Archaeological Evaluation - Cotswold Archaeology · Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire where...

Reddings Lane Staunton

Gloucestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

July 2013

for Totmoor Ltd

CA Project: 4393 CA Report: 13433

Reddings Lane

Staunton Gloucestershire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 4393 CA Report: 13433

prepared by Chris Ellis, Senior Project Officer

date 12 July 2013

checked by Laurent Coleman, Project Manager

date 12 July 2013

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 12 July 2013

issue 01

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.

© Cotswold Archaeology

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Office 49 Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Basepoint Business Centre Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Caxton Close, Andover Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS Hampshire, SP10 3FG t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 326549 f. 01285 771033

e. [email protected]


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Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 3

The site .............................................................................................................. 3

Archaeological background ................................................................................ 4

Archaeological objectives ................................................................................... 4

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

The finds ............................................................................................................ 8

The palaeoenvironmental evidence .................................................................... 11

3. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 12

4. CA PROJECT TEAM .......................................................................................... 14

5. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 15

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................... 17

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS .............................................................................................. 21

APPENDIX D: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ......................................... 22

APPENDIX F: OASIS REPORT FORM ........................................................................... 23

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)

Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing archaeological features and geophysical survey

results (1:500)

Fig. 3 Trench 6: sections (1:20) and photographs

Fig. 4 Trench 7: sections (1:20) and photographs

Fig. 5 Trench 9: section (1:20) and photograph

Fig. 6 General view of site looking north-east from south-western corner of site (note ridge

of high ground, centre background)


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SUMMARY

Project Name: Reddings Lane

Location: Staunton, Gloucestershire

NGR: SO 5485 1287

Type: Evaluation

Date: 25 to 27 June 2013

Planning Reference: Forest of Dean District Council Ref. No: P0170/13/OUT

Location of Archive: To be deposited with Dean Heritage Centre

Accession Number: SOYDH: 2013.43

Site Code: RDL 13

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in June 2013 at

Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire where a total of nine trenches was excavated.

The evaluation confirmed the results of the earlier geophysical survey, which indicated that

the main area of archaeological potential lay in the southern part of the site. This comprised

the northern part of a ditched enclosure with a number of internal small pits and postholes,

with the features containing domestic butchery waste and industrial (iron smelting) waste.

This evidence, in conjunction with some evidence for post-built structures, human remains

(two skull fragments) and other dateable artefactual evidence from the enclosure area,

indicates ironworking and/or occupation from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD.

Probable broadly contemporary activity comprising a ditch in the northern part of the site and

a pit containing further evidence for ironworking to the east of the enclosure was also

identified.

Post-medieval and modern quarrying and/or areas of disturbance were also identified.


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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In June 2013 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation

for Totmoor Limited at Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR:

SO 5485 1287; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany an outline

planning application (Forest of Dean District Council Planning Ref: no.

P0170/13/OUT).

1.2 The application has been made to Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC) for

development of 15 residential units (including 6 affordable units) with new vehicular

access, public open space, pavilion and associated landscaping. An archaeological

evaluation of the site was recommended by Mr Charles Parry, Archaeologist,

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), the archaeological advisor to FoDDC.

1.3 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with an agreed Written Scheme of

Investigation (CA 2013a) prepared by CA and approved by Mr Parry, Archaeologist,

GCC. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and guidance for archaeological field

evaluation (IfA 2009), the Statements of Standards and Practices Appropriate for

Archaeological Fieldwork in Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire County Council

1995), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the

Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project

Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006).

The site 1.4 The proposed development area encloses an area of 1.5ha, and comprises

farmland on the northern edge of the village of Staunton. The site is enclosed to the

north, east and west by Highmeadow Woods and to the south by residential

properties and pasture land. The site lies at approximately 223m AOD with a

characteristic north/south orientated ridge of higher ground (Fig. 6) to the west of the

central part of the site (c. 223m AOD), dropping down to c. 220m AOD to the south

and south-west.

1.5 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Avon Group Mudstone

and Limestone of the Carboniferous Period with no overlying superficial deposits

(BGS 2013). The natural substrate, mudstones and clays, was recorded in all of the

evaluation trenches.


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Archaeological background 1.6 The site has been the subject of a detailed Archaeology and Heritage Appraisal (CA

2013b) and a geophysical survey (PCG 2013), from which the information below is

derived.

1.7 No recorded heritage assets lie within the proposed development site. The projected

course of a Roman road is thought to run close to the southern boundary of the site

and the possible location of a Roman signal station is recorded 280m to the south of

the site. The site lies outside of the known medieval settlement of Staunton and is

likely to have formed part of the agricultural hinterland of the medieval and post-

medieval village. The geophysical survey detected a number of ditches in the

southern part of the site, potentially defining two enclosed areas (anomalies 1 and 2)

with internal features. The form of these enclosures may be suggestive of a

prehistoric or Roman date. The survey also detected some discrete anomalies (3

and 5) across the development site with high magnetic responses, possibly

suggestive of kilns or similar features. A broad north/south orientated anomaly (4)

was thought to relate to quarrying activity.

Archaeological objectives 1.8 The objectives of the evaluation were to provide information about the

archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character,

extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality. In accordance with the

Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation (IfA 2009), the evaluation

was designed to be minimally intrusive and minimally destructive to archaeological

remains. The information gathered will enable FoDDC to identify and assess the

particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed

development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s

conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the National

Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).

