Nant y Carad, Ystradfellte

DOCUMENT NO 261 Jan 2015

A.P.A.C. Ltd.

Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy

REPORT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF

Planning Application No: 12/07988FUL

Nant y Carad, Barn, Ystradfellte

Prepared for: Mr D. Kemeys

By: Dr N Phillips.

A.P.A.C. Ltd Nant y Carad, Barn, Ystradfellte. WB/YST/14

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Summary

This document comprises the report for an archaeological watching brief undertaken during ground work at a site identified as having potential archaeological resources that may be impacted by any development. The development of concern is reinstatement of a former agricultural building for residential use.

A planning application was submitted to Brecon Beacons National Parks (BBNP) and as part of the planning process, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) advised the planning department that the proposed work at the site could likely impact on archaeological resources. The client acting on the guidance from (BBNP) Heritage initiated a program of archaeological work to be undertaken during any groundwork. The watching brief did not disturb any archaeological resources and found no evidence to support the interpretation that the barn had an original attached dwelling to the north

Copyright Notice: A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey. Cover Photograph: DSC07450. Site, prior to excavation.


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Contents

Summary .........................................................................................................................................1 Figures.............................................................................................................................................3 Plates ...............................................................................................................................................3 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4 Site Location and Description .........................................................................................................4 Geology and Topography................................................................................................................4 Brief archaeological and historical background..............................................................................5 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................5 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................5 Data Presentation.............................................................................................................................6 Watching Brief Results ...................................................................................................................6 Finds ................................................................................................................................................6 Discussion and Interpretation..........................................................................................................7 Archive ............................................................................................................................................7 Staff .................................................................................................................................................7 Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................7 Bibliography and References: .........................................................................................................8


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Figures

01 Site Location map 02 Map progression 03 Ground plans

Plates

01 East elevation [101] over [102] with some [103] at door. Note ‘tooth outs’ which seem too regular and bottom corner stone which is flush to the edge of the building

02 Initial clearing, [100], [101] bank deposit right, [102] centre. Note remains of western enclosure top centre.

03 Initial clearing through soft brown topsoil [100], Soft dark brown soil with masonry [101] onto orange sandy clay [102]

04 Section through bank to north west. [100] 80mm [101] 65mm [102] 05 Detail NW gable end foundation 200mm beneath surface on to [102] 06 Long view of NW gable foundation. Note 1 no ‘Tooth outs’ at ground level. Note

2 bottom opening is probable later door. The arch is a façade not structural. 07 View along east elevation. Contexts [100] over [102] in foreground with [101]

tapering to the ranging rod. [103] against wall and around door 08 Shallow scrape along SE of barn revealing [102] with a small lens of hardcore to

the right [104] and lens of dark brown soil at door [103] ]


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Introduction

A planning application was submitted to Brecon Beacons National Parks Planning (BBNPP) by Mr A. Bevan (agent) for Mr D. Kemeys (client) for the proposed ‘conversion of a barn to one dwelling 12/07988/FUL. The former building is a barn Nanty-y-Carad Barn, Ystradfellte, Aberdare CF44 9JF, located at NGR 292214 211926, fig 01. BBNPA were advised by Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust,(CPAT) of the building’s inclusion on the 1st edition Ordnance survey map of the area; in a configuration that suggested a former dwelling attached to the north of the barn. As a result, they advised that any ground disturbance should be watched by an archaeologist The decision cited Planning Policy Wales 6th ed 2014:

The developer shall ensure that a suitably qualified archaeological contractor is present during the undertaking of any ground works in the development area, so that an archaeological watching brief can be conducted. The archaeological watching brief will be undertaken to the standards laid down by the Institute of Field Archaeologists. The local Planning Authority will be informed in writing, at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the development, of the name of the archaeological contractor.

CPAT. 27/06/2012 in BBNPA Delegated decision Report

At the client’s request, a program brief was prepared and submitted to BBNPA prior to the commencement of ground disturbance work. The brief was approved as fit for purpose by the BBNPA Heritage Officer and the resultant watching brief was undertaken on the 4th of December 2014 during which all ground disturbances was completed.

Site Location and Description The property, Nanty-y-Carad Barn, Ystradfellte, Aberdare CF44 9JF can be reached from the A465, Heads of the Valley road by turning north onto the A4059 at Hirwaun towards Brecon. After about 2 miles, take the left turn to Ystradfellte followed by the three left turns encountered to reach the Afon Melte River. Continue over the bridge and up the incline taking the left at the ‘T’ junction and continuing for about a mile after which Nant y Carad is on the left with the barn at the end of a private unmetalled track. Approached by an unmetalled track from the North West it is bounded to the south east by an old track and ford which is listed on the 1st edition Ordnance survey map, fig 02a. At the beginning of the watching brief, the site to be excavated was under grass; partially flat and partially mounded with some rubble exposed.

