct evidence for prehistoric or Roman activity within the study area, and a possible prehistoric enclosure found by geophysical survey in 1998 may in fact be medieval. However, the presence of activity in the surrounding vicinity indicates that an as yet unidentified resource has the potential to exist. 1.5 Several early medieval ditches survive immediately to the west of the study area and are likely to extend into Glebe Field. Several cist burials have been found to the east of the northern end of Glebe Field around St Michael’s Knowe and have the potential to be early medieval in date. These suggest a focus of burial around St Michael’s Knowe, which could be indicative of the presence of an early medieval church or monastery. 1.6 Later medieval burials associated with Coldingham Priory appear to have extended towards St Michael’s Knowe, and it is possible that activity relating to the later medieval priory also extended into Glebe Field. This may have impacted upon the survival of any potential early medieval archaeology. 1.7 There is a growing body of evidence for early medieval occupation of Coldingham in the St Michael’s Knowe area. This includes cist burials and radiocarbon dating of ditches. St Michael’s Knowe would benefit from further investigations using geophysical survey techniques to establish the extent and nature of this activity, although it is likely that archaeological excavation would be required to prove whether any potential remains are associated with the early medieval monastery of St Æbba. Archaeological Services Durham University 1 Glebe Field· Coldingham· Scottish Borders· desk-based assessment· report 3537· September 2014 2. Project background Location (Figures 1 & 2) 2.1 The study area comprised the Glebe Field in Coldingham, near Eyemouth, Scottish Borders (NGR centre: NT 9054 6600). The field lies to the east of the Scheduled Monument of Coldingham Priory, which includes the conventual remains of a Benedictine priory and an area which may have been occupied by outlying monastic buildings to the east of the church and cloister. It was anticipated that remains associated with the earlier, Anglian, monastery might also be present within Glebe Field. 2.2 The study area covered approximately 1.6ha. To the north is Chariot Road and housing, to the east is a caravan and camping ground, and to the south is St Andrew’s Burn with an arable field beyond. Objective 2.3 The principal objectives of the assessment were: to determine the potential for the presence of the early medieval monastery at Coldingham to contribute to ongoing research by the Friends of Coldingham Priory 2.4 Additional research comprises a geophysical survey for the study area. This work is presented in a separate report (Archaeological Services 2014). Methods statement 2.5 The assessment was undertaken following discussions with the Friends of Coldingham Priory and Dr Chris Bowles (Archaeology Officer for Scottish Borders Council and advisor to the Friends), and in accordance with a methods statement prepared by Archaeological Services Durham University (ref DH 14.44) and national standards and guidance. Dates 2.6 The field visit took place on 18th August 2014. This report was prepared for September 2014. Personnel 2.7 Research and report preparation was conducted by Jamie Armstrong, with graphics by Janine Watson. The Project Manager was Duncan Hale. OASIS 2.8 Archaeological Services Durham University is registered with the Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS project (OASIS). The OASIS ID number for this project is archaeol3‐189793. Acknowledgements 2.9 Archaeological Services is grateful to the Friends of Coldingham Priory, particularly Anne Dall and David Campbell (Secretary and Treasurer, respectively), and to the landowner and Scottish Borders Council for their support. Archaeological Services Durham University 2 Glebe Field· Coldingham· Scottish Borders· desk-based assessment· report 3537· September 2014 3. Landuse, topography and geology 3.1 The study area comprised one field, recently cut for hay. 3.2 The northern half of the field is predominantly level with a mean elevation of approximately 57m OD, while the southern half slopes gently down to the south, to St Andrew’s Burn at approximately 51m OD. 3.3 The underlying solid geology of the area comprises Early Devonian andesite and basalt of the Eyemouth Volcanic Formation, which are generally overlain by Devensian till except in the south where a band of alluvium flanks the burn. 4. Site walk‐over survey (Figures 8 & 9) 4.1 A walk‐over survey was conducted, to help ascertain the potential of the proposed development area to contain any archaeological resource. Topography, earthworks, areas of modern overburden, modern services, boundaries, buildings and other upstanding remains were recorded where present. A pro forma recording sheet was completed. 4.2 The field is currently used for hay and is generally bounded by hedges and wire fences, with stone walls to the west and south‐west around the Manse. It has only been ploughed occasionally in recent decades (farmer, pers.comm.). Telegraph poles were present in the north‐west, central and south‐eastern parts of the field. 4.3 No earthworks or ridge and furrow were noted on the ground. Ploughing has the potential to impact upon any surviving archaeological resource. 5. Historical and archaeological development 5.1 The main focus of this assessment is to discuss the potential for the early medieval monastery at Coldingham to be located to the east of the former Coldingham Priory. Therefore the presence of archaeology from other periods is only summarised. The prehistoric and Roman periods (up to 5th century AD) 5.2 The earliest evidence of activity dates to the prehistoric period. A stone axe and a flint spearhead (HER NT96NW 20) were found near the town in 1920. Several cropmarks of presumed prehistoric settlements have been found around Coldingham, including at Temple Hall, Applincross and Scavieburn Bridge (HER NT86NE 38; NT96NW56, 140 & 142). Two cists have been found, one at Bee Edge (HER NT86NE28), and the other to the east of Applin Cross (HER NT96NW 7). Roman coins have also been found amongst early Northumbrian coinage (HER NT96NW 28). A geophysical survey of the Scoutscroft Holiday Centre in 1998 found evidence for a possible prehistoric enclosure in the study area (Glendinning 1998), although subsequent excavations immediately to the west in Abbey Yards Field indicate that it is possible that this is a medieval feature (below, paragraph 5.18). 5.3 There is evidence that the surrounding area was exploited in prehistory. A resource relating to this exploitation may therefore survive within the study area. Archaeological Services Durham University 3 Glebe Field· Coldingham· Scottish Borders· desk-based assessment· report 3537· September 2014 The early medieval period (5th century to 1066) 5.4 Precisely when the Anglian monastery at Coldingham was established is not known. In his Ecclesisatical History, Bede recounts how in 660AD Etheldreda, wife of King Ecgfrith, entered the convent at Urbs Coludi under St Æbba who, as sister to Kings Oswald and Oswui, was Ecgfrith’s aunt (Sherley‐Price 1955, 233). This suggests that the monastery had already been founded. Its location is unclear too: Alcock argues that, as the monastery is referred to in Anglo‐Saxon as Olodesbyrig and Colodaesburg, which would refer to forts, and in Latin by Bede as Urbs Coludi and Coludi Urbs, or the town/fort of Colud, the monastery was probably located within an existing fortification (Alcock et al 1986, 256). Such a location is not unlikely at this time (e.g. York and Chester‐le‐Street). However, it is possible that there was a fortification called Colodaesburg with the monastery located nearby, as was the case with Lindisfarne and Bamburgh. 5.5 It is unclear whether Coldingham monastery was a new or an established foundation, although the presence of two royal ladies would doubtless have brought wealth and influence to the monastery. It was visited by Cuthbert, as recorded by both Bede in his Vita Sancti Cuthberti and the anonymous author of another Vitae (Colgrave 1969, 81 & 189).