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Horseworld Staunton Lane, Whitchurch
Bath and North-East Somerset
Archaeological Evaluation
August 2013
for
on behalf of
CgMs Consulting Ltd.
Horseworld
CA Project: 4455 CA Report: 13486
Horseworld
Staunton Lane, Whitchurch Bath and North-East Somerset
Archaeological Evaluation
CA Project: 4455 CA Report: 13486
prepared by Tim Havard, Project Officer
date 9 August 2013
checked by Richard Greatorex, Principal Fieldwork Manager
date 12 August 2013
approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork
signed
date 29 August 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
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
CONTENTS
SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 2
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 3
2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-6) ......................................................................................... 5
3. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 11
4. CA PROJECT TEAM .......................................................................................... 11
5. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 12
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................... 13
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS .............................................................................................. 16
APPENDIX C: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES ..................... 18
APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM .......................................................................... 19
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing archaeological features and geophysical survey
results (1:2000)
Fig. 3 Trenches 5-8 showing archaeological features and geophysical survey results
(1:500)
Fig. 4 Trenches 2, 3 and 5; sections (1:20) and photographs
Fig. 5 Trench 6; section (1:20) and photographs
Fig. 6 Trenches 7 and 8; sections (1:20) and photographs
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
SUMMARY
Project Name: Horseworld
Location: Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset
NGR: ST 62221 67532
Type: Evaluation
Date: 22-29 July 2013
Location of Archive: Roman Baths and Pump Room Museum Accession Number: BATRM 2013.22
Site Code: HOS 13
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in July 2013 at
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset. Thirteen trenches
were excavated.
The evaluation identified ditches forming small paddocks or enclosures of a Late Iron
Age/Early Roman probable farmstead. In addition two metalled trackways (aligned at a right
angle to one another) and a posthole of similar date were identified.
Two other ditches (undated) were also recorded.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 In July 2013 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for
CgMs Consulting Ltd at Horseworld, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset
(centred on NGR: ST 62221 67532; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to
inform a planning application made for a new visitor centre complex at HorseWorld.
1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of
Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2013) for archaeological evaluation and
approved by Richard Sermon, Senior Archaeological Officer, Bath and North-East
Somerset Council. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for
Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2009), 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). It
was monitored by Richard Sermon, including a site visit on 25 July 2013.
The site
1.3 The area of proposed development encloses an area of approximately 5ha, and
comprises a series of flat grassed paddocks lying at around 88m above Ordnance
Datum (aOD).
1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Rugby Limestone
Member – Inter-bedded Limestone and Mudstone, Sedimentary Bedrock of the
Jurassic Period (BGS 2013). These deposits were encountered in each of the
trenches.
Archaeological background
1.5 Following the results of a Desk-based Assessment (CgMs 2013) and a geophysical
survey (Stratascan 2013) and in support of a detailed planning application to the
Local Planning Authority for development of the 5ha area, a programme of
archaeological investigation was undertaken within the north-west and western
sectors of the development footprint.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
1.7 The predominant activity on the Site is likely to be Romano-British as indicated by
the recent geophysical survey. Other investigations in the environs of the Site have
highlighted building material, Roman coins of the 2nd and 3rd centuries and at least
two Roman coin hoards within a radius of 1km. The recorded evidence within the
environs of the Site indicates that it lies within a landscape that was both settled and
exploited in the Romano-British period. The apparent buildings indicated by the
geophysics are likely therefore to belong to settlement of this period.
1.8 There is limited evidence for Anglo-Saxon or later medieval activity within the vicinity
of the Site, but the land (i.e. Whitchurch) is thought to have once been part of
holdings belonging to Keynsham Abbey. A public footpath, known locally as the
Priests Path, crosses through the centre of the Site leading from Whitchurch to
Queen Charlton and delineates, in part, the historic parish boundary of Keynsham
and Whitchurch.
Archaeological objectives
1.9 The objectives of the evaluation are 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 has been
designed to be minimally intrusive and minimally destructive to archaeological
remains. The information gathered will enable the BANES Senior Archaeological
Officer to identify and assess the particular significance of the heritage assets,
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
1.10 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of 13 trenches in the locations shown on the
attached plan (Figure 2). The locations of Trenches 1, 2 and 10 were altered
slightly in the field to avoid live services. All trenches measured 1.6m in width.
Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS
and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2012).
