LAND OPPOSITE MANOR FARM WEST ASHTON WILTSHIRE€¦ · groundworks associated with the construction...

LAND OPPOSITE MANOR FARM WEST ASHTON

WILTSHIRE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF

AUGUST 2004

For

ASHFORD HOMES LTD

CA REPORT: 04005

LAND OPPOSITE MANOR FARM WEST ASHTON

WILTSHIRE

PROGRAMME OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORDING

CA PROJECT: 1427 CA REPORT: 04005

Author: Jonathan Hart

Approved:

Signed:

Simon Cox

…………………………………………………………….

Issue: 01 Date: 06 August 2004

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

Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail:[email protected]

Land opposite Manor Farm, West Ashton, Wiltshire: Programme of Archaeological Recording

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CONTENTS

SUMMARY........................................................................................................................4

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 5

The site ................................................................................................................ 5 Archaeological background.................................................................................. 5 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 6

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2 & 3) ....................................................................................... 6

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 6

3. DISCUSSION....................................................................................................... 8

4. CONCLUSIONS................................................................................................... 10

5. CA PROJECT TEAM ........................................................................................... 11

6. REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 11

APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS..................................................................... 12

APPENDIX 2: THE FINDS................................................................................................ 13

APPENDIX 3: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES...................... 15


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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

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

Fig. 2 Location of groundworks, showing archaeological features (1:500)

Fig. 3 Section A (1:50)


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SUMMARY

Site Name: Land opposite Manor Farm

Location: West Ashton, Wiltshire

NGR: ST 8800 5522

Type: Programme of Archaeological Recording

Date: 21 January-24 February 2003

Planning Reference: 01/00500/OUT and 01/00501/OUT

Location of Archive: To be deposited with Wiltshire Heritage Museum

Site Code: WAW 03

A programme of archaeological recording was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during

groundworks associated with the construction of new housing opposite Manor Farm, West

Ashton, Wiltshire.

Medieval pits and ditches were identified and probably indicate the presence of a former

11th to 13th century ribbon settlement along Bratton Road. Small amounts of medieval iron

processing residue were also present although no in situ iron processing features were

identified. An undated posthole and features dating to the post-medieval period were also

present on site.


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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In January and February 2003 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out a programme

of archaeological recording for Ashford Homes at land opposite Manor Farm, West

Ashton, Wiltshire (centred on NGR: ST 8800 5522; Fig. 1).

1.2 The programme of archaeological recording was undertaken to fulfil a condition

attached to a planning consent for the construction of new houses (Planning refs:

01/00500/OUT and 01/00501/OUT). The objective of the programme of

archaeological recording was to record all archaeological remains exposed during

the development.

1.3 The archaeological fieldwork was carried out in accordance with a brief for

archaeological recording (HCP/MJU/01DC053) prepared by Ms Helena Cave-

Penney, Assistant Archaeologist for Wiltshire County Council, the archaeological

advisors to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and with a subsequent written

scheme of investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2003) and approved by the LPA

acting on the advice of Ms Cave-Penney. The fieldwork also followed the Standard

and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief issued by the Institute of Field

Archaeologists (1999).

The site

1.4 The site lies to the west of and opposite Manor Farm and prior to development

comprised agricultural land (Fig. 2). The site is relatively level at approximately 93m

AOD with the exception of a pronounced ditch that runs along much of the north-

eastern boundary of the site, parallel to Bratton Road.

1.5 The underlying geology of the area is mapped as Corallian sandstones with thin

mudstone beds of the Jurassic geological era (BGS 2000).

Archaeological background

1.6 Archaeological interest in the site arises from the results of a previous evaluation

which identified linear earthworks, possibly part of the medieval village of West


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Ashton. These comprised ditches, one with a levelled bank, and a track or yard

surface and may represent either a holloway adjacent to Bratton Road or a bank and

ditch enclosing the former medieval village (CA 2001)

Methodology

1.7 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2003). An

archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks, comprising topsoil stripping

and the excavation of foundation trenches within the area outlined in red on Fig. 2.

1.8 Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with the CA

Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (1996).