Geology and Topography

1:50 000 scale bedrock geology description: Bishopston Mudstone Formation - Sandstone. Sedimentary Bedrock formed approximately 313 to 326 million years ago in the Carboniferous Period. Local environment previously dominated by swamps, estuaries and deltas. (www.bgs.ac.uk 2015). The site is on the western ridge above the narrow valley cut by the Afon Mellte.

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/


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At present, part of a farm complex of enclosed fields, the barn is on the south west bank of a small stream which drains south east.

Brief archaeological and historical background

The area in which the barn is situated has little in the way of recorded points of historical or archaeological interest; indeed a 500m diameter HER search area around the site produced only a Core Record of a Post Medieval Lime Kiln PRN 7930 and 2 Event Records: Tir Gofal HE1 assessment Nant y Carred Farm PRN 51077 and the photographic survey of the barn PRN 129479; a precursor to the current watching brief. Extend the search an towards the north at around 2 miles and there are a few structures of medieval origin whilst a little further north and north east are some Bronze Age listings for Bronze Age influence. The above would therefore not exclude the potential for human influence within the area although it would suggest that it is likely to be sparse. The reason for the archaeological condition on this work, as advised by CPAT was: ‘Information in the application details and on the first edition OS mapping indicates that there was originally a northern upslope extension to the barn which may represent the location of a former dwelling attached to the barn’, (BBNPA p3. 2012). A portion of the 1st edition map is given in fig 02a to illustrate the detail: The plan shows a roughly 400m portion of the 1888, 6”: mile Brecknockshire Sheet XLVI.NE, centred on the barn site, which is inscribed with a 100m diameter circle. The contents of the circle have been enlarged and redrawn to clarify the detail in inset 1. The site shows an enclosure to the left of the path (green dashed line) and a building with a partial enclosure wall to its northern end which in the CPAT interpretation may have been an earlier dwelling. When the map was revised in 1903, fig 02b, the 1905 published version, fig 02b, showed that the barn was still a building (hatched shading), with enclosures; inset 2 The configuration continued through the 1914 revision; was still in place on the 1953 map fig 02c and corresponded with the barn during the present watching brief. At the commencement of the work, there were no visible signs of the northern enclosure wall with the possible exception of the ‘tooth outs’ to the north of the barn, Plate 01. The enclosure to the left of the path was more apparent, surviving as a low wall buried under recent spoil Plate 02.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the watching brief was to preserve by record, within the resources available, any archaeological deposits uncovered during groundwork. The watching brief also ensured that: in the event of archaeological resources of significance, being discovered and requiring treatment beyond the remit of the watching brief, that steps would be implemented to ensure that their treatment would be undertaken within the standards recommended by the CIfA.

Methodology Groundwork at the site involved excavation by mechanical digger to reduce and level a section of ground to the north of the present standing barn. During excavation, the stratigraphic record and initial contexts were noted, with a brief description given where appropriate.


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Measurements were taken using a steel hand tape and a Leica Disto 510. Photographs were taken throughout the watching brief and recorded with a unique number in the appendix. A full set of photographs are included in the archive and selected illustrative images appear in the plates accompanying this report. There were no finds of any archaeological significance.

Data Presentation

Data referred to within the text is illustrated in figs #, and Plates PL # with stratigraphic contexts identified in brackets []. Appendix I presents a list and description of stratigraphic contexts revealed and recorded during the excavation. Appendix II presents in spreadsheet format, details of all the photographs, including those not used in the text.

Watching Brief Results

Soils and ground conditions

Weather and site conditions during the excavation were good and caused no problems.

Description (refer to fig 03) and appendices I & II Excavation began close to the northern gable end wall, reducing the overburden by pulling towards the west before digging into the bank to the north, Plate 03. The cut revealed a shallow 80mm deposit of soft brown sandy soil, [100] under the grass which overlay a deposit of darker brown sandy soil with masonry rubble and rounded stone [101]. Context [101] varied in depth from around 100mm close to the barn, rising to over 800m some 6m north where it made up a mound of clearance material from which surface stone had been visible before the work started, Plate 04. Beneath [101] was the natural sandy clay [102] into which the shallow foundation of the barn had been set, Plates 05 & 06. Only two areas produced additional contexts; east and west elevations had a darker humic lens around the door ways [103] , Plates 07 & 08 and there was a spread of bedding material, of grey chippings at the south corner of the west elevation, [104], Plate 08.