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
1.11 Trenches 1-4 were located along the proposed line of a new access road,
Trenches 5-8 were located in the proposed new parking area whilst Trenches 9-13
were located over the site of proposed new buildings. Excavation in Trenches 5-8
was limited to providing dating evidence and providing information about the depth
of archaeologically significant features below the existing ground surface.
1.12 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).
1.13 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 no deposits were identified that
required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in accordance with
Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).
1.14 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their
offices in Kemble. The landowner has expressed a wish to retain the limited artefact
archive as an archaeological/educational resource for the Charity and their wishes
will be forwarded to the Roman Bath and Pump Room Heritage Services. 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 2-6)
2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of
the recorded contexts and finds are to be found in Appendices A and B
respectively. Details of the relative heights of the principal deposits and features
expressed as metres above Ordnance Datum (m aOD) appear in Appendix C.
2.2 The natural substrate was observed in all trenches and was, with the exception of
Trench 1, sealed either by subsoil or the existing topsoil. In Trench 1 however the
natural substrate was sealed by a modern dumped deposit. No archaeological
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
features were identified in Trenches 1 and 4 and 10-13. A geophysical anomaly,
over which Trench 11 (see Figure 2) was positioned, was shown to be of geological
origin.
Trench 2 (Figures 2 & 4)
2.3 A shallow ditch, 202, whose location corresponded to a linear anomaly identified by
the geophysical survey, lay towards the south-eastern end of Trench 2 on a north-
east/south-west alignment. It contained a single, sandy clay fill, 203, from which, no
artefactual material was recovered.
Trench 3 (Figures 2 & 4)
2.4 Ditch 305 lay centrally within Trench 3 and contained a primary silting fill, 303, from
which a single sherd of Roman pottery and a single animal bone fragment was
recovered. This was sealed by a second fill, 304, which appeared to have been
deliberately dumped into the open ditch and from which no artefactual material was
recovered. The location and alignment of ditch 305 corresponded to a linear
anomaly identified during the geophysical survey.
Trench 5 (Figures 2-4)
2.5 Ditch 505 lay towards the north-western end of Trench 5 on an approximate
east/west alignment and its location correlated with a linear anomaly identified by
the geophysical survey. It contained a primary, silty clay fill, 507, from which no
artefactual material was recovered. This was sealed by a second fill 508 which
contained a large quantity of irregularly sized limestone pieces in a silty clay matrix
and from which 34 sherds of Late Iron Age to 1st-century AD pottery were
recovered. This was sealed by a similar fill, 509, which contained large pieces of
limestone up to 0.36m by 0.22m by 0.11m and from which 32 sherds of mid to late
1st-century AD pottery were recovered. The proportion of limestone in both fills 508
and 509 indicate that they were likely to have derived from deliberate backfilling. The
similarity of the final fill, 506, suggested it derived from the overlying topsoil settling
into the top of the ditch.
2.6 A shallow ditch, 503, lay at the southern extent of Trench 5 and contained a single
sandy clay fill from which no artefactual material was recovered. The location of this
feature did not correspond to any anomaly identified by geophysical survey.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
Trench 6 (Figures 2, 3 & 5)
2.7 An unexcavated ditch 608, whose location did not correspond to any anomaly
identified by geophysical survey, lay towards the eastern end of Trench 6 on a
north-east/south-west alignment and contained a single unexcavated fill 609.
2.8 Ditch 610 lay towards the centre of Trench 6 on an approximate north-east/south-
west alignment and contained a single sandy clay fill, 611, from which a small
quantity of animal bone and a nail of probable post-medieval date were recovered.
Ditch 603 lay immediately adjacent on a similar alignment and contained a single
silty clay fill, 612, with frequent limestone inclusions and from which no artefactual
material was recovered. No relationship was established between ditch 603 and the
adjacent surface 605. Ditches, 603 and 610 were sealed by similar deposits, 604
and 613 respectively, whose limestone inclusions indicated they were derived from
plough damage to the adjacent surface 605. Both deposits were cut by a narrow
ditch 606, which contained a single fill, 607, from which, a single sherd of 2nd-
century AD pottery was recovered.
2.9 A possible stone surface 605 consisting of irregularly sized pieces of flat limestone
in a sandy clay matrix lay immediately to the west of ditch 603, although no
relationship was established between the two features. Although the surface was not
excavated, eight sherds of Iron Age pottery and a small quantity of animal bone
were recovered from the top of the context.