1.9 Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the finds and site archive will be

deposited with the Wiltshire Heritage Museum.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2 & 3)

Introduction

2.1 Because of the nature of the contractor’s working methods, exposure of

archaeological features was limited. In particular, a large part of the site was not

stripped to the natural substrate and, where the natural substrate was exposed, the

rough nature of the strip meant that identifying archaeological features was difficult.

2.2 The natural geological substrate 502, consisting of yellow clay, was revealed

throughout the southern half of the site at an average depth of 0.3m below present

ground level. This was overlain by subsoil 501 which was left in situ across much of

the northern half of the site where it lay higher than the depth of the strip required by

the contractors.


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Ditches

2.3 Six ditches were identified, all sharing a north-east/south-west alignment at right

angles to Bratton Road. Of these, ditches 527 and 529 were similar in form and lay

within a metre of each other. Both features were sealed by 526, a possible medieval

soil horizon. The fills of ditches 527 and 529 contained 11th to 13th-century pottery

and that of the latter also contained small amounts of iron-processing residue. A

single sherd of post-medieval pottery from the fill of ditch 529 was probably intrusive.

2.4 Ditches 535 and 541 lay within c.4.5m of each other. The upper fills of both ditches

contained late post-medieval pottery and whilst the lower fills of each remained

undated, that of 541 contained burnt clay and charcoal.

2.5 Ditch 515 was cut into subsoil 501. It was recut by ditch 531 and the fills of both

contained post-medieval artefacts. The fill of ditch 531 also contained small amounts

of iron processing residue.

Pits

2.6 Two distinct types of pitting were identified. Two deep, bowl-shaped pits, 544 and

546, were partially exposed beneath subsoil 501. Of these the fill of the latter

contained 11th to 13th-century pottery and small amounts of iron processing residue

whilst that of the former remained undated. Both were sealed by subsoil 501.

2.7 The remaining pits, 503, 505, 509 and 513, were scoop-like and 503 and 505 were

seen to cut subsoil 501. The fills of all but 513 contained post-medieval pottery

whilst that of 509 contained small amounts of iron processing residue.

Posthole

2.8 Posthole 511 contained possible post-packing stones but was not obviously related

to any other feature exposed on site. Two flint flakes were recovered from its fill.


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Layers

2.9 Several layers were identified: 501, 508, 522, 525, 526 and 534. Layer 526 sealed

the fills of ditches 527 and 529 and contained 11th to 13th-century pottery. It

appeared to be the same as undated layer 508, both of which were sealed by

subsoil 501. Layer 534 contained medieval pottery as well as small amounts of iron

processing residue and a fragment of a hearth-bottom.

2.10 Subsoil 501 sealed the medieval features and was cut by both the post-medieval

and modern features. Layers 522 and 525 were both modern rubble dumps.

The finds

2.11 Pottery and animal bone as well as ceramic building material, worked flint, clay

tobacco pipe stems, metal artefacts and small amounts of industrial residue were

recovered. The majority of the pottery is medieval in date. The finds report is

contained within appendix 2.

Biological evidence

2.12 Deposits were assessed for their biological potential, but no deposits suitable for

sampling were identified.

3. DISCUSSION

Prehistoric

3.1 The fill of posthole 511 contained two flint flakes (the only other worked flint on site

came from 534, a probable medieval deposit). It remains unclear as to whether

these were contemporary with the filling of the posthole or whether they were simply


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residual finds within a later feature. In either case, the posthole was not obviously

associated with any other feature on site.

Medieval (11th to 13th centuries)

3.2 Only two cut features, pit 546 and ditch 527, as well as layer 526 contained deposits

from which exclusively medieval pottery was recovered. However, on a stratigraphic

basis, it is possible that several more features and deposits can be ascribed to this

period; where such relationships could be established, the medieval and probable

medieval features were sealed by subsoil 501.

3.3 Layer 508 was similar in form to layer 526 and both were cut by post-medieval ditch

515. These may represent the partial survival of a medieval deposit such as a

cultivation horizon.

3.4 Pits 544 and 546 represent too small a sample for any definitive function to be

ascribed to them. However, they might have been dug as rubbish pits (the lack of

artefactual material recovered from the fill of 544 may reflect its limited exposure).