Finds The entire excavation produced no finds.


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Discussion and Interpretation

The stratigraphy of the site was very straightforward sequence; landfill/levelling over natural deposits of sandy clay. The mound to the north of the excavation area including its slope, which was cut into by the excavation, yielded a high concentration of rough squared masonry which may be the former enclosure noted on the OS maps. However, there was no indication that any structure had stood within the excavated area, but it should be noted that the foundation of the barn is shallow and it would be unlikely to have left any traces if it had been removed. The current owner expressed a belief that the bottom opening in the north gable was a chimney, possibly relating to the former supposed dwelling. Close inspection however, revealed no flue behind the façade of the flat arch; itself of no structural use and no evidence of burning or of a hearth. It would seem from the results of the watching brief and from close examination of the available information that the barn has always been an isolated structure with a enclosed area to the north rather than an attached dwelling. The work covered by this watching brief had no impact on any archaeological resources.

Archive The original archive consisting of all original records, documentation including the Design Brief, processing and any relevant correspondence will be retained by APAC Ltd with a complete copy digitised onto a DVD and also backed up on two separate hard drives A secondary digitised archive will be deposited with Powys Archives as an accompaniment to a hard copy of the report. A copy of the final report & project design will be deposited with CPAT HER.

Staff

Dr. Neil Phillips, CAIfA. The copyright for this report shall remain with the A.P.A.C. Ltd.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Mr Kemeys and his contractor for their careful and efficient handling of the work.


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Bibliography and References: APAC Ltd DB:WB/CDU/14. Design for an Archaeological Watching Brief, Nant y Carad Barn, Ystradfellte British Geological Survey. http://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html BBNP 12/07988/FUL. Delegated Decision Report. Conversion of barn to one dwelling at Nant- y-Carad, Ystradfellte 14/10369/FUL. Notice of Decision. Conversion of barn to one dwelling at Nant- y-Carad, Ystradfellte 12/07988/FUL & 14/11273/DISCON. 10 November 2014 CPAT HER Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, Historic Environment Record Enquiry Report: Event Records Ref: E5771, 11/02/2015 Core Records Ref: E5771, 11/02/2015 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 CIfA Standard and Guidance an Archaeological Watching Brief. 2014. Samuel, R., Proposed Conversion Of A Barn To A Dwelling And The Construction Of A Two Vehicle Garage At Nant Y Carad, Ystradfellte. Drawing DK/01 Existing Barn And Block Plan Drawing DK/01 Proposed Plans And Elevations Ordnance Survey. MAGIC 2014. http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/opendata/viewer/index.html Brecknockshire Sheet XLIV NE 1888 Brecknockshire Sheet XLIV NE 1905 Brecknockshire Sheet XLIV NE 1953 .

A.P.A.C. Registered Address: 36 Hatherleigh Rd, Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 7RG. Tel: 07734962919. Mobile: 07734962919 Email: [email protected]

Company Registration No 5041541 VAT Reg No 826 3628 19 Director: Dr. N. Phillips D.Phil. M. Phil. BA (Hons).Cert Ed/FE. AIfA. AAI&S.

http://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html

http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/opendata/viewer/index.html

Fig 01: LocationA.P.A.C. WB/YST/14

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Nant-y-Carad Barn, Ystradfellte

FIG 02 Map progression

1888 Brecknockshire Sheet XLVI.NE



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"Map produced by MAGIC on [09/01/2015]. © Crown Copyright and database rights [2015]. Ordnance Survey 100046577. Copyright resides with the data suppliers and the map must not be reproduced without their permission. Some information in MAGIC is a snapshot of information that is being maintained or continually updated by the originating organisation. Please refer to the documentation for details, as information may be illustrative or representative rather than de�nitive at this stage".

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Fig 03: ground �oor plans

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Proposed dwellingExtension

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A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/YST/14

Nant-y-Carad Barn, Ystradfellte

Plans adapted by Dr N Phillipsfrom scans of DK/01 & DK/03. R. Samuel

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Excavated Area

A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/YST/14Plate 03: Initial clearing through soft brown topsoil [100], Soft dark brown soil with masonry [101] onto orange sandy clay [102]

Plate 04: Section through bank to north west. [100] 80mm [101] 65mm [102]

Plate 01: East elevation [101] over [102] with some [103] at door. Note ‘tooth outs’ which seem too regular and bottom corner stone which is flush to the edge of the building

Plate 02: Initial clearing, [100], [101] bank deposit right, [102] centre. Note remains of western enclosure top centre.