2.10 The location and alignment of possible surface 605 and ditches 603 and 610
correlated to several linear anomalies identified by geophysical survey.
Trench 7 (Figs 2, 3 & 6)
2.11 Ditch 713 lay centrally within the north-east/south-west aligned arm of Trench 7 and
corresponded to a linear anomaly identified by geophysical survey. It contained a
primary sandy silt fill, 717, which derived from gradual silting and weathering from
which no artefactual material was recovered. This was sealed by a second fill, 714,
whose limestone inclusions indicated it likely derived from deliberate backfilling, and
from which nine sherds of mid-1st to 2nd-century AD pottery were recovered.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
2.12 Posthole 716 was located centrally within the north-west/south-east aligned arm of
the trench and contained single fill, 715, from which four sherds of Roman pottery
and a small quantity of animal bone were recovered.
2.13 The location and alignment of two unexcavated ditches, 703 and 709, corresponded
to linear anomalies identified by geophysical survey. Three further unexcavated
ditches, 705, 707 and 711 were identified but did not correspond to any such
anomalies.
Trench 8 (Figs 2, 3 & 6)
2.14 Ditch 814 lay towards the northern end of Trench 8 and correlated with an anomaly
identified by geophysical survey. It contained a primary silting fill 813 from which two
sherds of Roman pottery were recovered and which was sealed by a second fill 812.
The frequent limestone inclusions in this fill, including several larger pieces up to
0.2m x 0.15m x 0.1m, suggested the fill derived from deliberate backfilling of the
ditch. Ten sherds of Late Iron Age to 1st-century AD pottery and a large quantity of
animal bone were recovered from this fill which was sealed by two further fills, 811
and 810, which also appeared to derive from deliberate backfilling. Seven sherds of
Roman pottery were recovered from 811 and 13 sherds of Late Iron Age to 1st-
century AD pottery were recovered from 810.
2.15 A possible stone trackway, 809, identified in the southern half of the trench, was not
excavated but was hand cleaned sufficiently to characterize it. It appeared to
comprise closely packed flat limestone pieces, up to 0.3m x 0.25m x 0.08m, in a silty
clay matrix and exhibited a slight camber towards the centre. Six small sherds of
Roman pottery were recovered from the top of the surface. Two less dense stone
spreads, 803 and 804, identified immediately to the south and north appeared to
represent plough damage to 809. Two ditches, 806 and 808, lying to the south and
north of the stone deposits 803 and 804 respectively, were defined in plan but not
excavated. The location and alignment of possible surface 809 and ditches 803 and
804 corresponded to two linear anomalies identified by geophysical survey.
Trench 9 (Fig. 2)
2.16 Ditch 902 lay towards the centre of the trench and was aligned along the top of a
slight natural ridge on an approximate north/south alignment. It contained two similar
fills, 903 and 904, which appeared very similar in character to the overlying topsoil.
The uneven sides and base of the ditch were very suggestive of a former hedge line.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
The location and alignment of this ditch did not correspond to any anomaly identified
by geophysical survey.
The finds
2.17 Finds recovered from evaluation include pottery, ceramic building material, clay
pipe, and iron and lead objects. Codings for Roman fabrics correspond to those
defined in the National Roman Fabric Reference Collection (Tomber and Dore
1998).
Pottery: Iron Age
2.18 A total of 67 sherds of Late Iron Age pottery in a limestone tempered fabric (Ware A)
were recovered from ditch fills 508 and 509 (both ditch 505), and possible surface
605. Limestone-tempered/calcitic fabrics are a common feature of late prehistoric
assemblages in the region. Those recorded compare with groups from Budbury
(Wainwright 1970). Those from fills 509 and 605 were featureless body sherds.
Forms identified from the sherds in ditch fill 508 included: two joining sherds
representing a necked bowl with a cordon; a jar with an angular profile and a short,
upright rim; an everted rim jar; and a jar with a straight or everted rim. Similar forms
have been recovered from the Middle to Late Iron Age phase at Henbury School,
Bristol (McSloy 2006, 29-32).
2.19 Ditch fills 810 and 812 (both from ditch 814) produced a total of five sherds of Late
Iron Age pottery in a limestone or calcitic tempered fabric. A rim sherd from ditch fill
812 was identified as part of a high shouldered jar with a bead rim.
Pottery: Roman
2.20 One sherd of Catalan amphora (CAT AM) was recovered from ditch fill 509 (ditch
505). These amphorae were produced near Barcelona and exported to Britain
around the time of the Roman conquest (Tomber and Dore 1998, 91).