3.5 Layer 534 appeared to be a localised spread or dump of refuse material including

industrial waste. Whilst a small amount of post-medieval finds was recovered from

this deposit, these are likely to have been intrusive since the vast majority of the

recovered artefacts were medieval in date.

3.6 Ditches 527 and 529 were similar in form and are likely to have belonged to the

medieval period. Ditches 535 and 541 may also have belonged to this period: whilst

their upper fills contained exclusively post-medieval pottery, their lower fills remained

undated and might conceivably be medieval in date. The manner in which all of these

ditches appear to run back from Bratton Road is strongly suggestive of land divisions.

3.7 Small amounts of iron processing residue were recovered from both pits and ditches

belonging to this period. However, no hearths were identified and it remains unclear

as to where the iron processing residue originated. Despite this, the rural nature of

the medieval settlement at West Ashton is likely to have meant that the residue was

not imported from any great distance away and is most likely to have resulted from

processes occurring in the immediate vicinity of the site.


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Post-medieval

3.8 The majority of the dated post-medieval features were seen to cut subsoil 501. In

addition, post-medieval deposits formed the upper fills of ditches 535 and 541;

possibly because the ditches were post-medieval in date or, alternatively, because

the post-medieval deposits were filling relict medieval features. The small amounts

of iron processing residue recovered from some of the post-medieval features are

likely to have been residual since they were found alongside residual medieval

pottery.

4. CONCLUSIONS

4.1 The earliest definitive evidence for activity on the site is dateable to the 11th to 13th

centuries. The division of land defined by a series of ditches at right angles to Bratton

Road might represent either tenement or agricultural plots. Only one land division,

that between ditches 527 and 541, was exposed across its entire width. This plot, if it

was such, was c.24m wide and contained both of the medieval pits. With these pits

lying c.25m from Bratton Road, this would be typical of the backlands attached to

tenement properties and might indicate the location of a former ribbon settlement of

medieval tenements along Bratton Road. The quantity of medieval finds recovered

both from the medieval and the later deposits is large, given the limited number of

medieval cut features identified on the site. The pottery recovered from the medieval

features was typified by fresh breaks, something that would not be typical if it had

been deposited as part of a manuring process on agricultural plots. Instead, the

quantity and quality of the medieval finds are typical of one medieval method of

rubbish disposal: within pits in the backyard of a tenement plot. As discussed above,

it is likely that the iron processing residue originated from the vicinity of the site, and

might be taken to indicate the presence of a smithy.

4.2 These putative tenements were abandoned by the 13th century at the latest, long

before the village was relocated in the mid 19th century. It is possible that this

reflects either a change of land use or is the result of wider economic and social

factors such as recession.


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Post-medieval

4.3 Post medieval activity on the site appears to pre-date the relocation of the village in

the mid 19th century. Although the nature of the scoops into the clay that

characterise this period of activity remains obscure, they may best be interpreted as

clay extraction pits of 17th to 18th-century date.

4.4 No further sign of the holloway identified during the evaluation was recovered,

probably since The post-medieval subsoil was left in situ across much of the site.

5. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by David Sabin assisted by Lesley Cross and Franco Vartuca.

This report was compiled by Jonathan Hart. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray.

The archive has been compiled by Jonathan Hart, and prepared for deposition by Ed

McSloy. The project was managed for CA by Simon Cox.

6. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2000 1:50, 000 series, solid and drift sheet 281:Frome

CA 2001 Manor Farm , West Ashton, Wiltshire: archaeological evaluation, CA Report No.

01059

CA 2003 Land opposite Manor Farm, West Ashton, Wiltshire: written scheme of

investigation for a programme of archaeological recording


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APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Context Description 500 Topsoil 0.20m thick 501 Subsoil 0.15m thick 502 Natural 503 Pit 2.25m diam x 0.11m deep 504 Fill of pit 503 2.25m diam x 0.11m deep 505 Pit 4.25m diam x 0.36m deep 506 Fill of pit 503 4.25m diam x 0.36m deep 507 Pit 1.9m diam x 0.06m deep 508 fill of pit 507 1.9m diam x 0.06m deep 509 possible pit 1.68m diam x 0.28m deep 510 fill of possible pit 509 1.68m diam x 0.28m deep 511 Posthole 0.48m diam x 0.08m deep 512 fill of posthole 511 0.48m diam x 0.08m deep 513 Pit 1.14m diam x 0.06m deep 514 fill ofpit 513 1.14m diam x 0.06m deep 515 Ditch 3.8m wide x 0.86m deep. >22m in length 516 upper fill of ditch 515 3.8m wide x 0.4m deep 517 layer derived from bank associated with ditch re-cut 531 1.9m diam x 0.1m

