Worcestershire Archaeology Research Report No.6 Archaeological investigations at CHURCH FARM WEST, BALL MILL QUARRY, GRIMLEY Jonathan Webster Worcestershire Archaeology Research Report no 6 Archaeological investigations at Church Farm West, Ball Mill Quarry, Grimley (WSM 39877) Jonathan Webster With contributions by Hugo Anderson-Whymark, Ian Baxter, Alan Clapham, Nicholas Daffern, Emily Edwards, Laura Griffin, Robin Jackson and Ruth Shaffrey Illustrations by laura Templeton and Steve Rigby 2017 Worcestershire Archaeology Research Report no 6 Archaeological investigations at Church Farm West, Ball Mill Quarry, Grimley Published by Worcestershire Archaeology Archive & Archaeology Service, The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester. WR1 3PD ISBN 978-0-9929400-6-5 © Worcestershire County Council year Worcestershire ,County Council County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester. WR5 2NP This document is presented in a format for digital use. 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[email protected] Front cover illustration: investigation of a Romano-British enclosure ditch Contents Summary ..........................................................1 Planning background. 2 Research frameworks ..................................................3 Methods ..........................................................4 Standards and guidance. .4 Desk-based assessment and documentary research ........................4 Fieldwork methodology ...............................................5 Evaluation ........................................................5 Excavation ........................................................6 Post-fieldwork methods. 7 Structural assessment and analysis .....................................7 Radiocarbon dating methodology .......................................7 Artefact methodology Laura Griffin . 8 Artefact recovery policy ...............................................8 Method of analysis ..................................................8 Environmental archaeology methodology Alan Clapham and Nicholas Daffern . .. 8 Sampling policy .....................................................8 Method of analysis ..................................................9 Statement of confidence in the methods and results ........................9 Topographical and archaeological context .................................10 Structural analysis ....................................................12 Phasing ..........................................................12 Description by phase ...............................................12 Period 1 Geological deposits .........................................12 Period 2 Prehistoric activity. 13 Period 3 Bronze Age deposits. 13 Period 4 Iron Age deposits ...........................................14 Sub-circular ditched enclosure (CG 2702) ...............................15 Enclosure B .......................................................15 Enclosure C1 .....................................................16 Other features .....................................................16 Period 5 Romano-British activity .......................................17 i The enclosures ....................................................18 Boundary ditches and tracks/droves (Figures 8 and 9) .....................21 Other features .....................................................24 Period 6 Post-Roman/Early medieval activity .............................26 Deposits .........................................................26 Radiocarbon dating (SUERC and Nicholas Daffern) .......................27 Period 7 Medieval deposits ..........................................27 Period 8 Post-medieval/modern deposits. .27 Period 9 Undated deposits ...........................................28 Earlier prehistoric artefacts. 29 Earlier prehistoric pottery Emily Edwards . 29 Methodology ......................................................29 Condition .........................................................30 Manufacture ......................................................30 Fabric ...........................................................30 Form ............................................................31 Decoration ........................................................31 Discussion ........................................................32 The struck flint and burnt unworked flint Hugo Anderson-Whymark . 33 Introduction .......................................................33 Raw material ......................................................33 The assemblage ...................................................33 Discussion ........................................................35 Iron Age, Romano-British, medieval, post-medieval and modern artefacts Laura Griffin . 36 Iron Age pottery. .38 Middle Iron Age ....................................................38 Late Iron Age pottery ................................................39 Discussion of the Iron Age pottery .....................................39 Evidence for use. 39 Placed pots .......................................................39 Roman pottery ....................................................39 Fabrics ..........................................................40 ii Local/Regional wares ...............................................40 Non-local/traded wares ..............................................43 Imported wares ....................................................44 Miscellaneous unidentified Roman sherds of note (fabric 98) ................44 Forms ...........................................................44 Functional composition of the assemblage ...............................45 Range of forms ....................................................45 Vessel form in relation to fabric ........................................46 Severn Valley ware. 46 Malvernian wares (fabrics 3, 3.1and 19) .................................47 Black-burnished ware I (fabrics 22) ....................................47 Discussion ........................................................52 Pottery supply and use at Church Farm West ............................52 Discussion of the artefacts by enclosure ................................54 Early medieval ....................................................57 Introduction .......................................................57 Discussion of the early medieval pottery by context. .58 Sunken Featured Building 1691 .......................................58 Enclosure A: recut ditch .............................................58 Dating of the pottery ................................................58 Significance of the assemblage .......................................59 Medieval and later. .59 Other ceramic material ..............................................59 Ceramic building material ............................................59 Oven material .....................................................59 Fired clay ........................................................60 Metalwork ........................................................60 Copper Alloy ......................................................60 Personal objects ...................................................60 Coins. .61 Iron .............................................................61 Hobnails .........................................................61 Latch lifter ........................................................61 Knife ............................................................61 Lead ............................................................62 iii Slag .............................................................62 The worked stone Ruth Shaffrey . 62 Other stone Laura Griffin . 63 Pot-boilers ........................................................63 Other finds .......................................................63 Environmental analysis Alan Clapham . 63 Phase 3: Bronze Age ...............................................64 Pit [1018] .........................................................64 Pit [1245] .........................................................65 Pit [2413] .........................................................65 Phase 4: Iron Age ..................................................66 Pit [1237] .........................................................66 Enclosure B1: Context Group 2244 ....................................66 Phase 5: Romano-British ............................................69 Ditch: Context Group 1754 (Context 1753) ...............................69 Pit [2761] .........................................................69 Phase 6: Early medieval. Sunken Featured Building (1691) .................71 Phase 9: Undated ..................................................72 Pit 1069 ..........................................................72 Pit 1770 ..........................................................72 Cereal cultivation ..................................................73 Phase 3: Bronze Age ...............................................73 Phase 4: Iron Age ..................................................74 Phase 5: Romano-British ............................................74 Phase 6: Early medieval .............................................74 Undated .........................................................74 Weeds ...........................................................74 Phase 3: Bronze Age ...............................................74 Phase 4: Iron Age ..................................................76