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| Former Robert Stokes Houses, Carmelite Way, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Client: Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture – ’92 Limited) on behalf of Salisbury City Almshouse & Welfare Charities Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Field Evaluation on the site of the former Robert Stokes Houses, Carmelite Way, Salisbury, Wiltshire (NGR SU 14575 29354) on 15 December, 2003 as a condition of granting planning permission by the Local Planning Authority (Salisbury District Council) for demolition of the existing building and re-development on the site comprising 13 almshouse flats, wardens house, ancillary accommodation and external works, and construction of new access (planning reference: S/2002/1456). The investigation was commissioned by BarrieTaylor Associates – Eurotecture ’92 Limited, on behalf of their clients, SalisburyCity Almshouses & Welfare Charities. The evaluation was requested by Ms. Helena Cave-Penney, Assistant Archaeologist, County Archaeology Service (CAS), Wiltshire County Council as there was reason to believe that archaeological remains existed on the site but their extent and state of preservation could not be adequately assessed on the basis of currently available information. In this instance, the site lay within the historic core of Salisbury and in close proximity to recorded structural remains dating to the medieval period. It was therefore advised that the proposed development would damage or destroy any archaeological remains/deposits that may be present on the site and that a reasonable archaeological response would be to carry out an archaeological field evaluation consisting of 35m of trenching in order to elucidate the character of an area of archaeological interest prior to development. The evaluation was to be carried out in two phases; the first consisting of a trench measuring 15m x 1.5m located in a narrow garden and patio area fronting Carmelite Way prior to demolition, and a second trench measuring 20m x 1.5m positioned within the footprint of the former building once it had been dismantled. However, it became clear during site preparation works that the front garden overlaid a substantial mains sewer, the construction of which would have destroyed any undisturbed archaeological remains/deposits and it was therefore decided, in consultation with the CAS, that all archaeological trenching should be carried out within the footprint of the former building and a rear yard area following demolition. Unfortunately, due to the presence of heavy plant working on the sewer diversion and disturbance caused to the building footprint by the removal of concrete foundation ground beams, the evaluation was confined to 30m of trenching on the former yard area. The evaluation revealed no archaeological evidence for any building activity from this early phase in the city’s history. Instead, excavation revealed extensive alluvial sediments, the uppermost of which incorporated a small assemblage of 13th-14th century pottery sherds, medieval roof tile and animal bone. This was cut by a small pit filled with ash and two sherds of pottery ranging in date from the 14th-16th centuries. Both the pit and collection of artefacts are consistent with the disposal of domestic refuse and probably derived from the early properties known to have fronted Exeter Street . Of particular note was the discovery of an unusual thumb-impressed rod handle from a basket-handled vessel, a form not paralleled within the Salisbury area that could represent an otherwise unrecorded late medieval form. Whilst it was disappointing that no building remains were discovered, the character of deposits fits well with the pattern of land use that has probably endured from the medieval period until recent years. Historical research shows that the development site is likely to have been located directly behind a medieval burgage plot and formed part of a large parcel of low-lying land that now encompasses The Friary housing estate. Originally referred to as bugmore or ‘boggy moor’, this area served as both meadow and a run off for the medieval city’s water supply, and the alluvial deposits encountered during the evaluation clearly confirm the presence of ground that has been subjected to long episodes of flooding or sitting water. Download/view full report (1.43mb) land adjoining ‘Gramarye’, Witham Friary, Somerset. Client: Paul Humphries, Architects on behalf of Mr Carl Humphries Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Field Evaluation on land adjoining ‘Gramarye’, Witham Friary, Somerset (NGR ST 74478 41176) on 2 December, 2003 in order to assist the Local Planning Authority (Mendip District Council) determine a planning application for development on the site comprising the erection of a detached house and garage (Planning Application reference: 116166/000). The investigation was commissioned by Paul Humphries, Architects on behalf of the landowner, Mr Carl Humphries. The evaluation was requested by Mr Steve Membery, Development Control Archaeologist at SomersetCounty Council as there was reason to believe that archaeological remains may exist on the site but their extent and state of preservation could not be adequately assessed on the basis of currently available information. In this instance, the site lay within the historic core of Witham Friary and in close proximity to the Lower House for the lay brethren of an early Carthusian monastery located just outside the village. It was therefore advised that the proposed development in its current form would severely damage or destroy any archaeological remains that may be present on the site and that an archaeological evaluation consisting of a trench measuring 20m x 1.5m should be carried out to obtain further information on the presence and preservation