2.21 Ditch fills 604 (ditch 603), 607 (ditch 606) and 708 (unexcavated ditch 707) each
produced one featureless body sherd of Samian ware (LEZ SA). These were all
manufactured in central Gaul and the vessels would have been exported to Britain
between c. AD 120 and 200 (Webster 1996, 3).
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
2.22 A total of five sherds of Black-burnished ware (DOR BB 1) were recovered from
ditch fill 604 (ditch 603), ditch fill 714 (ditch 713) and posthole fill 715 (posthole 716).
These included two joining sherds from an everted rim jar from posthole fill 715. The
rim sherd featured a lead repair. Black-burnished ware was produced near Poole in
Dorset: when found outside Dorset it typically dates to the second to fourth centuries
(Davies et al. 107, 1994).
2.23 One sherd of a variant of Severn Valley ware was recovered from topsoil layer 700.
Severn Valley ware is very commonly found in Gloucestershire and neighbouring
counties, and was produced throughout the Roman period (Webster 1976).
2.24 A total of 33 sherds of Roman pottery in a black firing, quartz sand tempered fabric
were recovered from topsoil layer 700, fill 708 (unexcavated ditch 707), ditch fill 714
(ditch 713), posthole fill 715 (posthole 716), stone spreads 803 and 804, and ditch
fills 810, 812 and 813 (all ditch from 814). The forms represented by these sherds
included a necked jar with a squared rim (from topsoil 700) and a jar with an upright
rim (from ditch fill 714). A spindlewhorl formed from a sherd of pottery in a black
sandy fabric was also recovered from fill 704 (unexcavated ditch 703). These items
cannot be dated any more precisely than to the Romano-British period.
Ceramic Building Material
2.25 Five fragments of post-medieval ceramic building material were recovered from
topsoil 700. These were all pieces of tile and included a fragment of a flanged roof
tile.
2.26 A large fragment of modern brick was recovered from made ground layer 101.
Metal objects
2.27 The majority of iron objects recovered were post-medieval or modern: a nail from
ditch fill 611 (ditch 610); a perforated disc or washer from the top of unexcavated fill
706 (ditch 705); and a sheet fragment and four nails recovered were unstratified. A
Roman shoe cleat was also recovered unstratified.
2.28 One fragment of lead waste was recovered unstratified.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
Conclusions
2.29 The finds recovered during the evaluation demonstrate activity on the site beginning
in the Iron Age, continuing through the transitional period and into the second
century.
3. DISCUSSION
3.1 The evaluation has identified activity from the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period,
particularly in Trenches 5-8, and several undated features.
Late Iron Age/Early Roman
3.2 Anomalies interpreted by the recent geophysical survey as representing filled cut
features indicating possible settlement activity of archaeological origin were shown
to in all likelihood represent small ditched paddocks or enclosures in all likelihood
from a farmstead. No structural remains were encountered in the limited excavation
undertaken in Trenches 5-8.
3.3 The linear surfaces identified in Trenches 6 and 8 are indicative of metalled
trackways running to the west and south of the enclosures outlined above. Surface
809 was more substantial and, given the slight camber and ditches either side, could
be interpreted as a road.
3.4 The dating evidence recovered, albeit from limited excavation in Trenches 5-8,
suggests activity from the transition period from the Late Iron Age into the Early
Roman period.
Undated
3.5 The location and alignment of ditch 902 approximately corresponds to a former field
boundary displayed on a 1903-1905 Ordnance Survey Map (CgMs, Fig. 5). Little
further interpretation can be offered for the undated ditch 202.
4. CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Tim Havard, assisted by Noel Boothroyd, Eddie
Dougherty and Andy Loader. The report was written by Tim Havard. The illustrations
were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Lorna Gray, and
prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by
Richard Greatorex.
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
5. REFERENCES
BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer
http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 31 July
2013
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-
East Somerset: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation
CgMs (CgMs Consulting Ltd) 2013 Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol:
Archaeological Desk Based Assessment
Davies, B., Richardson, B. and Tomber, R. 1994. The archaeology of Roman London
Volume 5: A dated corpus of early Roman pottery from the City of London. CBA
Research Report 98. London. Museum of London and Council for British
Archaeology
Evans, D., Holbrook, N. and McSloy, E. R. A Later Iron Age Cemetery and Toman
Settlement at Henbury School, Bristol: Excavations in 2004. Bristol and
Gloucestershire Archaeological Report No. 4. Cirencester. Cotswold Archaeology
McSloy, E. R. 2006. ‘The Finds’. In Evans et al. 2006, 28-36.
