west street, banwell, avon. archaeological watching brief...west street, banwell, avon....

West Street, Banwell, Avon. Archaeological Watching Brief

1

CONTENTS

List of Illustrations 2 Glossary 3 Summary 5 1. INTRODUCTION 6 1.1 Introduction 6 1.2 Landuse, geology and topography 6 1.3 Archaeological background 7 1.4 Aims and methodology 8 2. WATCHING BRIEF RESULTS 9 2.1 General 9 2.2 Access road 9 2.3 Footing trenches 10 3. CONCLUSIONS 12 4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 12 5. BIBLIOGRAPHY 13 ILLUSTRATIONS

APPENDIX 1 Stratigraphic descriptions: footing trenches:

Finds register


2

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan

Fig. 2 The study area

Fig. 3 Access road and building 1-4 footing positions,

showing recorded archaeology

Fig. 4 Footing line C2: medieval well section


3

GLOSSARY

ARCHAEOLOGY

For the purposes of this project, archaeology is taken to mean the study of past human

societies through their material remains, from prehistoric times to the modern era. No rigid

upper date limit has been set, but AD 1900 is used as a general cut-off point.

CAT

Cotswold Archaeological Trust.

MEDIEVAL

Taken here as the period from the Norman invasion in AD 1066 to approximately AD 1550.

MODERN

The period following the Post-medieval period.

NATURAL

Defined in archaeological terms this refers to the undisturbed natural geology of a site, eg.

natural red marl, river terrace gravels etc.

NGR

National Grid Reference given from the Ordnance Survey Grid.

OD

Ordnance Datum; used to express a given height above mean sea level.

POST-MEDIEVAL

The period following the medieval period. From c1550 to the Industrial Revolution.


4

POT-SHERD

A fragment of a pottery vessel.

ROMANO-BRITISH

Term used to describe a fusion of indigenous late Iron Age traditions with Roman culture,

often abbreviated as ‘R-B’.

SAM

Scheduled Ancient Monument.

SMR

Sites and Monuments Record, held by Avon County Council.


5

SUMMARY

In October 1995 Cotswold Archaeological Trust was commissioned by Ford Bros. to

undertake an archaeological watching brief on land fronting West Street, Banwell, Avon.

Fieldwork was carried out as a condition of planning permission for the construction of

fifteen houses on the site, and followed an earlier site evaluation by CAT in August 1995

which recorded limited archaeological remains. A possible medieval path or foundation was

noted within the plot and, on the strip of land parallel to the West Street frontage, a medieval

pit was encountered, overlain by demolition material from a building that stood on the site

until 1970.

The watching brief has successfully countered the potential loss of archaeological

information in areas where significant medieval and post-medieval activity had been

identified by the trial- trenching. The presence of a previously unrecorded well possibly

dating to the medieval period was noted, along with a drain or soakaway thought to be of

similar date. The absence of in-situ medieval building remains might suggest the plot was

never intensively developed, though the presence of the putative medieval well alludes to

occupation in the vicinity; perhaps truncated by past episodes of demolition, levelling and

rebuilding


6

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 This report presents the results of an archaeological watching-brief undertaken on land

at West Street, Banwell, Avon (NGR: ST 393 593, Fig. 1) by Cotswold Archaeological

Trust between November 1995 and January 1996.

1.1.2 The project was commissioned by Ford Bros. in order to fulfill a planning condition

for archaeological recording prior to the construction of fifteen houses on the site. The

watching brief condition was placed on the planning application in the light of the

results of a preceding archaeological evaluation (Thomas 1995). This had identified

the potential for survival of significant medieval and post-medieval remains within

these areas, and an appropriate archaeological mitigation strategy was subsequently

devised following discussions between Mr Vince Russett, County Archaeological

Officer, the client and Cotswold Archaeological Trust.

1.1.3 The watching brief was designed to monitor groundworks within two discrete areas of

the overall development; specifically, observing the creation of a new access road into

the site, and the excavation of the footings of four houses along a narrow strip of land

parallel with the West Street frontage.

1.2 Landuse, geology and topography

1.2.1 The study area (Fig. 1) lies in the centre of Banwell and consists of a narrow,

rectilinear, plot of land, bordered by residential and commercial properties, running

southwards from the main A371 Weston-super-Mare to Wells road. The site extends to

a small back lane that separates the study area from the rear gardens of houses fronting

onto the High Street (Figs. 1 and 2). A property, Dynevor House, stood within the

development area, fronting onto West Street, until its demolition in 1970, and the plot

in recent years has


7

lain vacant with a covering of rough grass and brambles.

1.2.2 The geology of the immediate locality is dominated by Triassic Mudstones bordering

Tournasian & Visean limestones. This interface is highly complex but the natural

geological substrate encountered within the study area consisted of a reddish-brown

marl with streaks of pale green clay.