of any archaeological deposits. Despite the location of the proposed development site in the medieval core of the village and the hypothesis that it may have comprised medieval features and deposits relating to one of the earliest Charterhouse complexes in England, the evaluation revealed no corroborative archaeological evidence for this. Instead, excavation revealed an undulating depression that graduated in depth from the road frontage to the rear incorporating deposits that were characterised by alluvial sediments at the deepest section with an outlying layer of building rubble. These deposits produced a small assemblage of cultural material that generally dates from the 17th century onwards. It is likely that this feature represents part of a natural hollow that has been subjected to long periods of sitting water or episodes of flooding, perhaps originating from natural springs that were evident during the excavation. The layer of building rubble probably relates to numerous and enduring attempts to firm the ground around the hollow with locally imported waste. Download/view full report (580kb) Former Dorset County Council Observation and Assessment Centre, 12-14 Gloucester Road, Dorchester, Dorset. Client: Dorset County Council Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Field Evaluation at the former Dorset County Council Observation and Assessment Centre, 12-14 Gloucester Road, Dorchester, Dorset (NGR SY 68328 90438) on 27 October, 2003. The investigation was commissioned and funded by Dorset County Council as part of a site assessment prior to the submission of a detailed planning application to the Local Planning Authority (West Dorset District Council) for a 60 bed care home for the elderly (Planning Application ref. I/E/2003/228). The evaluation was requested by Mr Steve Wallis, Senior Archaeologist at DorsetCounty Council as there was reason to believe that archaeological remains may exist on the site but their extent and state of preservation could not be adequately assessed on the basis of currently available information. In this instance, there was evidence to indicate that there had been limited episodes of development on the site and it was situated in an area of the town that may hold previously unknown archaeological remains relating to Roman Dorchester. It was therefore proposed that a formal programme of investigation, consisting of three trenches measuring 5m x 1.5m, 3m x 1.5m and 2m x 1.5m should be carried out. The results of the evaluation would be used to inform any further stages of archaeological work in mitigation of the proposed development or the adoption of an appropriate strategy that would seek to preserve any remains in situ. The evaluation provided no evidence for the presence of archaeological remains or deposits and only a small quantity of artefacts was recovered. Although this included two Neolithic flint flakes, the assemblage predominantly consisted of residual post-medieval and modern material, all of which were located in topsoil. This is entirely consistent with a normal background scatter of artefacts that would have been deposited as waste material through agricultural manuring or allotment use that appears to have typified the character of the site prior to development in the early 20th century. Download/view full report (497kb) Land at rear of 60-66 Market Place, Warminster, Wiltshire. Client:
Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture – ’92 Limited) on behalf
of Mr C Barkshire Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Field Evaluation on Land at the rear of 60-66 Market Place, Warminster, Wiltshire (ST 87195 40521) on 29 April, 2003. The investigation was commissioned by Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture – ’92 Limited) and funded by their client, Mr C Barkshire in order to assist the feasibility of a proposed planning application for the construction of three, one bedroomed flats and three, two bedroomed flats on the site. The archaeological work was requested by Sue Farr, Assistant Archaeologist for the County Archaeological Service at Wiltshire County Council as the site lay within an area of the town that is conjectured to have been a 13th century planned settlement area. It was therefore proposed that a formal programme of investigation, consisting of an archaeological evaluation be carried out. The evaluation consisted of one 15m x 1.5m trench. The results of this would be used to inform any further stages of archaeological work as necessary in mitigation of any development. The evaluation has provided evidence for medieval and post-medieval activity, albeit on a modest scale. This included the remains of a 13th century to early 14th century ditch and a post-medieval posthole. The medieval ditch probably served to mark the rear of a burgess plot that functioned as both a boundary line and drainage channel. The feature also aligns well with the orientation of the street frontage, strengthening the hypothesis that this is physical evidence for part of a planned pattern of burgess plots conjectured to be laid out in the 13th century. The posthole may well relate to part of a post-medieval garden feature although this is only speculative and purely based on cartographic evidence that suggests the site has undergone a degree of managed landscaping during its history (see report cover). However, it is clear that the thick deposits overlying both features demonstrate evidence for modern episodes of dumping, presumably in an attempt to raise the ground level or as a convenient location for the disposal of both domestic and light commercial waste once the plot had become redundant as a garden. In archaeological terms, these deposits have aided the preservation of the earlier features examined as part of this investigation and if the stratigraphic sequence is typical throughout the proposed development site, the potential for further in situ discoveries must be considered high. Despite this, if the hypothesis is correct that the ditch represents the rear boundary of a burgage plot, the primary focus for medieval occupation is likely to be concentrated towards the street frontage with only residual activity throughout much of the proposed development site although this area may also include evidence for post-medieval garden features. Download/view