deep 518 subsoil = 501 519 possible trackway comprising crushed cotswold limestone with crushed CBM

inclusions 0.15m deep 520 construction cut for 521 0.60m in length x 0.3m wide x 0.07 m deep 521 post-pad? comprising 4 red handmade bricks (230mm x 111mm x 60mm) 522 modern dumped layer comprising tarmac, brick and stone fragments within a

clay silt matrix 0.20m deep 523 modern land drain 524 modern land drain 525 dumped layer comprising CBM and cotswold stone fragments within a clay silt

matrix 0.15m deep 526 Possible post-medieval soil horizon 0.25m deep 527 Ditch 0.75m wide x 0.3m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 528 fill of ditch 527 0.75m wide x 0.3m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 529 Ditch 1m wide x 0.3m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 530 fill of ditch 529 0.75m wide x 0.3m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 531 re-cut of ditch 515 2.3m wide x 0.55m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 532 fill of ditch re-cut 531 2.3m wide x 0.55m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 533 lower fill of ditch 515 1.2m wide x 0.20m deep 534 layer of slag and burnt limestone in an unburnt silty clay matrix 4.3m diam x

0.06m deep 535 Ditch 2.3m wide x 1.05m deep. Only 0.6m length exposed 536 lower fill of ditch 535 1.02m wide x 0.25m deep 537 upper fill of ditch 535 2.3m wide x 1.05m deep 538 buried topsoil, sealed by 522 0.25m deep 539 modern land drain 540 modern land drain 541 Ditch 1.25m wide x 0.5m deep. Only 0.5m length exposed 542 lower fill of ditch 541 1.25m wide x 0.5m deep 543 upper fill of ditch 451 1.25m wide x 0.38m deep 544 Pit 1.5m diam x 0.6m deep 545 fill of pit 544 1.5m diam x 0.6m deep 546 Pit 1.08m diam x 0.65m deep 547 fil of pit 546 1.08m diam x 0.65m deep


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APPENDIX 2: THE FINDS

By Sam Inder Pottery, animal bone, ceramic building material, flint, clay pipe, glass and metal artefacts were

recovered. A total of 196 sherds of pottery, weighing some 3177g were recovered and date from the medieval to post-medieval period. The pottery is generally in good condition and has an average sherd weight of 16g.

The majority of the pottery is early medieval, dating from the 11th to 13th century with four fabrics

represented. Predominant is a micaceous, calcareous, flint and quartz tempered fabric, known as Bath A type and widely known in the Bristol/Bath and west Wiltshire area. A coarser quartz and flint tempered fabric is likely to be from the Kennet valley. Smaller amounts of a coarse quartz tempered fabric is identified as Lacock/Nash Hill ware. Similarly small amounts of an unsourced, micaceous fine sand tempered ware are present and this is also represented in a fragment of ridge tile. Forms, where discernible, are almost entirely everted rim cooking pots.

Small quantities of post-medieval/modern pottery were recovered and comprise white china,

Westerwald ware, Freshen ware, yellow slipped ware and glazed red earthenware of probable West Somerset origin.

Finds Concordance u/s 20 sherds medieval pottery (265g); Kennet valley? type ware, fine sandy ware

10 sherds post-medieval pottery (223g); white china, Westerwald, glazed red earthenware 7 fragments of brick (234g) 3 fragments of tile (108g) 2 sherds of glass (186g) 4 sherds of post-medieval glass (81g) 1 fragment of stone (14g) 2 fragments of animal bone (26g) 4 pieces of post-medieval clay pipe (14g) 1 Fe object (83g) SF 1, Pb plum bob weight (49g) SF 2, Quernstone fragment (851g); unsourced sandstone 504 1 sherd of medieval pottery (16g); Kennet valley? Type ware