Stratascan. 2013. Geophysical Survey Report. HorseWorld, Whitchurch, near Bristol. J3376
Tomber. R. and Dore. J. 1998. The National Roman Fabric Reference Collection: A
Handbook. MOLaS Monograph 2. London
Wainwright, Geoffrey J. 1970 ‘An Iron Age promontory fort at Budbury, Bradford-on-Avon,
Wiltshire’ Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Magazine. 65, 108-166
Webster, P. 1996. Roman Samian Pottery in Britain. Practical Handbook in Archaeology 13.
York. Council for British Archaeology
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
Trench No.
Context No.
Type Fill of Context interpretation
Description L (m) W (m)
Depth/thickness (m)
Spot-date
1 100 Layer Topsoil dark brown sandy clay with frequent irregular limestone inclusions
>15 >1.8 0.17
1 101 Layer Dumped deposit mid grey brown clay with limestone >15 >1.8 0.28 P-Med/Mod
1 102 Layer Natural light brown sandy clay with frequent limestone
>15 >1.8 >0.1
2 200 Layer Topsoil As 100 >14 >1.8 0.18
2 201 Layer Natural light brown sandy clay with limestone brash
>14 >1.8 >0.1
2 202 Cut Ditch linear, gently sloped sides, concave base
>1.8 0.8 0.08
2 203 Fill 202 Single ditch fill dark red brown sandy clay >1.8 0.8 0.08
3 300 Layer Topsoil As 100 >15 >1.8 0.23
3 301 Layer Subsoil grey brown silty clay >15 >1.8 0.2
3 302 Layer Natural bands of plated limestone and coarse brown silty clay
>15 >1.8 >0.26
3 303 Fill 305 second fill of ditch
grey brown silty clay >1.8 1.2 0.16 RB
3 304 Fill 305 first fill of ditch grey brown silty clay >1.8 0.89 0.15
3 305 Cut Ditch linear, moderately sloped sides, flat base
>1.8 1.2 0.31
5 500 Layer Topsoil As 100 >30 >1.6 0.12
5 501 Layer Subsoil mid brown silty clay >30 >1.6 0.1
5 502 Layer Natural light brown sandy clay with limestone outcrops
>30 >1.6 >0.56
5 503 Cut Ditch linear, shallow sloped sides, slightly concave base
>2 0.44 0.09
5 504 Fill 503 Single ditch fill dark brown sandy clay with frequent irregular limestone inclusions
>2 0.44 0.09
5 505 Cut Ditch linear, irregular sloped sides, flat base
>1.7 1.48 0.56
5 506 Fill 505 fourth ditch fill mid brown silty clay with 20% irregular limestone inclusions
>1.7 1.48 0.12
5 507 Fill 505 first ditch fill light brown silty clay >1.7 >0.27
0.07
5 508 Fill 505 second ditch fill 60% limestone pieces, 40% mid grey brown silty clay
>1.7 >0.49
0.16 LIA/C1
5 509 Fill 505 third ditch fill 60% drak brown silty clay, 40% irregular limestone inclusions
>1.7 1.44 0.2 MC1-LC1
6 600 Layer Topsoil As 100 >30 >1.6 0.17
6 601 Layer Subsoil mid brown silty clay >30 >1.6 0.12
6 602 Layer Natural light brown sandy clay with frequent limestone gravel
>30 >1.6 >0.5
6 603 Cut Ditch linear, moderately sloped sides, concave base
>1.6 >1.6 0.58
6 604 Fill 603 second ditch fill dark brown slightly silty clay with frequent limestone gravel
>1.6 >1.6 0.3 C2
6 605 Layer surface/bank irregular limestone pieces in dark brown sandy clay matrix
>1.6 2.2 unexc IA
6 606 Cut Ditch linear, steep sides, concave base >1.6 0.45 0.23
6 607 Fill 606 Single ditch fill Irregular limestone inclusions in a grey brown silty clay matrix
>1.6 0.45 0.23 C2
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
Trench No.
Context No.