Nant y Carad, Barn. Ysradfellte

DSC

07452

DSC

07462

DSC

07458

DSC

07451

A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/YST/14Plate 07: View along east elevation. Contexts [100] over [102] in foreground with [101] tapering to the ranging rod. [103] against wall and around door

Plate 08: Shallow scrape along SE of barn revealing [102] with a small lens of hardcore to the right [104] and lens of dark brown soil at door [103]

Plate 05: Detail NW gable end foundation 200mm beneath surface on to [102] Plate 06: Long view of NW gable foundation. Note 1 no ‘Tooth outs’ at ground level. Note 2 bottom opening is probable later door. The arch is a façade not structural.

Nant y Carad, Barn. Ysradfellte

DSC

07460

DSC

07459

DSC

07453

DSC

07463

A.P.A.C. Ltd. Appendix I Context Sheet Index 1 Site: Nant y Carad, Barn. Ystradfellte

Grid Ref: 292214 211926

Site No: WB/YST/14

Alternate No:

1

CONTEXT AREA FEATURE DESCRIPTION FINDS PHOTOGRAPHS 100 All Surface Grass cover over 80mm soft brown sandy soil DSC07450, DSC07451,

DSC07452, DSC07453, DSC07454, DSC07455, DSC07456, DSC07457, DSC07458, DSC07460, DSC07461, DSC07463, DSC07464,

101 North area

Deposit Dark brown sandy soil with large masonry and rounded stone. Tapered from 100mm to 650mm

DSC07450, DSC07452, DSC07454, DSC07455, DSC07456, DSC07457, DSC07458, DSC07460, DSC07461, DSC07462, DSC07463, DSC07464, DSC07465,

102 All Natural Orange sandy clay DSC07450, DSC07452, DSC07453, DSC07454, DSC07455, DSC07456, DSC07457, DSC07458, DSC07459, DSC07460, DSC07462, DSC07463, DSC07464, DSC07465,

103 East & west doors

fill Dark brown/black soft sandy soil. Walk way or spillage from barn

DSC07449, DSC07453, DSC07455, DSC07456, DSC07457, DSC07462, DSC07463,

104 S West edge

lens Chippings in a small area DSC07453, DSC07457,

A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix II Digital photograph list WB/ABG/14

Photo no

Date Camera Size View Description Plates

DSC07449 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE View towards SE gable of the barn DSC07450 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE North west gable showing two openings, and two sets of ‘toothed out’ stones at from each elevation. Note also the lower build quality. DSC07451 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 N Initial clearing through soft brown topsoil [100], Soft dark brown soil with masonry [101] onto orange sandy clay [102] 03 DSC07452 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 W Initial clearing, [100], [101] bank deposit right, [102] centre. Note remains of western enclosure top centre. 02 DSC07453 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 NE Shallow scrape along SE of barn revealing [102] with a small lens of hardcore to the right [104] and lens of dark brown soil at door [103] 08 DSC07454 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 S NW gable clearance to base of wall. Contexts: [100], [101], [102]. DSC07455 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE NW gable clearance to base of wall and SW elevation. Contexts: [100], [101], [102]. DSC07456 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE 2 NW gable clearances to base of wall and SW elevation. Contexts: [100], [101], [102]. DSC07457 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE 2 NW gable clearances to base of wall and SW elevation. Contexts: [100], [101], [102]. [103] [104] DSC07458 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 NW Section through bank to north west. [100] 80mm [101] 65mm [102] 04 DSC07459 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE Detail NW gable end foundation 200mm beneath surface on to [102] 05 DSC07460 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE Long view of NW gable foundation. Note 1 no ‘Tooth outs’ at ground level. Note 2 bottom opening is probable later door. The arch is a façade not

structural. 06

DSC07461 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SW Clearing along east elevation DSC07462 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SW East elevation [101] over [102] with some [103] at door. Note ‘tooth outs’ which seem too regular and bottom corner stone which is flush to the edge of

the building 01

DSC07463 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 NW View along east elevation. Contexts [100] over [102] in foreground with [101] tapering to the ranging rod. [103] against wall and around door 07 DSC07464 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE Final levelling work and clearance of spoil DSC07465 04/12/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE 2 Final levelling work and clearance of spoil

Documents

Nant y Carad, Ystradfellte