Methodology

1.9 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of nine trenches, eight trenches 20m long

(Trenches 1-8) and a single trench 10m long (Trench 9), all 1.8m wide. Trench

locations are shown on Figure 2. The trenches were mainly targeted on geophysical

anomalies of possible archaeological significance (Trenches 1, 3, 5 - 9), but also

targeted blank areas. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-


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ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4

Survey Manual (2012).

1.10 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 (2007).

1.11 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 (2003) and were sampled and processed

accordingly All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with Technical

Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).

1.12 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their

offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will

be deposited with the Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, Gloucestershire under

accession number SOYDH: 2013.43, 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.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-5)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of

the recorded contexts, finds, animal bone and palaeoenvironmental evidence are to

be found in Appendices A, B, C and D respectively.

2.2 The natural substrate comprised mudstone and silty clay at depths of between

0.25m and 0.65m below present ground level (bpgl). All archaeological features or

deposits on the site cut or overlay the natural substrate. The fills of the

archaeological features, and/or the natural substrate, was overlain by subsoil and/or

topsoil.


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2.3 In Trench 7 the fills of the archaeological features were overlain by deposit 702. This

deposit was 0.21m thick, comprised dark brown silt containing frequent inclusions of

iron working slag, clinker, charcoal and bone and extended along the whole length

of the trench. Deposit 702 was overlain by subsoil 701 and topsoil 700.

2.4 No archaeological features were recorded in Trenches 2, 4, 5 and 8. Post-medieval

and/or modern disturbance was identified in Trench 3.

Trench 1 (Fig 2) 2.5 North/south orientated ditch 103 was identified in the north-western part of the

trench. The ditch was 1.85m wide and 0.25m deep with a moderate, flattened V-

shaped profile. The single fill 104, comprised a mid greyish-brown clayey silt, which

contained two sherds of Severn Valley Ware Roman pottery and charcoal flecks.

The ditch correlated with an anomaly (5) identified by the geophysical survey.

Trench 6 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.6 Ditch 603 was aligned north-west/south-east, was 2.27m wide, and 0.32m deep with

a shallow, U-shaped profile. The single fill 602, a dark brown clayey silt, contained

pottery of late 2nd to mid 3rd century AD date, fired clay, some furnace lining,

ironworking slag and burnt stone.

2.7 Ditch 607 (Fig. 3, Section AA) was aligned north-east/south-west with a steep, V-

shaped profile. It was 2.6m wide and 0.9m deep with mid brown clayey silt fills 606,

605 and 604. Fill 605 contained Late Iron Age to 1st century AD pottery, a human

skull fragment, animal bone and ironworking slag.

2.8 Five small pits, 609, 611, 613, 615, 616, in the eastern part of the trench had similar

dimensions and fills. Pits 609 (Fig. 3, Section BB) and 611 (Fig. 3, Section CC) were

excavated and both were c. 0.9m diameter and c. 0.4m deep with moderate

concave sides. Fill 610 of pit 611 contained frequent charcoal and ironworking slag,

fired clay including fragments of hearth/furnace lining and a possible lump of iron

ore. The fill, 608, of pit 609 was of similar character but did not contain any dating

evidence

2.9 A bulk sample from fill 610, pit 611, <SS 2> Appendix C, also contained a human

skull fragment. This skull fragment was not derived from the same individual as that

recorded from ditch 607.


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2.10 The ditches identified during the evaluation correlation corresponded closely to the

anomalies identified during the geophysical survey. The small pits and/or postholes

identified towards the eastern end of the trench corresponded to a large, discrete

geophysical anomaly.

Trench 7 (Figs 2 & 4) 2.11 A number of small pits and postholes, 707, 708, 710, 713, 715, 722, 724, 726, 730,

732, 734 was identified in the western part of the trench. The excavated features,

707, 708 (Fig. 4, Section DD), 710, 713, 715 and 722 (Fig. 4, Section FF) were

shallow (0.1m to 0.2m) and had diameters of 0.25m to 0.5m.

2.12 All six excavated posthole/pits had moderately sloping, U-shaped profiles and very

similar fills, 706, 709, 711, 714, 715 and 723; dark orange/brown silty clays with

frequent inclusions of charcoal and burnt stone fragments. Only two of these

features were dated: Fill 709, pit 708, contained a decorated strip of copper alloy

(Registered Artefact No. 1) which is probably Roman in date. Fill 711, pit 710,

contained sherds of Roman Severn Valley Ware pottery.

2.13 Ditch 721 (Fig. 4, Section EE) was orientated north/south and was located in the

eastern part of the trench. It was 2.9m wide and >0.88m deep with a steep, V-

shaped profile. The first fill, 720, comprised light yellow brown clay silt containing

Late Iron Age/Early Roman pottery, iron working slag and animal bone and it

appeared to be derived from erosion of the ditch sides. The second fill, 719,

comprised mid grey brown silty clay with red clay mottling and contained Late Iron

Age/Early Roman pottery, iron working slag, burnt stone and fired clay, including

furnace lining fragments. The third and fourth fills, 718 and 717, comprised mid to

dark grey brown silty clays with charcoal inclusions Fill 717 also contained iron

working slag and fired/burnt clay.