1.2.3 Topographically, the study area lies on a gentle north-facing slope with the ground

level rising from approximately 13.5m OD at the West Lane frontage to around 23.5m

OD at the southern end of the site.

1.3 Archaeological background

1.3.1 The archaeology of the study area and its environs has previously been detailed in the

earlier evaluation report and the preceding project design and briefs (Thomas 1995,

Russett 1995a, 1995b, CAT 1995). In summary the site lies within 50m of a major

Romano-British building to the north, classified as a Scheduled Ancient Monument

(Avon SMR 97, SAM 12009) (Fig.2). Scattered Romano-British finds have been

recovered within the village, including Roman pottery and coins found within the

study area during demolition of Dynevor House in 1970.

1.3.2 In addition to known Romano-British occupation in the vicinity the study area also

held the potential for recovery of Anglo-Saxon remains. A cemetery, possibly dating to

between the 5th and 7th centuries AD is known at Wint Hill, Banwell (Aston & Lewis

1994,20). The village of Banwell was certainly in existence in the 9th century AD

when a monastery was granted to Asser by King Alfred (Keynes and Lapidge 1983),

and Banwell was also the centre of a great royal estate from AD 900 or earlier.

1.3.3 The site also lies within the core of the medieval village. A medieval crossbow bolt has

previously been recorded from the study area, and occupation deposits dating to this


8

period were anticipated to lie within the area of development. Historic village centres

in Avon such as Banwell frequently preserve archaeological information and material

vital to understanding the origins and evolution of these settlements; with long and

complex sequences of deposits reflecting redevelopment, though these remains tend to

be slighter than in towns (ACPD 1994).

1.3.4 The recovery, during the 1995 evaluation, of medieval pottery and a pit and possible

path or foundation of medieval date highlighted the possibility of further surviving

structures or deposits, associated with the development of the village, being

encountered during groundworks The excavated features suggested a possible

association with a medieval precursor to the later house that stood on the West Street

frontage. Evidence was also noted during the evaluation both for the occupation and

demolition of the post-medieval/modern building; reflected in the presence of an

extensive layer of demolition material, and from pits dating to the 18th to 19th

centuries (Fig. 3).

1.4 Aims and methodology

1.4.1 Since a design solution ensuring the survival of the archaeological remains highlighted

by the evaluation proved not to be possible, an archaeological watching brief was

designed as an appropriate archaeological mitigation response. The objective of the

watching brief was to record the character, quality and extent of any archaeological

deposits revealed during the course of groundworks in the area alongside the West

Street frontage.

1.4.2 During the course of the project a written, drawn and photographic record was

compiled in accordance with the Institute of Field Archaeologists Standard and

Guidance for Archaeological Watching Briefs (IFA 1994) and the CAT Site Recording

Manual (CAT 1993). All artefacts recovered were coded and retained for analysis.

Arrangements will be made, subject to the agreement of the legal landowner, for the

finds and site archive to be deposited with Woodspring Museum Service, Weston-

super-Mare.


9

2 WATCHING BRIEF RESULTS

2.1 General

2.1.1 Descriptions of all stratigraphic deposits recorded during the course of the watching

brief are included within Appendix 1. Brief descriptions of all significant features are

presented within this section from the earliest deposits encountered to the latest.

2.2 Access Road (Fig. 3)

2.2.1 Five archaeological features were revealed during the construction of the new road

access. Features [003], [005], [007] and [008] were all cut into the natural red-brown

marl substrate, whilst layer (009) appeared to have been constructed directly over the

marl.

2.2.2 Bounding the plot frontage a construction trench [003] was revealed running parallel to

West Street. The feature, exposed over a length of 8m, was 1.4m in width and over

0.5m in depth. The fill consisted of irregular-shaped limestone and sandstone blocks

within a gritty clay matrix (002). No artefactual material was recovered during

sampling although a post-medieval date seems likely, the feature probably representing

a footing trench for either the main northern wall of the demolished building or for a

boundary wall skirting the West Street frontage.

2.2.3 A sub-rectangular pit, [005], was encountered 8.5m from the northern edge of the site.

This was orientated east-west, and measured at least 3.5m in length and 1.5m in width.

The feature was hand sampled and fully-excavated at a depth of 0.55m, and found to

have a steep profile and flat base. It contained a uniform red grey clay fill (004) from

which a small assemblage of post-medieval pottery and ceramic drainage pipe was

recovered.


10

2.2.4 A third feature encountered during stripping for the access road was a small sub-

circular post-hole, [007]. The feature was 0.25m in diameter and 0.40m in depth, and

contained a uniform red-grey fill (006) from which no artefacts were recovered.