full report (420kb) 26 Canon Street, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
Mr J Reid Context One Archaeological Services (COAS), in association with Dr. Rob Scaife (Department of Geography, University of Southampton), carried out a geoarchaeological investigation involving auguring and environmental analysis to the rear of 26 Canon Street, Hampshire (NGR SU 47968 29135) on 19 September 2002. The work was commissioned and funded by the owner of the property, Mr J Reid. The archaeological investigation was recommended by Tracy Mathews, Sites and Monuments Officer for Winchester Museums Service on behalf of Winchester City Council as a condition of planning consent to construct an extension to the existing property (Planning ref. 02/00555/FUL, Archaeology ref. 12-02-44). The recommendation conforms to advice given by central Government in Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16) (DoE, 1990) and policy H.G.3 of the Winchester District Local Plan. The reasons for the request were that previous observations / investigations in the vicinity of the development site have revealed evidence for the southern end of the medieval city ditch as well as earlier defensive circuits from the Roman and Saxon periods. Given the archaeological potential of the site, it was considered that the new foundations of the proposed development might affect archaeological/environmental deposits relating to the former ditches. Therefore, in mitigation of the development, it was determined that an appropriate archaeological response would be to sample the deposits for environmental data through a borehole investigation. Pollen preserving conditions were rather poor and although pollen was recovered from all of the samples, there appears to be strong differential preservation in favour of robust types (Lactucoideae). However, some useful information has been obtained especially as the City ditch has not been investigated before. Overall, the local environment was largely devoid of trees and shrubs except perhaps occasional ash and beech. The ditch was largely wet with sedge and possibly plants of damp ground. Some areas of the ditch may have had ephemeral phases of standing water although it is not clear whether the profiles obtained were from the absolute base of the ditch. The rich herb flora shows a dominant local grassland in and adjacent to the ditch. The substantial numbers of cereals and associated weeds of arable ground come from human and animal waste/ordure and domestic refuse. Basal greenish sediments are also interpreted as ordure. There was a paucity of plant macrofossils/seeds with only bread/club wheat found. Download/view
full report (915kb) Gibbs Barn, Manor Farm, Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, Wiltshire. Client:
Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture – ’92 Limited) on behalf
of Mr and Mrs J Robins Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Evaluation at Gibbs Barn, Manor Farm, Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, Wiltshire (ST 87195 40521) on 25 June, 2002, in order to assist the determination of a planning application to change the use of part of the paddock at Manor Farm to a private garden. The investigation was commissioned by Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture – ’92 Limited) and funded by their clients, Mr and Mrs J Robins. The archaeological work was requested by Helena Cave-Penney, Assistant Archaeologist for the County Archaeological Service at Wiltshire County Council as the site lay within an area that contained a series of irregular banks identified through aerial photography and were conjectured to represent the remains of field systems. It was therefore proposed that a formal programme of investigation, consisting of an archaeological evaluation be carried out. The results of this would be used to inform any further stages of archaeological work as necessary in mitigation of any development. The evaluation consisted of one 15m x 1.5m trench. The excavation revealed only one archaeological feature consisting of a shallow, bowl-shaped depression cut in to the natural geology. This was filled with burnt material and probably represents the remains of a man-made hollow to seat a fire/hearth. A single sherd of ?late Bronze Age pottery discovered within the fill broadly dates the feature to 1400-600 BC. An assemblage of 13th – 14th century pottery was also recovered from the evaluation and is perhaps notable due its high incidence and local provenance but has limited archaeological value as it largely derived from a mixed soil horizon. Although the assemblage formed a compact lens of material that might suggest a single dump of material, it is likely this actually represents numerous episodes of dumping or manuring that have subsequently settled to a common level from panning action through the soil. Download/view
full report (420kb) Former sub-station, Arlington Place, Gordon Road, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