2.14 All of the archaeological features in Trench 7 were sealed by deposit 702. This

deposit was characterised by dark brown silt containing common iron working slag,

clinker, charcoal and bone. Deposit 702 was overlain by subsoil 701 and topsoil 700.

and laid directly below the subsoil 701.

2.15 Enclosure ditch 721 corresponded with the anomaly identified during the

geophysical survey. A large discrete anomaly was identified at the western end of

the trench and a number of small pits/postholes were identified in this location. A


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number of features were identified to the east and these did not closely correspond

to any particular geophysical anomaly.

Trench 9 (Figs 2 & 5) 2.16 A large sub-oval pit, 903 (Fig. 5, Section GG) was identified in the north-eastern part

of the trench. The pit was 3m long, >1m wide and 0.25m deep, and had moderately

sloping, concave sides and a concave base. The pit had two dark reddish-brown

silty clay fills (904, 905) which contained frequent ironworking slag lumps (<0.15m)

and burnt stone inclusions as well as charcoal flecks. The latest fill 905 also

contained animal bone. Although no dating evidence was recovered, the similarity of

the pit fills and the inclusions to those identified within the enclosure would suggest

the pit is broadly contemporary to those features. The feature corresponded to an

anomaly, 3, possibly representing a kiln, identified by the geophysical survey.

The finds 2.17 Finds recovered during the evaluation included pottery, a copper alloy item, animal

bone, burnt bone, fired or burnt clay, burnt stone, a fragment of iron ore and a large

amount of iron-working slag (Table 2 - Appendix B).

Pottery

2.18 The earliest dateable material consists of pottery in handmade limestone-tempered

fabrics recorded from ditch 603 (fill 605, 36 sherds) and ditch 721 (fill 719, two

sherds). This pottery was produced from as early as the Late Iron Age and spanned

the Late Iron Age and early Romano-British periods.

2.19 Ditch fills 605 and 719 each contained one undecorated rimsherd which conform to

the ‘Class A’ type jars as defined by Spencer (1983). Similar pottery has been

recorded from Lydney in the Forest of Dean (CA 2013c), only 9km to the south-east

of Staunton.

2.20 Severn Valley Ware pottery of Roman date was recovered unstratified from Trench

7 (four sherds), from ditch 103 (fill 104, two sherds), ditch 603 (fill 602, 15 sherds)

and pit 710 (fill 712, two sherds). This type of pottery is very commonly found

across north Gloucestershire. Material from fill 602, ditch 603, includes three

rimsherds from a straight-sided tankard, which dates to the earlier part of the

Romano-British period (Webster 1976).


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2.21 Also recovered from ditch fill 602 were four sherds of a more narrowly dateable

pottery type, Black Burnished ware 1 imported from Dorset. The forms (including a

dish) and decoration identify these sherds as dating to the late 2nd to early 3rd

centuries.

Other Finds

2.22 A thin, flat strip of copper alloy (Registered Artefact No.1) was recovered from pit

708 (fill 709). It featured incised zig-zag decoration; although the date and original

function are unknown it is possibly of Roman date.

2.23 Quantities of burnt stone were recovered from ditch 603 (fill 602, one fragment) and

ditch 721 (fill 719, five fragments). These may be associated with industrial activity

on the site.

2.24 Two fragments of human bone from two separate individuals were recovered from

the evaluation which derived from ditch 607 (fill 605) and pit 611 (fill 610) in Trench

6. The fragment from Late Iron Age/Early Roman enclosure ditch fill 605 comprised

an adult occipital bone fragment, probably female, with a chop mark through the left

lateral portion, probably indicating a decapitation. The second fragment from pit fill

610, was an adult skull vault (parietal bone) fragment.

Animal Bone

2.25 A small collection of animal bones was recovered, comprising 164 fragments with a

total weight of 449g (Table 1). The bones were present in four contexts, from

enclosure ditches 607 (fill 605) and 721 (fill 720) as well as from pit 722 (fill 723) and

pit 903 (fill 905). The bone was moderately well preserved, with some fragments

having quite eroded cortices while others were in very good condition.

2.26 Bones of cattle (Bos taurus) were present in all contexts, and included both cranial

and post-cranial bones. One neonatal mandible was present in ditch 721 (fill 720),

which indicates that cattle were bred on or nearby the site.

2.27 Caprovine (Ovis aries/Capra hircus) remains were present in two contexts. Ditch

607 (fill 605) included fragments of a mandible, sacrum, radius and a tibia. The

second context 723 (pit 722), included the metacarpal and phalanges from a right

forelimb


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2.28 A total of 15 bones were identified as pig (Sus scrofa sp.), and were found in ditch fill

720 and pit fill 723. In the latter context, which was the same feature which included

the caprovine forelimb (see above), the identified bones included tarsal bones,

fragment of a metatarsal and two phalanges which all probably derive from the same

hind limb.

2.29 A distal humerus fragment in fill 605, ditch 607, was identified as dog (Canis

familiaris). The bone derived from an adult animal.

Summary

2.30 The animal bones represent domestic refuse, which include both slaughter and food

waste. Pit 722 (fill 723) included cut off of meat-poor limbs bones of caprovine and

pig, and represent butchery waste refuse.

Metallurgical residues 2.31 A large quantity of ironworking residues (35.9kg) was recorded from nine deposits

(Appendix B).