2.2.5 A small area of pitched limestone surfacing (009) was also revealed during

groundworks. Whilst no artefactual material was recovered the remnant surface was

clearly of modern date, abutting the western boundary wall.

2.2.6 Running broadly north-south through the access road area a modern field drain cut

[008] was also recorded.

2.2.7 All five features described above were sealed by a 0.50m thick horizon of demolition

material and topsoil (001).

2.2.8 Monitoring of the access road excavations revealed no continuation of the medieval

and modern shallow pit features encountered to the east of this area during the

previous evaluation (CAT trench 1). No further structures associated with the modern

building were revealed, the wall deposits noted in the evaluation trench lying outside

of the access road area.

2.3 Footing trenches (Fig. 3)

2.3.1 The excavation of foundations for buildings 1 to 4 alongside the West Street frontage

was also observed. Each individual footing-line was coded and recorded seperately,

stratigraphic horizons and depths being recorded in Appendix 1. The natural red marl

geology was noted within each footing-line at depths varying between 0.00-0.50m

below the prepared ground level.

2.3.2 The potentially earliest feature encountered was a well-shaft, [010], within footing line

C1-C2, cut into the natural geology (Figs. 3 and 4). The shaft was 1.2m in diameter

and


11

at least 1.7m deep, though its full depth was untested. Machine-excavation of the

footing-line through the well revealed an homogenous loamy clay fill (011) from

which a single sherd of medieval green-glazed pottery was recovered. The absence of

late artefactual material within the fill and the presence of a sealing horizon of post-

medieval demolition material suggests a possible medieval date to this feature.

However such wells would frequently have been in use until mains water was supplied

and a post-medieval date for the feature cannot be entirely discounted. The well was

unlined but two partially surviving courses of fine limestone blockwork survived,

immediately above the natural marl substrate, to allude to an above ground, walled,

well-housing. These structural remains had been truncated by construction and

demolition episodes, being immediately overlain by a thick band of mixed building

debris, redeposited marl clay and loam containing artefactual material dating from the

eighteenth-nineteenth centuries.

2.3.3 Within footing-line I a small pit [012] was encountered, containing a series of pitched

limestone fragments in a loamy fill (013). Although the feature was only just clipped

by the trench, its extent unclear, this appeared to represent a drain-line or soakaway.

Although no artefactual material was recovered from the feature it was sealed by later

demolition debris and could potentially also be of medieval date.

2.3.4 Excavation of footing line B1-B2 revealed one other archaeological feature, a thin

spread of voided limestone (014), immediately overlying the natural red marl and

sealed by later demolition material. The feature was approximately 0.90m in width and

could be traced in section for approximately 6m, on a broadly east-west alignment.

This layer correlates with an identical layer encountered in the preceding evaluation

trench. Given its proximity to, and orientation parallel with, the West Street frontage

the feature is likely to represent the robbed or truncated remains of a path or boundary-

wall footing of medieval or later date.

2.3.5 Throughout the remaining footing trenches and overlying the features described above

a mixed horizon of sub-angular limestone, fragmentary brick and tile, loam, charcoal

and redeposited red marl was encountered. This deposit is consistent with a widespread


12

demolition deposit recorded within the previous CAT evaluation trench 1. The

artefactual material recovered from this horizon includes material of eighteenth-

nineteenth century date, and reflects the demolition and clearance of the post-medieval

property, Dynevor House, in 1970.

3 CONCLUSIONS

3.1 The watching brief has successfully countered the potential loss of information

associated with development of the site, recording a series of archaeological features

that usefully supplement our understanding of the medieval and later development of

the study area.

3.2 Whilst the majority of the features recorded appear to have been associated with

occupation of Dynevor House in the post-medieval and modern periods, the existence

of a well of possible medieval date, along with a drain or soakaway and possible wall-

footings from the same period, all correlate with the dispersed pattern of medieval

features highlighted by the earlier evaluation. Whilst these deposits cannot be taken to

confirm the original presence of a medieval building on the site, the isolated remains of

the well, rubbish pits, possible path and boundary wall remains all allude to activity

close to medieval settlement in this part of Banwell.

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Cotswold Archaeological Trust would like to thank Colin White of Ford Bros., Stephen

Evans, Mendip Construction (Group) Ltd, P. Fenlon, Wilcox Developments Building

Contractors; Vince Russett, Avon County Archaeological Officer; and Jane Allwood,

Archaeology Officer, Woodspring Museums Service, for their assistance during the course

of the project.

Fieldwork was carried out by Alistair Barber, Cliff Bateman and Jon Matthews. The report

was compiled by Alistair Barber with illustrations prepared by Richard Morton.