New English Homes Limited Context One Archaeological Services (COAS), in association with Palaeopol, carried out a geoarchaeological investigation involving auguring and environmental analysis over the former site of an electricity sub-station at Arlington Place, Gordon Road, Winchester, Hampshire (SU 48221 29960) on 24 April 2002, as a condition of planning consent for the demolition of the sub-station and the construction of a block of 3 flats. The work was commissioned by New English Homes Limited. The investigation was recommended by Tracy Matthews, Sites and Monuments Officer for Winchester Museums Service on behalf of Winchester City Council as it was conjectured that the development site lay over the western of two inter-linked fishponds relating to the former medieval complex of Hyde Abbey. Given the archaeological potential of the site, it was considered that new foundations of the proposed development might affect archaeological/environmental deposits of the fishponds. Therefore, in mitigation of the development, it was determined that an appropriate archaeological response would be to sample any deposits for environmental data through a borehole investigation. The area available for the borehole survey fell largely within the area occupied by the former electricity sub-station compound. Test cores of this area showed a substantial thickness of concrete foundation and aggregate which was felt might have disturbed the sediments of the medieval fishponds. Consequently, two boreholes were sunk in the edges of the site but within the suggested area occupied by the ponds. The presence of the fishponds beneath the development site was confirmed by a series of silt deposits totalling 80cm-97cm thick sealed by demolition debris. Laboratory analysis of the sediments showed that pollen, diatoms and seeds were all recovered from the samples despite the fact that alkalinity and oxygenated ground water are highly detrimental to such preservation in the calcareous environment of the chalk/downlands. Overall, the clear indication is that the environment was open with no, or at least very few trees/woodland. The habitat was grassland/pasture, with the lower unit seeming to show a thicker, richer pasture than for the upper humic unit and contained much Onobrychis vicifolia (sainfoin) a characteristic plant of chalk calcareous pasture. These were possibly typically rich floodplain herb communities. The absence of aquatic/marginal aquatic plants suggests that the banks and margins were largely devoid of fringing plant growth and the bottom of the ponds were clear to the underlying chalk marls. A single but tentatively identified grain of Vitis vinifera (grape) is interesting since this may clearly be evidence of local, medieval, viticulture. The presence of cereal pollen and some associated weeds of arable ground may indicate localised cereal cultivation within the region of the Abbey. However, caution is required since it is also possible that this pollen suite may also derive from secondary sources/activities such as crop processing (winnowing/threshing) which may have liberated pollen trapped in the husks of the grain or from milling activities. Furthermore, pollen may also come from a range of other human sources such as animal feed, floor coverings, thatching etc. The pollen study, although only a preliminary assessment, has demonstrated that pollen can be preserved in abundance in calcareous sediments. This is contrary to commonly held views and is clearly due to the fact that the site has remained water-logged throughout the post depositional period. Although the pollen data do not show any marked fluctuations in the past vegetation habitats, the information derived is useful in providing a rare view of the local environment for this period from a chalkland area. Download/view
full report (649kb) The Drill Hall (Garage), Hyde Close, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
Glenshire Homes Ltd. Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an archaeological field evaluation at The Drill Hall (Garage), Hyde Close, Winchester, Hampshire (SU 4804 3007) for Glenshire Homes Limited over 3 days between 12-14 November 2001. The investigation was a requirement of a planning condition attached to the granting of permission for the demolition of a workshop and erection of new flats. The planning condition was recommended by Simon Thorpe, former Sites and Monuments Officer for Winchester Museums Service on behalf of Winchester City Council. The reasons for this recommendation are detailed in a Brief for Archaeological Fieldwork issued by Winchester Museums Service that stated, "The site is within the Roman northern cemetery which is among the most studied and important cemeteries of its type in England" It was therefore proposed that a formal programme of investigation, consisting of an archaeological evaluation, be carried out. The Brief also stated that the archaeological potential of the site could not be quantified due to the presence of a substantial concrete floor relating to the former garage building. In order to identify a suitable area for evaluation it was proposed that a sequential methodology should be employed. This included removal of the concrete platform under archaeological supervision before targeting an area measuring 3m x 1.5m for evaluation. The concrete floor of the former garage rested on rubble foundations and a levelling layer. Below these deposits, a layer thought to relate to a soil floor provided evidence for a previous surface of the former garage, which is shown through map regression analysis to have been built between 1909 and 1939. Extant remains of the garage included 2 sections of brick walling and a brick-lined car inspection pit. Removal of these layers exposed structural features relating to the positions of buildings evident on historic maps of the site. These included a brick wall from a minor building shown on an Ordnance Survey map for 1879, and a further wall with an associated deposit from another structure evident at the same date. The remaining features possibly served as foundation pits for structural supports. It is likely that they relate to a single phase of activity on the site and the earliest surviving remains within the development area although they could not be satisfactorily dated. The results of the evaluation demonstrate that there was little evidence for the Roman northern cemetery on the site. This was surprising given the wealth of recorded archaeological events relating to the burial ground in the immediate vicinity. However, more recent re-development had clearly been heavily terraced into the natural slope to achieve a level surface and the indications are that any remains associated with the cemetery were removed during these phases of activity. Nevertheless, features that might relate to grave cuts were discernable in section under the eastern boundary wall near the southern edge of the area investigated, and above the level of the terraced ground surface. Unfortunately, these were unsafe to examine but it may provide tentative evidence that the site is in an area of the cemetery as conjectured. As