2.32 The large bulk consists of moderately dense, blocky slags of the kind which can be

produced from either smithing or smelting processes. Although indeterminate of

process the quantities of material, absence of uniquely smithing-related residues

and association with some smelting slags (below), are indications that the dense

slags relate to iron smelting. Quantities of very dense ‘tap’ slag with lustrous

surfaces and ‘ropey’ structure were noted from some deposits (i.e. enclosure ditch

721 (fills 719 and 720) and pit 903 (fill 904).

2.33 ‘Tap slags’ are a characteristic by-product of smelting processes, and more

particularly deriving from the use of tapping furnaces, where molten slag was

released through a hole at the base of the furnace structure. The earliest tapping

furnaces date to the Late Iron Age and are prevalent throughout the Roman period.

2.34 Fragments of fired clay hearth/furnace lining, with very clear indications of contact

with extreme heat or with adhering slag were recorded from pit 611 (fill 610) and

enclosure ditch 721 (fill 719). A large fragment from ditch fill 719 is of half-round

section and possibly derives from the upper, open part of the furnace structure. A


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single fragment of iron-rich stone from pit fill 610 is probably representative of

unused ore.

2.35 The Forest of Dean is a known area of both iron extraction and production in the

Roman period (Cleere 1985). The association of iron working residues with Late Iron

Age/early Roman pottery from enclosure ditch 607 (fill 605) and pit 708 (fill 709) is

significant as, potentially early evidence for iron working in the area.

The palaeoenvironmental evidence 2.36 Two environmental samples (20 litres of soil) were retrieved from two deposits with

the intention of recovering evidence of industrial or domestic activity and material for

radiocarbon dating. The samples were processed by standard flotation procedures

(CA Technical Manual No. 2) ; Appendix 1

2.37 Fill 723 <1> was recovered from undated pit 722, though is probably of Late Iron

Age or Early Roman date. This pit contained no plant macrofossil material and the

small amount of charcoal recovered was too highly fragmented to identify. The small

amount of material recovered is suggestive of scattered or wind-blown hearth or

furnace waste.

2.38 Sample <2> was retrieved from fill 610 within pit 611 was also undated but

contained a fragment of possible iron ore and a human skull fragment. As it was

within a small group of similar features it probably dates from the Late Iron Age to

Middle Roman periods. The sample contained no plant macrofossil material and a

moderate amount of charcoal identified as sessile/pedunculate oak (Quercus

petraea/Quercus robur), alder/hazel (Alnus glutinosa/Corylus avellana) and hazel.

The charcoal within this pit is representative of waste firing debris used in the

smelting process which produced the slag waste within the pit. The hazel and oak

within the pit would most likely have been used as charcoal rather than timbers.

Charcoal was typically used as it was the only fuel capable of reaching temperatures

required for metallurgical processing.

2.39 Any of the hazel or alder/hazel charcoal from pit 611 would be suitable for

radiocarbon dating.


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3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The evaluation has confirmed the results of the earlier geophysical survey, which

indicated that the main area of archaeological potential lay in the southern part of

the site. Overall, there was a very good correlation between the earlier geophysical

survey results (PCG 2013) and archaeological features recorded in the present

evaluation: The enclosure and associated anomalies identified by the geophysical

survey in the southern part of the site corresponded closely to the excavated

features, although additional features were also identified, especially in Trench 7. A

few anomalies were found to represent geological activity (for example Trenches 5

and 8). The possible quarrying (anomaly 4; Trench 3) corresponded to a ridge of

higher ground (Fig. 6) and post-medieval/modern disturbance.

3.2 The results of the evaluation indicate possible occupation and iron smelting of 1st

century BC to mid 3rd century AD associated with a ditched enclosure. Aside from

some minor post-medieval and modern activity no post-Roman activity has been

recorded on the site.

Late Iron Age to Early Roman 3.3 The earliest identified features comprised enclosure ditches 607 and 721 in

Trenches 6 and 7 respectively, which clearly correlate with a ditched enclosure

recorded from the geophysical survey (PCG 2013, anomalies 1 and 2). The ditch

fills contained 1st century BC to 2nd century AD limestone tempered pottery, a

human skull fragment (ditch 607) and animal bone (domestic butchery waste). The

fills also contained ironworking slag, fired clay lumps indicative of hearth lining or

furnace material and burnt stone, all indicative of iron smelting. The lack of any later

dateable finds from the enclosure ditch would suggest its construction and initial use

occurred in the 1st century BC.

Roman 3.4 Ditch 603, which bisects the enclosure into two roughly equal areas, was also visible

in the geophysical survey (PCG 2013). Its single fill 602 contained Black Burnished

Ware pottery from Dorset with a characteristic form of late 2nd to early-mid 3rd

century AD date, as well as sherds of a Severn Valley Ware tankard dated to the

earlier Roman period. Fill 602 also contained iron working slag, fired clay lumps from

hearth linings or furnace material, and burnt stone. Ditch 603 respects the earlier

enclosure ditch to the north-west, and the near-symmetrical division of the


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enclosure’s interior by ditch 603, would indicate that there was continued occupation

and development of the enclosure and continuing ironworking to the mid 3rd century

AD.