1 fragment of brick (205g) 506 2 sherds of medieval pottery (22g); Micaceous, flint and quartz tempered 2 fragments of animal bone (31g) 1 fragment of brick (399g) 1 fragment of post-medieval Tile (10g) 2 sherds of post-medieval Glass (79g) Spot-date: post-medieval 508 Industrial residue (16g) 510 2 sherds of medieval pottery (10g); Kennet valley? Type ware 1 sherd of post-medieval pottery (8g); glazed earthenware 6 pieces of Fe slag or possibly hearth bottom (529g) 1 fragment of animal bone (3g) 1 fragment of stone (57g) 6 Fe objects (34g) Spot-date: 17th-18th century 512 2 flint flakes (24g) 516 2 sherds of post-medieval Pottery (35g); white china, yellow slipped ware

1 fragment of post-medieval clay pipe (3g) 2 fragments of animal bone (38g) 1 fragment of stone (17g) Spot-date: modern 518 1 sherd of post-medieval pottery (11g); Freshen ware 1 sherd of post-medieval glass (3g)


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© Cotswold Archaeology 3 fragments of animal bone (90g) 1 fragment of ceramic building material (21g) Spot-date: 16th-17th century 526 4 sherds of medieval pottery (52g); micaceous flint and quartz tempered ware

1 fragment of medieval ridge tile (157g); fine sandy ware 3 fragments of animal bone (11g) 4 pieces of Industrial residue (16g) Spot-date 11th-13th century

528 2 sherds of medieval pottery (9g); micaceous flint tempered ware Spot-date: 11th-13th century (but associated with post-medieval features, so finds = residual) 530 4 sherds of medieval pottery (67g); fine sandy ware, micaceous flint and quartz tempered ware

1 sherd of post-medieval pottery (7g); glazed red earthenware 1 fragment of animal Bone (2g) 4 pieces of Industrial Residue (392g) Spot-date 11th-13th century 532 6 sherds of medieval pottery (95g); Kennet valley? Type ware, micaceous flint and quartz tempered

ware 5 sherds of post-medieval pottery (93g); glazed and unglazed earthenwares 6 fragments of animal bone (172g) Industrial residue (18g) Spot-date: 17th- 18th century 534 18 sherds of medieval pottery (94g); Lacock/Nash Hill ware, Kennet valley? Type ware, micaceous,

flint and quartz tempered ware, fine sandy ware 1 sherd of post-medieval pottery (2g); glazed earthenware 1 sherd of post-medieval glass (2g) 2 fragments of animal bone (3g) 1 fragment of burnt animal bone (5g) 2 Flint flakes (17g) 8 pieces of slag (572g) 1 piece of hearth bottom (938g) Spot-date: 1th-13th century 537 1 sherd of post-medieval pottery (100g); glazed red earthenware

3 sherds of post-medieval glass (169g) Spot-date: 17th-18th century 543 3 sherds of post-medieval pottery (107g); glazed red earthenware Spot-date: 17th-18th century

547 111 sherds of medieval pottery (1803g); micaceous, flint and quartz tempered ware

Industrial residue (47g) Spot-date: 11th-13th century


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APPENDIX 3: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES

Levels are expressed as metres below current ground level and as metres above Ordnance Datum using the 91.70m spot height located at the shelter c. 50m south-east of the site on Bratton Road. Current ground level 0.00m

(92.52m) Top of natural substrate 0.11m-

0.30m (92.41m-92.22m)

Upper figures are depth below modern ground level, lower figures in parentheses are metres AOD

West Ashton

Wiltshire

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

Site

ditch535

522

ditch541

534

?pit513

subsoil501

subsoil501

pit544

pit546

posthole511

pit509

526

517

ditch527

529

ditch515

ditch531

pit507

505

503

518 519

525

section A

natural502

natural502

553

552

ST

881

N

Reproduced from the 2004 Ordnance Survey 1:1250 map with the permission ofOrdnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust AL50196A c

0 50m

Fig. 2 Location of groundworks, showing archaeological features (1:500)

site

medieval

possible medieval

post-medieval

modern

undated

evaluation trench

earthworks

92.50mAOD

S N

508

pit507

515

533

516 532

531

517526

ditch529

530 528

ditch527

0 5m

Fig. 3 Section A (1:50)

modern

undated

medieval

possible medieval

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