Type Fill of Context interpretation
Description L (m) W (m)
Depth/thickness (m)
Spot-date
6 608 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >1.8 0.65 unexc
6 609 Fill 608 Single ditch fill dark grey brown sandy clay >1.8 0.65 unexc
6 610 Cut Ditch linear, shallow irregular sides, uneven base
>1.6 1.2 0.26
6 611 Fill 610 Single ditch fill dark brown sandy clay with frequent irregular limestone inclusions
>1.6 1.2 0.26 P-med
6 612 Fill 603 first ditch fill mid grey clay with frequent limestone inclusions
>1.6 >1.5 0.22
6 613 Layer ploughed out 605
dark brown sandy clay with frequent limestone gravel
>1.6 1.7 0.1
7 700 Layer Topsoil As 100 >60 >1.6 0.15 P-Med
7 701 Layer Subsoil mid brown silty clay >60 >1.6 0.08
7 702 Layer Natural limestone bedrock with patches of brown clay
>60 >1.6 >0.8
7 703 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >1.7 2.6 unexc
7 704 Fill 703 unexcavated ditch fill
dark brown sandy clay with frequent irregular limestone inclusions
>1.7 2.6 unexc RB
7 705 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >1.7 2 unexc
7 706 Fill 705 unexcavated ditch fill
dark brown sandy clay with frequent irregular limestone inclusions
>1.7 2 unexc Mod?
7 707 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >1.7 0.4 unexc
7 708 Fill 707 unexcavated ditch fill
dark brown sandy clay with frequent irregular limestone inclusions
>1.7 0.4 unexc C2
7 709 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >1.6 1.72 unexc
7 710 Fill 709 unexcavated ditch fill
dark grey brown silty clay >1.6 1.72 unexc
7 711 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >2 0.73 unexc
7 712 Fill 711 unexcavated ditch fill
dark grey brown silty clay >2 0.73 unexc
7 713 Cut Ditch linear, steep irregular sides, flat base
>1.6 1.55 0.81
7 714 Fill 713 second ditch fill 60% mid brown grey silty clay, 40% irregular limestone pieces
>1.6 1.55 0.57 MC1-C2
7 715 Fill 716 single posthole fill
grey brown silty clay 0.79 0.6 0.13 RB
7 716 Cut posthole oval, steep concave sides, flat base 0.79 0.6 0.13
7 717 Fill 713 first ditch fill light brown grey sandy silt >1.6 0.59 0.3
8 800 Layer Topsoil As 100 >30 >1.6 0.25
8 801 Layer Subsoil mid yellow brown silty clay, intermittent
>30 >1.6 0.05
8 802 Layer Natural plated limestone bedrock and brash >30 >1.6 >0.6
8 803 Deposit
ploughed out 809
irregular limestone pieces in dark grey brown sandy clay matrix
>1.6 1.2 unexc RB
8 804 Deposit
ploughed out 809
irregular limestone pieces in dark grey brown sandy clay matrix
>1.6 0.84 unexc RB
8 805 Fill 806 unexcavated ditch fill
mid grey brown silty clay >1.6 1.65 unexc
8 806 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated >1.6 1.65 unexc
8 807 Fill 808 Unexcavated ditch fill
mid grey brown silty clay >1.6 >0.4 unexc
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
Trench No.
Context No.