3.5 The charcoal from undated, though probable Late Iron Age/Early Roman pit, 611 (fill

610) is waste firing material suggests the use of oak and hazel charcoal for the iron

smelting on site. The charcoal would be suitable for radiocarbon dating.

3.6 Two sherds of Severn Valley Ware pottery were recovered ditch 103, which may be

residual in date and this ditch is probably broadly contemporary with the activity

identified to the south. Further Severn Valley Ware sherds, were recovered from pit

710, fill 712).

3.7 The recovery of two human skull fragments (one possibly suggesting decapitation)

from two different individuals may be indicative of funerary activity.

Undated 3.8 A number of shallow pits and postholes were recorded in Trenches 6 and 7 within

the enclosure. The similar fills contained frequent inclusions of iron working slag,

fired clay lumps including furnace fragments or hearth linings, iron ore, pottery as

well animal bone. A decorated copper alloy strip from pit 708 (fill 709) is undated

though is probably of Roman date and it is probable that all of these features

(together with pit 903 to the east) are broadly contemporary.

3.9 The evidence for post-built structures, in conjunction with human remains, domestic

butchery waste and common iron working residues and associated materials point to

continuous activity both within and slightly outside the enclosure from the 1st century

BC to the mid 3rd century AD. This is also reflected in the deposit 702, recorded

within the enclosure, which probably derived from the settlement and industrial

activities in the vicinity.

3.10 The Forest of Dean was a highly important area in the Late Iron Age and Roman

periods for iron ore extraction and iron working (Jones and Mattingly 1990 cf.

Fulford and Allen 1987, fig. 25). A number of nearby iron smelting sites, mostly later

Roman, have been investigated recently at Woolaston (Fulford and Allen 1992),

Blakeney (Barber and Holbrook 2000) and Lydney (CA 2009) with comparable


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artefactual assemblages of metallurgical waste and fired clay fragments, although

furnaces were also recorded at Woolaston (Fulford and Allen 1992).

3.11 The end of activity on the site in the mid 3rd century AD follows the fieldwork

conclusions of Allen and Fulford (1987) which indicate that iron production using

Forest of Dean ores appears to have expanded away from the Dean ore fields in the

3rd and 4th centuries AD.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Chris Ellis, assisted by Alex Thompson, Andrew

Loader, and Hazel O’Neil. The report was written by Chris Ellis, assisted by Ed

McSloy, Jackie Sommerville, Sarah Cobain and Jonny Geber. The illustrations were

prepared by Dan Bashford. The archive has been compiled by Chris Ellis, and

prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by

Laurent Coleman.


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5. REFERENCES

Allen, J. R. L. and Fulford, M. G. 1987 ‘Romano-British settlement and industry on the

wetlands of the Severn Estuary’, Antiq. Journ. lxvii 9 (part ii), 237 – 289.

Barber, A. J. and Holbrook, N. 2000 ‘A Roman iron-smelting site at Blakeney,

Gloucestershire: excavations at Millend Lane 1997’. Trans. Bristol and

Gloucestershire Archaeological Society 118, 33 – 60.

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer

http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 9 July

2013

Cleere H. 1985 ‘Ironworking in the Economy of the Ancient World: the potential of

Archaeometallurgy,’ in B. G. Scott and H. F. Cleere (eds) The crafts of the

blacksmith (Belfast), 1-6.

Cotswold Archaeology 2009 Land east of Lydney, Gloucestershire: Archaeological

Evaluation. CA Report No. 09109

Cotswold Archaeology 2013a Reddings Lane, Staunton, Coleford, Gloucestershire: Written

Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation

Cotswold Archaeology 2013b Land off Reddings Lane, Staunton, Coleford, Gloucestershire:

Archaeology and Heritage Appraisal. CA Report No. 13039

Cotswold Archaeology 2013c Land South of Lakeside Avenue, Tutnalls, Lydney,

Gloucestershire. Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design. CA

Report No. 13128

DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) 2012 National Planning Policy

Frameworks

Fulford, M. G. and Allen, J. R. L. 1992 ‘Ironmaking at the Chesters Villa, Woolaston,

Gloucestershire: survey and excavation 1987 – 91’, Britannia XXIII, 159 – 215.

Jones B. and Mattingly D. 1990 Atlas of Roman Britain.


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Pre-construction Geophysics Ltd 2013 Archaeological Geophysical Survey: Land off

Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire.

Spencer, B. 1983. ‘Limestone-Tempered Pottery from South Wales in the Late Iron Age and

Early Roman Period, Bull Board Celtic Stud. 30, 405-19.

Webster, P.V. 1976. ‘Severn Valley Ware: A Preliminary Study’, TBGAS. XC1V, 18-46.


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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

• Contexts recorded but not excavated.

Trench No.

Context No.

Type Fill of Context interpretation

Description L (m)

W (m) Depth/thickness (m)

Spot-date

1 100 Layer topsoil Light greyish-brown slightly clayey silt.mid grey brown silty clay

0.28

1 101 Layer subsoil Natural silt - a strongly coloured light reddish-brown silty clay. Overlies 102 in eastern c.8m of trench.

8 1.8 0.22

1 102 Layer Natural substrate

Tabular pale grey mudstone(?) blocks (<50mm thick, 0.25m in size).

12 1.8 >0.22

1 103 Cut ditch North/south aligned ditch in west end of trench. Cuts 101.