the original ground surface appears to slope from north to south, and
terracing is less severe towards the street frontage, it is possible that
archaeological remains still exist in this area. This part of the site
would have served as a concrete forecourt of the former garage and has
not yet been altered by the current development. Plans indicate that this
area will only be subject to minor alterations including the insertion
of new services. The evaluation results and map regression analysis indicate
that re-development over part of this area may have already damaged or
destroyed any archaeological evidence but also demonstrates that the potential
for in situ preservation of remains may be higher nearer the front of
the site which historic maps show to be free of development. Download/view
full report (389kb) 20-22 High Street, Amesbury, Wiltshire. Client:
The Chapman Group Ltd. Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an archaeological evaluation on land at 20-22 High Street, Amesbury, Wiltshire (SU 15044 54017) over 2 days between October 12-16, 2001, in order to assist the determination of planning consent for a development on the site comprising 4 town houses and a shop with maisonette over. The investigation was commissioned by Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture - '92 Limited) on behalf of their clients, the Chapman Group Ltd. The archaeological work was requested by Helena Cave-Penney, Assistant Archaeologist for the County Archaeological Service at Wiltshire County Council as the site lay within the probable extent of the medieval town of Amesbury, and High Street is conjectured to have been the focus for early development during this period. It
was therefore proposed that a formal programme of investigation, consisting
of an archaeological evaluation be carried out. The results of this would
be used to inform any further stages of archaeological work as necessary
in mitigation of any development. The evaluation consisted of one 25m
x 1.5m trench. The results appear to provide evidence for a medieval property fronting onto the street incorporating a sequence of interior clay floors with an exterior cobbled yard adjoining a rear garden. This fits well with a pattern of medieval burgage plot layouts and the proposed model for early development along High Street. Remarkably, modern rubble foundations for the present car park appear to rest directly onto intact medieval stratigraphy near the street frontage and to the rear of the site, whilst a layer of postmedieval demolition debris has sealed the intervening deposits. Despite some expected disturbance to the medieval stratigraphy, preservation is good and if the nature of deposits is representative of those across the entire proposed development area, the potential for further intact deposits is high. It is clear that archaeological remains extend beyond the area sampled and it is likely that the core of any medieval property would be located further towards the street frontage whilst an associated rear garden may extend to the present southern boundary. Postmedieval deposits and features excavated clearly relate to a further phase of activity on the site, although the focus for this could not be determined by the evaluation. It is likely that demolition debris originates from a building in the immediate vicinity but outside of the area sampled as no structural evidence was observed during the investigation. However, an estate map for 1726 does show a building positioned centrally along the street frontage and fits the chronology of artefacts recovered from this phase. Download/view
full report (526kb) Sparsholt College, Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
Sparsholt College The evaluation was commissioned and funded by Sparsholt College as part of a planning application submitted to Winchester City Council to develop the site as a fishing lake and nature conservation area. The site is within an area of extensive prehistoric and possible Romano-British remains, known mainly from aerial photographs, and for this reason, the site was considered to have archaeological potential. The evaluation consisted of four 30m x 2m trenches distributed evenly across the development site. Trenches 1-3 revealed only modern disturbance from the insertion of modern field drains and dumping of soil from the excavation of a nearby stream. Excavations in trench 4 exposed a sequence of plough ruts throughout its length. These did not align well with the current field boundaries or through analysis of older maps. Although the depth of the plough marks and their orientation might indicate evidence of ploughing activity in antiquity, it may also suggest modern steam ploughing or sub-soil ploughing. In addition, their orientation may be a result of ploughing experimentation by the College. The
results of the evaluation indicate that in the areas of the development
site sampled, there is little or no evidence for past land use or human
