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| Land at Rock Cottages, Ham Green, Easton-in-Gordano, North Somerset. Client:
Wessex Water plc Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an archaeological geophysical survey on land at Rock Cottages, Ham Green, Easton-in-Gordano (NGR ST 53560 76030) over 5 days between 1 September 2003 and 5 September 2003. The investigation was commissioned and funded by Wessex Water plc following their proposal to construct a new 100mm HPPE rising main across the site and associated pumping station (Wessex Water ref. C1358/ENV/001; North Somerset Council Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) ref. 742). The requirement for the archaeological work followed advice given by central Government (Department of Environment) as set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 (PPG1), General Policy and principles, 1997, Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 (PPG16), Archaeology and Planning, 1990 and also takes into account Policy BE4A of the former County Structure Plan, and North Somerset Local Plan Policies ARCH 1 – 2. The reasons for this request are detailed in a Project Brief for Archaeological Mitigation: Site-specific evaluation by geophysical survey issued by Mr Vince Russett (Archaeological Officer (AO) for North Somerset Council on 4 June 2003 which suggested the primary importance of the site is that of the only definitely known pottery kiln of the so-called Ham Green industry, active around this area from c1100 – 1250. Ceramic vessels from this site were traded widely through Bristol along the north-eastern seaboard of Europe, and the pottery is definitely known from the 12th century contexts in Bristol, Cardiff, Chepstow, Dublin, probably from Reykjavik, and possibly other north-eastern coastal cities. The pottery (now firmly dated by dendrochronological evidence from Bristol) has been of paramount importance in the dating of early medieval levels in these towns and cities. It was anticipated that the magnetometer survey might not only locate the kiln excavated in the 1960’s but reveal evidence for associated features such as workshops, pugmills and drainage channels. Despite ferrous disturbance caused by modern features, the magnetometer survey has still enhanced our picture of this key medieval pottery production site. The location of the excavated kiln has been confirmed whilst the existence of a further kiln conjectured on the eastern side of Rock Cottages is given greater credence by the configuration of anomalies and strength of magnetic response recorded in this vicinity. A further magnetometer and/or a resistivity survey over this area at a higher resolution would help clarify this feature although it should be noted that the current development proposals will have no impact here. Significantly, the survey has provided the first tentative evidence for features associated with this production site and are highlighted by the discovery of a possible trackway leading away from each ?kiln towards the River Avon at the northern end of the field. Trenching for the proposed pipeline will cross both features. There is also evidence for a further trackway leading inland from the excavated kin, perhaps for the purpose of transporting goods overland, but the clarity of this feature is hampered by the effects of modern disturbance. Also noteworthy is the discovery of a curving linear feature on the eastern side of the site. The magnetic response for this would suggest a minor ditch but the survey could not establish function or chronology. This feature will also be directly impacted by current development proposals although in an area where its magnetic responses are weaker and intermittent. Similarly, construction will almost certainly cross a number of weak linear features interpreted as plough furrows although it is likely that these relate to modern agriculture. Download/view
full report (1.78mb) The Torpedo Shed, Worthy Down Camp, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
Winchester Museums Service The Torpedo Shed is located on the northern edge of the former Worthy Down Airfield, just south of South Wonston at NGR SU 47006 35535. The site covers an approximate area of 550 square metres and lies within a network of redundant storage depots and access routes around the northern perimeter of the former Worthy Down Airfield. The Torpedo Shed forms part of a complex of military buildings dating to an early phase of local aviation history. The shed was constructed in 1929, as part a building campaign designed to enhance facilities around the airfield and served both the 'Vickers Vimy' and 'Vickers Virginia' bombers stationed at Worthy Down between the First and Second World Wars. The site complex consists of a rectangular brick and concrete storage area and adjoining office. The storage block was divided into a series of bays designed to support racking for torpedoes. These could be manoeuvred out of the building to awaiting vehicles by a mechanical pulley system attached to the ceiling. The adjoining building was subdivided into two rooms, one housing the main generator and the other serving as an office area. The buildings are protected on all sides by a circuit of earthen banks that are breached by four concrete openings or portals at each corner. Together, these provided an access route around the complex that enabled a number of vehicles to be loaded simultaneously from four loading areas around the torpedo shed. Despite alterations to the interior of the torpedo shed, the complex as a whole has survived remarkably well. The survey has allowed a physical record of the structure to be made prior to the buildings' destruction and provided an invaluable opportunity to understand the workings of an unusual remnant of Britain's early military aviation history. Download/view
full report (1.88mb) Two World War II Air-raid Shelters, Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire. Client:
Winchester Museums Service An Archaeological Survey was carried out by Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) on two extant WWII air raid shelters beneath a car park to the rear of Winchester Public Library in Jewry Street. Combined,
the shelters would have accommodated 550 people but represented only part
of the massive civil defence programme in Winchester during the war. Fieldwork
revealed that the shelters had been stripped of nearly all their original
fittings but still retained over 75 pieces of contemporary graffiti including
caricatures of Hitler and Mussolini, planes and ships, as well as personal
sketches, names and dates.
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