1.8> 1.1 0.25

1 104 Fill 103 ditch fill Single primary fill remnant of ditch 102. Mid greyish-brown clayey silt with rare charcoal flecks and mudstone fragments. Contains Roman pottery and slag.

Roman

2 200 Layer topsoil Mid grey silt, friable, loose. 0.23

2 201 Layer natural substrate

Strongly coloured reddish-brown sandy silty clay with common mudstone frag’s.

0.07

3 300 Layer topsoil Mid greyish-brown slightly clayey silt with rare mudstone frag’s.

0.28


Pale grey tabular (c.60mm thick) blocks (<0.3m) with cleavage planes N/S aligned and dipping down 45 degrees to the east.

>0.32

3 *302 Cut quarry pit Large feature cutting 301 with vertical sides.

2.4 >1.8 >0.34

3 *303 Layer 302 quarry infill Series of very loose dark greyish brown sandy silt deposits with coal, iron slag and charcoal.

modern

3 *304 Cut quarry pit Small quarry pit at the western end of trench with steep, flat sides and a flat base.

1.4 >0.5 0.34

3 *305 Layer 304 quarry infill Dark brown slightly clayey silt, contains iron slag, fuel ash slag and modern pottery.

modern

3 *306 Layer disturbance Very dark grey slightly clayey silt, loose, friable. Contains iron slag, charcoal, modern cbm &, pottery.

4.3 >1.8 - modern

4 400 Layer topsoil Mid brown sandy clayey silt. 0.15


Mid reddish-brown silty clay, natural infilling deposit of hollows in underlying bedrock.

13 1.8 0.25


Light reddish-brown silty clay, natural infilling deposit of hollows in underlying bedrock which is exposed in places.

7 1.8 -

5 500 Layer topsoil Mid greyish-brown sandy silt with sandstone frag’s and charcoal. Thickest at west end of trench.

20 1.8 0.4

5 501 Layer subsoil Light brown silty clay with reddish hue. Physically over 503 in east half of trench.

10 1.8 0.16


Very strongly coloured pale reddish-brown slightly silty clay with rare yellowish-brown sandstone frag’s (<80mm). Thickest at west. Only in western c.7m.

7 1.8 >0.1


18


Trench No.

Context No.


Description L (m)


Spot-date


Light greenish-grey tabular mudstone, bedding planes near-vertical and N/S aligned. Directly below 500 in east half of trench. Dips gently down to the west.

10 1.8 >0.1

6 600 Layer topsoil Mid brown silt 0.42


Mottled orange/brown silty clay (with reddish hue).

>0.21

6 602 Layer 603 ditch fill Dark brown clayey silt, below 600. Contained burnt stone, slag, fired clay (furnace lining) and Roman pottery.

0.32 LC2 – EMC3

6 603 Cut ditch NW/SE aligned ditch correlates with ‘internal’ enclosure ditch on geophysical survey. Shallow U-shaped cut.

>1.8 2.27 0.32

6 604 Fill 607 ditch fill Mid brown clayey silt, below 600. 0.46

6 605 Fill 607 ditch fill Mid brown clayey silt, below 604. Contains LIA/ERB pottery, human and animal bone and slag lumps.

0.71 LIA – C1

6 606 Fill 607 ditch fill Mid brown clayey silt 0.09

6 607 Cut ditch NE/SW aligned ditch correlates with enclosure ditch on geophysical survey. Steep U-shaped cut.

>1.8 2.6 0.9

6 608 Fill 609 pit fill Mid brown clayey silt. Single fill of pit 609.

6 609 Cut pit Circular pit with a steep, U-shaped profile.

0.86 0.86 0.35

6 610 Fill 611 pit fill Black clayey silt. Single fill of pit 611, contains abundant charcoal, fired clay (furnace/hearth lining), slag lumps, human bone, and possible iron ore frag..

6 611 Cut pit Sub-circular pit with a steep, U-shaped profile.

0.88 >0.42

0.42

6 *612 Fill 613 pit fill Black clayey silt. Fill of pit 613, contains abundant charcoal and slag lumps. Not excavated.

6 *613 Cut pit Sub-circular pit. Not excavated. 0.8 0.8 -

6 *614 Fill 613 pit fill Black clayey silt. Fill of pit 613, contains abundant charcoal and slag lumps. Not excavated.

6 *615 Cut pit Sub-circular pit. Not excavated. 0.7 0.45 -

6 *616 Cut pit Circular pit. 0.4 0.4 -

6 *617 Fill 616 pit fill Fill of pit. Mid brown clayey silt.

7 700 Layer topsoil Dark brown silt. Contains Roman pottery.

0.24


Mid reddish-brown clayey silt. 0.31

7 702 Layer occupation deposit

Dark brown silt with slag, clinker and charcoal. Recorded the whole length of the trench. Seals all archaeological features.

20 1.8 0.21


Strongly coloured orange/brown silty clay.

>0.11

7 706 Fill 707 posthole/pit fill Single fill of 707. Dark brown clayey silt with abundant stones and charcoal flecks.

7 707 Cut pit Sub-circular cut with moderate U-shaped profile.

0.45 0.45 0.14

7 708 Cut pit Sub-circular cut with moderate U-shaped profile.

0.6 0.6 0.15


19


Trench No.

Context No.