Type Fill of Context interpretation
Description L (m) W (m)
Depth/thickness (m)
Spot-date
8 808 Cut Ditch linear, unexcavated
>1.6 >0.4 unexc
8 809 Deposit
trackway surface
flat limestone pieces in a silty clay matrix
>1.6 0.8 unexc RB
8 810 Fill 814 fourth ditch fill dark grey brown clay silt with rare limestone inclusions
>1.6 1.25 0.2 RB
8 811 Fill 814 third ditch fill mid grey brown clay silt >1.6 0.42 0.1 RB
8 812 Fill 814 second ditch fill dark grey brown sandy silt with 30% irregular limestone inclusions
>1.6 0.93 0.29 LIA/C1
8 813 Fill 814 first ditch fill mid brown sandy silt >1.6 0.74 0.16 RB
8 814 Cut Ditch linear, steep irregular sides, flat base
>1.6 1.25 0.64
9 900 Layer Topsoil As 100 >30 >1.6 0.17
9 901 Layer Natural mid brown sandy clay with limestone outcrops
>30 >1.6 >0.3
9 902 Cut Ditch linear, shallow irregular sides, uneven base
>1.7 0.87 0.13
9 903 Fill 902 first ditch fill dark brown sandy clay >1.7 0.87 0.08
9 904 Fill 902 second ditch fill mid brown sandy clay >1.7 0.7 0.05
10 1000 Layer Topsoil As 100 >20 >1.6 0.25
10 1001 Layer Subsoil mid yellow brown silty clay >20 >1.6 0.09
10 1002 Layer Natural mid yellow white limestone brash and bedrock
>20 >1.6 >0.1
11 1100 Layer Topsoil As 100 >30 >1.6 0.2
11 1101 Layer Natural mid yellow white limestone brash and bedrock
>30 >1.6 >0.1
12 1200 Layer Topsoil as 100 >30 >1.6 0.24
12 1201 Layer Natural as 1101 >30 >1.6 >0.1
13 1300 Layer Topsoil as 100 >30 >1.6 0.24
13 1301 Layer Natural as 1101 >30 >1.6 >0.1
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS
Context Description Count Weight(g) Spot-date
u/s Post-medieval pottery: mottled brown glazed ware 2 43 C17-C18 Post-medieval pottery: yellow slip ware 1 Clay pipe 15 35 Lead waste 1 12 Iron object: Roman shoe cleat 1 112 Iron object: sheet fragment 1 Iron object: nail 4 Iron object: unclassifiable 1
101 Post-medieval pottery: glazed earthenware 1 69 Post-medieval/ Post-medieval pottery: unglazed earthenware 4 Modern Modern CBM: brick 1 827
303 Roman pottery: grey ware 1 7 RB Animal bone 1 6
508 Late Iron Age pottery: limestone tempered fabric 34 300 LIA-C1
509 Iron age pottery: limestone tempered fabric 32 170 MC1-LC1 Roman pottery: Catalan amphora 1 Roman pottery: grey ware 7 Animal bone 9 36
604 Roman pottery: Samian ware 1 2 C2 Roman pottery: Black-burnished ware 2 18 Roman pottery: limestone (leached out) tempered fabric 3 Animal bone 15 81
605 Iron Age pottery: limestone tempered fabric 1 37 IA Iron Age pottery: quartz temper 7 Animal bone 3 41
607 Roman pottery: Samian ware 1 1 C2
611 Iron nail 1 15 Post-medieval Animal bone 6 10 Shell 2 4
700 Roman pottery: Severn Valley ware variant 1 71 Post-medieval Roman pottery: oxidised flagon fabric 2 Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 1 Roman pottery: reduced sand tempered fabric 1 Post-medieval pottery: glazed earthenware 1 32 Post-medieval CBM: tile 5 278
704 Ceramic spindle whorl: black sand tempered fabric 1 10 RB
706 Iron object: perforated disc/washer 1 6 Modern?
708 Roman pottery: Samian ware 1 5 C2 Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 1 4
714 Roman pottery: Black-burnished ware 1 25 MC1-C2 Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 6 Roman pottery: oxidised fabric 1 Roman pottery: buff sand tempered fabric 1 Fired clay 1 1 Animal bone 8 31
715 Roman pottery: Black-burnished ware 2 18 RB Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 1 Roman pottery: fine, grog tempered fabric 1 Fired clay 1 1 Animal bone 3 7
803 Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 1 22 RB Roman pottery: oxidised fabric 2
804 Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 3 3 RB
809 Roman pottery: oxidised fabric 3 11 RB Roman pottery: handmade quartz tempered fabric 3
810 Late Iron Age pottery: coarse handmade limestone/ calcitic tempered fabric
3 79 LIA-C1
Roman pottery: black sand tempered fabric 10 Roman pottery: grog tempered fabric 1 Animal bone 18 70 Burnt bone 2 3
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
Context Description Count Weight(g) Spot-date
811 Roman pottery: fine white ware 7 7 RB
812 Late Iron Age pottery: limestone/calcitic tempered fabric 2 28 LIA-C1 Roman pottery: black sand tempered 8 Animal bone 38 336 Burnt bone 5 4
813 Roman pottery: black sand tempered 2 23 RB
© Cotswold Archaeology
18
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX C: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES
Levels are expressed as metres below current ground level and as metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), calculated using differential GPS. Only trenches containing features of archaeological significance are detailed below.