activity. This is, perhaps, surprising given the level of recorded archaeological
events in the locality. Any future archaeological potential is likely
to be restricted to cut features in the natural chalk, and below the modern
soil dumping and thick colluvial deposits, although none were found during
excavation. Download/view
full report (459kb) The Axbridge Motor Company Limited, St. Mary's Street, Axbridge, Somerset. Client:
Wilton Village Housing Ltd. Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an archaeological evaluation at the site of The Axbridge Motor Company Limited, St Mary's Street, Axbridge, Somerset, over 3 days between April 6-10, 2000 (ST43320 54570). This investigation was commissioned and funded by Wilton Village Housing Limited in order to satisfy a planning requirement, attached to the granting of permission by the Local Planning Authority, Sedgemoor District Council, to re-develop the site for new sheltered housing. The development site is situated 220m east of the centre of Axbridge, in an area which is believed to mark the eastern limits of the medieval town. The evaluation consisted of four trenches, two of which revealed that any in situ archaeological deposits which may have been present along the St. Mary's Street frontage, had been completely removed. It is likely that this occurred when the area was re-developed in the 1950's to serve as a forecourt for the present petrol station. It would appear that this region has been heavily terraced into the natural slope to provide a level surface. Nevertheless, excavation of trenches to the rear of the site provided evidence to indicate medieval and post-medieval activity, suggesting distinct phases of use as garden plots that may once have backed on to properties fronting St. Mary's Street. The foundations of a wall, c.1700, provided the only evidence for structural remains of the areas excavated, and probably relates to a former barn or store. Further excavation of the present forecourt area, and the removal of the complex of buildings on the site is unlikely to yield any archaeological information as it is clear that these have been constructed on ground which has been heavily terraced into the natural slope, removing with it, all evidence of previous occupation. However, it has been demonstrated that the area to the rear of the site may still be of archaeological interest, albeit, perhaps, on a modest scale. In addition, it is possible that the cobbled floor of the open sided barn to the rear of the site may rest directly on undisturbed archaeological deposits. It
would, therefore, seem appropriate to monitor any groundworks which affect
the present, rear car parking area or the interior floor surface of the
barn for further archaeological evidence as Stage 2 of the archaeological
programme of works. Download/view
full report (361kb) The Pilgrims' School, Cathedral Close, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
The Pilgrims' School Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) in association with Dr Keith Wilkinson, carried out an archaeological investigation comprising the drilling of three bore holes and assessment of samples recovered ('geoarchaeological evaluation'), at The Pilgrims' School, Cathedral Close, Winchester, Hampshire (SU 4826 2906). The investigation had been requested as a condition of planning consent to extend the School premises. The work was commissioned by Barrie Taylor Associates (Eurotecture - 92 Limited) on behalf of their client, The Pilgrims' School. The fieldwork was carried out in the week of 31st May 1999. The present investigation had been preceded by a conventional archaeological evaluation carried out by Winchester Museums Service, which revealed evidence for deep late-medieval/post-medieval 'garden soils' overlying alluvial silt/clays. However, the depth of archaeological deposits below c.31.60mOD could not be achieved due to the high water table. In order to identify the character and nature of deposits below 31.60m OD, a request was made by Simon Thorpe, Sites and Monuments Record Officer, Winchester Museums Service, for a bore hole investigation. The stratigraphy encountered in the bore holes consisted of gravels dating to the last (Devensian) cold stage (20,000-10,000 BP), overlain by peats containing a rich assemblage of plant and insect remains, and which probably date to the middle and later Holocene (c. 5500-2500 BP). Overlying the peats were floodplain deposits containing Iron Age ceramics and re-worked Mesolithic flint tools and flakes, upon which rested demolition debris relating to a Roman building. The latter deposits contained well preserved Roman ceramics, building material and food debris. On top of the Roman strata were a further series of floodplain deposits demonstrating a return to previous Iron Age alluvial conditions, and above these a series of deliberately deposited strata dating to the medieval and post-medieval periods. These are interpreted as being placed on the Itchen floodplain to heighten the area around the cathedral to prevent flooding. Capping the whole sequence is a soil that is thought to have developed within the last 200 years. Based
upon the properties of the strata and the nature of the preserved remains
it is considered that the Roman demolition debris and the ?mid Holocene
peat are of archaeological significance and that damage to these deposits
by construction should be avoided where possible. The demolition debris
is unlikely to be significantly impacted given the present development
plan. However, water table change as a result of piling cannot be ruled
out and may effect the anaerobic status of the peat. Download/view
full report (165kb) If you would like to contact us about our online reports, please contact us by email, or speak to us directly using the numbers at the top of the page.
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