Description L (m)


Spot-date

7 709 Fill 708 pit fill Single fill of 708, orange/brown silty clay. Contains decorated copper alloy strip (RA 1), frequent charcoal flecks and burnt stone.

?Roman

7 710 Cut pit Sub-oval pit with moderate U-shaped profile.

0.7 0.8 0.2

7 711 Fill 710 pit fill Lower fill of pit 710, an orange/brown silty clay with common charcoal flecks.

0.2

7 712 Fill 710 pit fill Upper fill of pit 710. A dark orange/brown silty clay which contains Roman pottery.

0.2 Roman

7 713 Cut posthole Circular feature with steep, U-shaped profile and single fill 714.

0.35 0.35 0.1

7 714 Fill 713 posthole fill Single fill of posthole 713. A dark orange/brown silty clay with frequent charcoal.

7 715 Cut posthole Circular cut with a steep, U-shaped profile.

0.3 0.3 0.1

7 716 Fill 715 posthole fill Single fill of posthole 715. A dark orange/brown silty clay with frequent charcoal and occasional burnt stone..

7 717 Fill 721 ditch fill Latest fill of 721, below 702. Dark greyish-brown silty clay with common charcoal, contains slag and fired clay.

0.26

7 718 Fill 721 ditch fill Fill of ditch 721, below 717. Mid greyish-brown silty clay with occasional charcoal flecks, rare slag frag’s.

0.18

7 719 Fill 721 ditch fill Fill of ditch 721, below 718. Mid greyish-brown silty clay with moderate charcoal flecks, LIA/ERB pottery, slag lumps, cbm, fired clay (furnace lining)

0.2 LIA – C1

7 720 Fill 721 ditch fill Fill of ditch 721, below 717. Mid yellowish-brown clayey silty with occasional charcoal flecks, rare slag lumps, LIA/ERB pottery and bone.

>0.25 LIA-C1

7 721 Cut ditch NNW/SSE ditch, filled with 717 – 720 with near-vertical U-shaped profile. Correlates with enclosure ditch on geophysical survey.

>1.6 2.9 0.88

7 722 Cut pit Cut of sub-oval pit with shallow concave sides.

0.6 0.3 0.15

7 723 Fill 722 pit fill Single fill of pit 722, below 702. Contains fired clay and bone (some burnt).

7 *724 Cut posthole/pit Circular cut, part of east feature cluster in trench.

0.45 0.45 -

7 *725 Fill 724 posthole/pit fill Orange/brown silty clay with frequent charcoal.

7 *726 Cut posthole Sub-circular cut, part of west feature cluster in trench.

0.28 0.28 -

7 *727 Fill 726 posthole fill Dark orange/brown silty clay with frequent charcoal.

7 *728 Cut posthole Sub-oval cut , part of west feature cluster in trench.

0.33 0.24



20


Trench No.

Context No.


Description L (m)


Spot-date

7 *730 Cut posthole Sub-circular posthole, part of west feature cluster in trench

0.23 0.23 -


7 *732 Cut posthole Sub-oval posthole, part of west feature cluster in trench.

0.31 0.24 -


7 *734 Cut posthole Oval cut, part of west feature cluster in trench.

0.43 0.14 -


8 800 Layer topsoil Light greyish-brown slightly clayey silt with rare stones (<50mm).

0.26


Light reddish-brown slightly clayey silt , homogenous, sterile.

0.39


Natural bedrock, below 801. Tabular pale grey mudstone slabs (<0.3)

9 900 Layer topsoil Mid brown clayey silt 0.2


Reddish-brown silty clay 0.15


Red silty clay with areas of exposed natural mudstone bedrock

9 903 Cut pit Large sub-oval pit (incomplete), filled with 904, 905. Correlates with large anomaly on geophysical survey.

3.0 >1.0 0.25

9 904 Fill 903 pit fill Earliest fill of pit 903. Dark black/brown silty clay with frequent charcoal, slag lumps and burnt stone frag’s.

0.15

9 905 Fill 903 pit fill Latest fill of pit 903. Dark reddish-brown silty clay with frequent charcoal, some bone

0.15


21


APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Table 2: Finds Concordance

Context Description Count Weight(g) Spot-date 104 Pottery: Severn Valley ware

Iron working residues: indet. fe slag 2 14

6 191

RB

602 Pottery: Black Burnished Ware 1 Pottery: Severn Valley Ware Fired/burnt clay Iron working residues: furnace lining; indet. fe slag Burnt stone

4 15 3 11 5

71 231 4 4676 128

LC2-EMC3 RB

605 Pottery: Limestone tempered Animal bone Iron working residues: indet. fe slag

36 26 2

82 154 80

LIA-C1

610 Fired/burnt clay Iron working residues: dense fe. slag; indet. fe slag;

hearth/furnace lining Iron ore fragment?