Trench 2 Trench 3 Trench 5 Trench 6 Trench 7 Trench 8 Trench 9
Current ground level 0.00m (93.69m)
0.00m (90.16m)
0.00m (87.44m)
0.00m (88.42m)
0.00m (87.87m)
0.00m (88.44m)
0.00m (88.59m)
Top of Roman surfaces _
_
_
0.20m (88.22m)
_ 0.24m (88.20m)
_
Top of Roman ditches _ 0.29m (89.87m)
0.27m (87.17m)
0.26m (88.16m)
0.15m (87.62m)
0.27m (88.17m)
_
Top of undated features 0.23m (93.46m)
_ 0.17m (87.27m)
0.50m (87.92m)
0.16m (87.72m)
_ 0.15m (88.44m)
Top of natural 0.23m (93.46m)
0.29m (89.87m)
0.24m (87.20m)
0.35m (88.07m)
0.22m (87.65m)
0.43m (88.01m)
0.15m (88.44m)
Limit of excavation 0.35 (93.34m)
0.67m (89.49m)
0.79m (86.65m)
0.90m (87.52m)
0.97m (86.90m)
1.01m (87.43m)
0.26m (88.33m)
Upper figures are depth below modern ground level; lower figures in parentheses are metres AOD.
© Cotswold Archaeology
19
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeoloigcal Evaluation
Short description
The evaluation identified ditches forming small paddocks or enclosures of a Late Iron Age/Early Roman probable farmstead. In addition two metalled trackways and a posthole of similar date were identified. Two undated ditches were also recorded.
Project dates 22-29 July 2013
Project type Archaeological Evaluation
Previous work Geophysics (Bartlett-Clark Consultancy) 2010
Future work Unknown
PROJECT LOCATION
Site Location Horseworld, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bath and North-East Somerset
Study area (M2/ha) Evaluation area 5ha of total 72 ha site
Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) ST 62221 67532
PROJECT CREATORS
Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology
Project Brief originator None
Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology
Project Manager Richard Greatorex
Project Supervisor Tim Havard
MONUMENT TYPE None
SIGNIFICANT FINDS None
PROJECT ARCHIVES Roman Baths and Pump Room Museum
BATRM 2013.22
Content
Physical Ceramics, animal bone etc
Paper Context sheets, trench recording sheets, permatrace drawings.
Digital Digital photos, survey data
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Horseworld, Whitchurch, Staunton Lane, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 13486
Bath and North EastSomerset
CotswoldArchaeology
Cirencester 01285 771022
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 326549
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A4
PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY
N
0 1km
Site location plan
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, WhitchurchBath and North East Somerset
01-08-2013001:25,000
4455LGPJM 1
Reproduced from the 2004 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
View of ditch 305, looking north (scale 1m) View of ditch 505, looking south-east (scales 1m and 0.4m)
NE SW87.3mAOD
506
509
508
507
ditch505
stone
W E90mAOD
SE NW93.5mAOD
203
ditch202
topsoil300
subsoil301
303
304
ditch305
CotswoldArchaeology
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A3
PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY
0 1m
Trenches 2, 3 and 5; sections and photographs
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, WhitchurchBath and North East Somerset
01-08-2013001:20
4455LGPJM 4
Cirencester 01285 771022
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 326549
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Trench 2; section AA Trench 3; section BB Trench 5; section CC
View of ditch 603, looking north (scale 1m) View of stone surface 605 and ditch 603 unexcavated, looking north-west (scale 1m)
W E88.5mAOD
topsoil600
607604
612
604subsoil 601
subsoil 601
611
ditch603
drain606
ditch610
CotswoldArchaeology
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A3
PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY
0 1m
Trench 6; section and photographs
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, WhitchurchBath and North East Somerset
01-08-2013001:20
4455LGPJM 5
Cirencester 01285 771022
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 326549
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Trench 6; section DD
View of ditch 713, looking north-west (scale 1m) View of posthole 716, looking north (scale 0.4m) View of ditch 814, looking south-east (scale 1m)
View of stone surface 809, looking south-east (scale 1m)
NE SW88.2mAOD
topsoil800
810
811
812
813ditch814
W E87.9mAOD
715
posthole716
S N87.9mAOD
topsoil700
subsoil 701
714
717ditch713
CotswoldArchaeology
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A3
PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY
0 1m
Trenches 7 and 8; sections and photographs
Horseworld, Staunton Lane, WhitchurchBath and North East Somerset
01-08-2013001:20
4455LGPJM 6
Cirencester 01285 771022
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 326549
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Trench 7; section EE Trench 7; section FF
Trench 8; section GG