13

5 BIBLIOGRAPHY

ACPT, 1994 Archaeology and Development in Small Medieval Towns and Historic Village

Centres. Archaeological Guidance Note 2.

Aston, M. & Lewis, C (eds.), 1994 The Medieval Landscape of Wessex. Oxbow Monograph

46

CAT, 1995 West Street, Banwell, Avon. Project Design for an Archaeological Evaluation.

Keynes, S. & Lapidge, M (eds.) 1983 Alfred the Great, Asser's Life of King Alfred and other

contemporary sources. London.

Iles, R, 1980 in Burrow, I et al (eds) Somerset Archaeology 1980 Somerset Archaeol. Natur.

Hist. 124, 13-14

Russett, V, 1995a West Street, Banwell. Project Brief for Archaeological Evaluation by Trial

Excavation.

Russett, V, 1995b West Street, Banwell. Project Brief for Archaeological Excavation prior to

Development.

Thomas, A 1995 West Street, Banwell, Avon. Archaeological Evaluation. CAT Typescript

Report 95281.


14

APPENDIX 1

FOOTING SECTION STRATIGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION

A1/A2 0.00m-0.55m loam topsoil/demolition deposit

0.55m + natural substrate

Exc.depth: 0.85m

B1/B2 0.00m-0.40m loam topsoil/demolition deposit

0.40m-0.60m voided limestone rubble in clay matrix


Exc.depth: 0.70m

C1/C2 0.00-0.40m loam topsoil/demolition deposit

0.20m+ natural substrate

Well-cut to depth of 1.70m

Exc.depth: 0.80m

D1/D2 0.00m-0.25m loam topsoil/demolition deposit


Exc.depth: 0.85m

E1 0.00m-0.70m loam topsoil/demolition deposit


Exc.depth: 1m

E2 0.00m-0.35m loam topsoil/demolition deposit


Exc.depth: 0.85m


15

F1 0.00m-0.70m loam topsoil/demolition deposit


Exc.depth: 1m

F2 0.00m-0.35m loam topsoil/demolition deposit

0.35m-0.50m angular, voided, sandstone in clay matrix


Exc.depth: 1m

G 0.00m+ natural substrate

H 0.00m- 0.20m demolition deposit


I 0.00m-0.50m demolition deposit


?medieval soakaway cut into natural substrate

J1/J2 0.00m-0.25m demolition deposit


Exc.depth: 0.65m

K 0.00m-0.35m loam topsoil/demolition deposit


FINDS REGISTER


16

A2 Footing line 1 x brick frag, modern.

1 x pot sherd, post-medieval/modern.

C1-C2 well-shaft 1 x green-glazed sherd, medieval.

F1 Footing line 1 x sandstone tile frag.

1 x china sherd, modern.

1 x brick frag, post-medieval.

demolition spread 7 x pot sherds, modern.

0489 West Street, Banwell, Avon0489 West Street, Banwell, Avon illustrations Rpt 952810489 West Street, Banwell, Avon illustrations Rpt 96339

/ColorImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorImageDict > /AntiAliasGrayImages false /CropGrayImages true /GrayImageMinResolution 300 /GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleGrayImages true /GrayImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /GrayImageResolution 300 /GrayImageDepth -1 /GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 2 /GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeGrayImages true /GrayImageFilter /DCTEncode /AutoFilterGrayImages true /GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy /JPEG /GrayACSImageDict > /GrayImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayImageDict > /AntiAliasMonoImages false /CropMonoImages true /MonoImageMinResolution 1200 /MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleMonoImages true /MonoImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /MonoImageResolution 1200 /MonoImageDepth -1 /MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeMonoImages true /MonoImageFilter /CCITTFaxEncode /MonoImageDict > /AllowPSXObjects false /CheckCompliance [ /None ] /PDFX1aCheck false /PDFX3Check false /PDFXCompliantPDFOnly false /PDFXNoTrimBoxError true /PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true /PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfile () /PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier () /PDFXOutputCondition () /PDFXRegistryName () /PDFXTrapped /False

/CreateJDFFile false /Description > /Namespace [ (Adobe) (Common) (1.0) ] /OtherNamespaces [ > /FormElements false /GenerateStructure false /IncludeBookmarks false /IncludeHyperlinks false /IncludeInteractive false /IncludeLayers false /IncludeProfiles false /MultimediaHandling /UseObjectSettings /Namespace [ (Adobe) (CreativeSuite) (2.0) ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfileSelector /DocumentCMYK /PreserveEditing true /UntaggedCMYKHandling /LeaveUntagged /UntaggedRGBHandling /UseDocumentProfile /UseDocumentBleed false >> ]>> setdistillerparams> setpagedevice

west street, banwell, avon. archaeological watching brief...west street, banwell, avon....

Documents