1 52 1

12 2951 145

-

Tr. 7 u/s Pottery: Severn Valley ware 4 42 RB 702 Iron working residues: indet. fe slag 5 519 - 709 Copper-alloy obj: decorated strip, Ra.1 1 - ?RB 712 Pottery: Severn Valley ware 2 3 RB 717 Fired/burnt clay

Iron working residues: indet. fe slag 2 1

473 480

-

719 Pottery: Limestone tempered Fired/burnt clay Iron working residues: dense fe. slag; indet. fe slag;

tapslag; furnace lining Burnt stone

2 7 36 1

20 57 6223 611

LIA-C1

720 Pottery: Limestone tempered Animal bone Iron working residues: dense fe. slag; indet. fe slag;

tapslag

1 34 6

2 167 543

LIA-C1

723 Fired/burnt clay Animal bone Burnt bone

1 11 10

2 50 3

-

904 Iron working residues: dense fe. slag; tapslag 15 20211 - 905 Animal bone 14 77 -

APPENDIX C: THE ANIMAL BONE

Table 1. Identified animal species by fragment count (NISP) and weight, and context.

Context BOS O/C SUS CAN LM MM Indet. Total Weight (g) 605 7 4 - 1 4 6 - 22 133.01 720 8 - 3 - 2 - 5 18 167.14 723 1 7 12 - - 18 85 123 71.93 905 1 - - - - - - 1 77.15

Total: 17 11 15 1 6 24 90 164 449.23 Weight (g): 293.82 43.37 39.47 13.85 38.09 9.22 11.41 449.23

BOS = cattle; O/C = caprovine; SUS = pig; CAN = dog; LM = large sized mammal; MM = medium sized mammal.


22


APPENDIX D: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Table 1: Charcoal identifications

Context number 723 610 Feature number 722 611 Sample number (SS) 1 2 Flot volume (ml) 1 3 Sample volume processed (l) 10 10 Percentage of sample processed 100% 100% Charcoal quantity ++ (s) +++ Charcoal preservation N/A Good

Family Species Common Name

Betulaceae Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn./ Corylus avellana L. Alder/Hazel 2

Corylus avellana L. r/w Hazel r/w 6

Fagaceae Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl./ Quercus robur L.

Sessile Oak/Pedunculate Oak 2

Number of Fragments: 0 10

Key + = 1-5 items ++ = 6-20 items +++ = 21-40 items ++++ = >40 items (s) = charcoal fragments generally too small to identify r/w = roundwood fragments


23


APPENDIX F: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire: Archaeolgical

Evaluation Short description (250 words maximum)

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in June 2013 at Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire where a total of nine trenches was excavated. Aside from small post-medieval and modern quarry pits and areas of disturbance, no post-Roman activity was recorded on the site. The evaluation confirmed the results of the earlier geophysical survey, which indicated that the main area of archaeological potential lay in the southern part of the site. This comprised most of a ditched enclosure with a number of internal small pits and postholes, with the features containing domestic butchery waste and industrial (iron smelting) waste. This evidence, in conjunction with evidence for post-built structures, human remains (two skull fragments) and other dateable artefactual evidence from the enclosure area, indicates occupation from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD.

Project dates 25 – 27 June 2013 Project type (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation etc)

Evaluation

Previous work (reference to organisation or SMR numbers etc)

Archaeology and Heritage Appraisal. CA Report No. 13039

Geophysical survey – Pre-construct geophysics Ltd (2013)

Future work Unknown

PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire Study area (M2/ha) 1.5ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 5485 1287

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator None Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Laurent Coleman Project Supervisor Chris Ellis MONUMENT TYPE Industrial site SIGNIFICANT FINDS iron working waste, furnace/hearth fragments, human skull

fragments PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive: Dean

Heritage Centre Accession no. SOYDH : 2013.43

Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical Pottery, animal bone, slag, copper alloy object, fired clay

Paper Trench records, Context records, Site drawings (A3/A4), Registered Artefact Index

Digital Digital photos, GPS survey,

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cotswold Archaeology 2013b Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 13433

Gloucestershire

CotswoldArchaeology

Cirencester 01285 771022

Milton Keynes 01908 218320

Andover 01264 326549

w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A4

PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY

N

0 1km

Site location plan

Reddings Lane, StauntonGloucestershire

4393DJBPJM 1

08-07-2013001:25,000

Reproduced from the 2009 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109

c

220mAOD

W E

Section AA

600

604

605

606

ditch607

610

pit611

220mAOD

W E

Section CC

608

pit609

220mAOD

W E

Section BB

601

601

601

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



0 1m

View of ditch 607 looking north (scale 1m)

View of pit 609 looking north (scale 0.4m)


Trench 6: sections and photographs


08-07-2013001:20

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e [email protected]

700

701

702

717

718

719

720

703 ditch721

220.mAOD

ENE WSW

Section EE

709703

pit708

219.5mAOD

SW NE

Section DD

723

pit722

219mAOD

SE NW

Section FF

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



0 1m


view of ditch 721 looking south (scales 1m)

View of pit 722 looking west (scale 0.4m)

Trench 7: sections and photographs


08-07-2013001:20

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e [email protected]

221.5mAOD

E N

Section GG

W S900

901

905

904

pit903

902

905904

CotswoldArchaeology



Andover 01264 326549


e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



0 1m

View of pit 903 looking west (scale 2m)

Trench 9: section and photograph


08-07-2013001:20

4393DJBPJM 5

CotswoldArchaeology



Andover 01264 326549


e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



6

6 General view of site looking north-east from south- western corner of site (note ridge of high ground, centre background)

Photograph


08-07-201300N/A

4393DJBPJM 6

Archaeological Evaluation - Cotswold Archaeology · Reddings Lane, Staunton, Gloucestershire where...

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