Wessex Archaeology Plot 6, Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan Archaeological Evaluation Report Ref: 63320.02 September 2006 PLOT 6, ATLANTIC TRADING ESTATE, BARRY, VALE OF GLAMORGAN Archaeological Evaluation Report Prepared for SLR Consulting Treenwood House Rowden Lane Bradford On Avon BA15 2AY On behalf of Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council Civic Offices Holton Road Barry CF63 4RU By Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park SALISBURY Wiltshire SP4 6EB Ref 63320.02 September 2006 Wessex Archaeology Limited 2006 Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No.28778 PLOT 6, ATLANTIC TRADING ESTATE, BARRY, VALE OF GLAMORGAN Archaeological Evaluation Report Contents FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. I 1. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1 1.1 Project Background ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Site Location and Description ................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Geology and Topography ........................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Historical and Archaeological Background ........................................................................... 2 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................3 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3 3 METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................................................3 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3 3.2 Trial trench excavation ............................................................................................................ 3 3.3 Survey ........................................................................................................................................ 3 4 RESULTS .........................................................................................................................4 5 ARTEFACT SAMPLING ...............................................................................................5 6 ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING ................................................................................5 7 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................5 REFERENCES APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Trench Summaries FIGURES Figure 1: Site and evaluation trench location maps Figure 2: Sections 1 and 2 with plates i PLOT 6, ATLANTIC TRADING ESTATE, BARRY, VALE OF GLAMORGAN Archaeological Evaluation Report Summary Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by SLR Consulting, as agents to the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council, to undertake a scheme of archaeological evaluation at the site of a proposed household waste recycling centre at Plot 6, Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry (centred at NGR 313430 167220, ‘the Site’). The fieldwork was undertaken between the 6th and 10th of August 2006. No archaeological features or finds were recorded during the evaluation. Although undisturbed natural geological strata were reached in the base of all trenches, substantial deposits of modern made ground, mainly demolition debris deriving from modern-day site use, were recorded across the Site. At its south-eastern extent these deposits appeared to have been used to establish a level plateau. On the basis of the results of the trial trenching the Curator determined that no further mitigation would be required for the development of the Site. ii PLOT 6, ATLANTIC TRADING ESTATE, BARRY, VALE OF GLAMORGAN Archaeological Evaluation Report Acknowledgements The project was commissioned by SLR Consulting on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council, and Wessex Archaeology is particularly grateful to Christopher Herbert of SLR in this regard. Keith Sulsh from VoG Borough Council is thanked for his invaluable assistance throughout the fieldwork, and thanks are also extended to Jim Parry from the Curatorial Division of the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust for his helpful advice. The fieldwork was undertaken by Mike Dinwiddy, Steve George and Angela McCall. This report was prepared by Mike Dinwiddy, with illustrations prepared by Elizabeth James. Brigitte Buss managed the project on behalf of Wessex Archaeology. iii PLOT 6, ATLANTIC TRADING ESTATE, BARRY, VALE OF GLAMORGAN Archaeological Evaluation Report 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Background 1.1.1 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by SLR Consulting (‘the Client’), as agents to the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council, to undertake a scheme of archaeological evaluation at the site of a proposed household waste recycling centre at Plot 6, Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry (centred at NGR 313430 167220, hereafter ‘the Site’) (Figure 1). 1.1.2 The proposed development comprises a split level civic amenity facility, including the construction of a new access road, storage areas and a number of large hard standing areas. 1.1.3 A planning application (06/00055/REG3) for the proposed scheme has been submitted by the Client. Due to a significant archaeological resource in the area, the Curatorial Division of the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (the Council’s archaeological advisors, hereafter ‘the Curator’) required a programme of archaeological evaluation prior to the determination of the planning application. 1.1.4 Prior to the commencement of fieldwork Wessex Archaeology prepared a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI, WA doc ref T10303.01) in accordance with the specifications set by the Curator, which was subsequently approved. 1.2 Site Location and Description 1.2.1 The proposed development site forms part of Plot 6 in an industrial estate (Atlantic Trading Estate) east of the Barry Docks. To the south it borders onto the shoreline of Bridgwater Bay, whilst to the north, east and west it is bounded by the yet undeveloped part of the estate. An access track encloses the perimeter of the Site. 1.2.2 The Site is broadly triangular of approximately 1.62ha size, with a north-east aligned spur within the footprint of the proposed new access road. 1.3 Geology and Topography 1.3.1 The underlying geology of the Site consists of Triassic red mudstone of the Mercia group (BGS Drift Sheet 263, 1989). The Site lies at approximately 10m above Ordnance Datum (aOD)(OS Explorer Map 1:25 000 Map sheet 152, 1998). 1 1.3.2 Plot 6 has been under commercial use in the recent past, but is currently a derelict site covered in rough grassland. A topographic survey of the Site preceding the evaluation showed the ground to be higher along the road along the southern boundary, and it was assumed that material may have been placed along the road, effectively remodelling the Site contours, during demolition works since 1995. 1.3.3 The site of a small archaeological excavation to the south-west of the current Site (at NGR 313300 167200), undertaken by GGAT in recent years, remained exposed at the time of the field investigation. The site forms one of two Bronze Age settlement sites known in the vicinity (see Section 1.4., below). 1.4 Historical and Archaeological Background 1.4.1 The following is a summary of GGAT’s description of the general archaeological and historical background of the wider area (GGAT 2006): Bronze Age (2400-700 BC) 1.4.2 The earliest evidence for Bronze Age occupation consists of two settlement sites near the coastline (NGR 313300 167200 and 313120 167400). The evidence suggested that at least one settlement had been remodelled a number of times and had probably been in use for an extended period of time, from approximately 2000 BC to 900BC. Funerary evidence of this period is represented by the presence of a round barrow at the latter site, and by Collared Urn pottery within the former site’s assemblages. Roman (AD 43-410) 1.4.3 Evidence from the Roman period in the area consists primarily of funerary remains and coin finds. A large unfurnished, and apparently Christian, inhumation cemetery west of the former course of the Cadoxton River was excavated by GGAT in the 1980s. It produced over 45 burials, some interred in stone-lined cists, and dated by radiocarbon to between 240 and 890 AD. A further cist burial was found to the south of the Police House in Hayes Road (NGR 313820 167710). Burials around the area of the depot have also been reported on an anecdotal basis from the Second World War, leading to the area southwest of the houses in Bendrick Road being known as ‘Elephants Graveyard’. One proposed reason for the location of these features is the reported presence of a causeway linking Sully to Barry Island at low water. A road following the line of Hayes Road and Bendrick Road has been suggested for this route. Medieval (1066-1499) 1.4.4 Structural evidence for medieval occupation of the area has been limited. However, during excavations in the 1980s to the south-east of Hayes Road (NGR 313550 167610) a corn drying kiln was recorded and radiocarbon-dated to the late 11th/early 12th century. Quantities of medieval pottery have also been found in the allotments to the west of Bendrick Road and documentary records alluding