St Michaels Field and the Abbey Grounds, Archaeological ... · St Michael's Field (fig 2) 1.2.2 The archaeological remains beneath St Michael's Field represent an important resource

CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES 2 GLOSSARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 3 SUMMARY 4 1 INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Archaeological Background 1.3 The Study Areas 1.4 Brief and Field Methodology 2 EVALUATION RESULTS 7 2.1 St Michael's Field 2.2 Abbey Grounds 3 ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS 10 3.1 General 3.2 St Michael's Field 3.3 Abbey Grounds 4 CONCLUSIONS AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT 11 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 12 APPENDIX A Table of the heights OD and depths of the archaeological deposits

St Michaels Field and the Abbey Grounds, Archaeological Evaluation 1

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Location map Figure 2 St Michael's Field: Location of test-pits in relation to the known archaeology Figure 3 Abbey Grounds: Location of test-pits in relation to the known archaeology Figure 4 Sections: Test-pits 3, 7 and 8


GLOSSARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ARCHAEOLOGY For the purposes of this project, archaeology is taken to mean the study of past human societies through their material remains, from prehistoric times to the modern era. No rigid upper date limit has been set, but AD 1900 is used as a general cut-off point. CAT Cotswold Archaeological Trust MEDIEVAL Taken here as the period from the Norman invasion in AD 1066 to approximately AD 1550. MONUMENT The expression monument is statutorily defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as follows: (a) any building, structure, or work whether above or below the surface of the land, and any cave or excavation; (b) any site comprising the remains of, any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other movable structure or part thereof, which neither constitutes nor forms part of any work which is a monument within paragraph (a) above. The site of a monument includes not only the land in or on which it is situated, but also any land comprising or adjoining it which is essential for its support and preservation. NATURAL Defined in archaeological terms this refers to the undisturbed natural geology of a site, eg. Lower Lias clay, river terrace gravels etc. NGR National Grid Reference given from the Ordnance Survey Grid. OD Ordnance Datum; used to express a given height above mean sea level. POST-MEDIEVAL The period following the medieval period. From c1550 to the Industrial Revolution POT-SHERD A fragment of a pottery vessel. ROMANO-BRITISH The period from the Roman invasion of AD43 to a date generally agreed to be AD410 by which time there was a fusion of indigenous late Iron Age traditions with Roman culture.


SUMMARY

In November 1995 Cotswold Archaeological Trust was commissioned by Cirencester Town Council to undertake an archaeological evaluation prior to determination of an application for Scheduled Monument Consent to plant trees within St Michael's Field and the Abbey Grounds, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Evaluation trenching established that archaeological deposits are present within the proposed tree planting areas. Within St Michael's field, 4th century demolition debris was encountered in all test-pits at depths varying from 0.15m to 0.59m below the existing ground surface. Within the Abbey Grounds, the rough metalling of a Roman road was encountered. Demolition debris of late medieval origin, probably associated with the dissolution of the Abbey in 1539, was also encountered. The archaeological deposits were approximately 0.35m below the modern ground surface. Roman and late medieval alluvial deposits were also encountered across the Abbey grounds.


INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Cotswold Archaeological Trust was commissioned by Cirencester Town Council to undertake an archaeological evaluation in advance of tree planting within St Michael's Field (NGR: SP 027014) and the Abbey Grounds (NGR: SP 025022), Cirencester, Gloucestershire (fig 1). Both sites are located within notification areas of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, Corinium Roman Town (SAM Glos 361). 1.1.2 On May 26th 1995 an application for Scheduled Monument Consent was submitted to the Department of National Heritage by Cotswold Archaeological Trust on behalf of Cirencester Town Council. 1.1.3 On 24 October 1995, written instruction was received from the Department of National Heritage (Ref: HSD 9/2/94 pt108) advising that an archaeological evaluation should be undertaken under Class 7 of the Ancient Monuments (Class Consents) Order 1994. 1.1.4 This report presents the findings of the evaluation undertaken by Cotswold Archaeological Trust between 3rd and 8th November 1995. 1.2 Archaeological Background General 1.2.1 Both study areas lie within the Roman town of Corinium Dobunnorum, the civitas or tribal capital of the Dubonni. Within Cirencester there is further evidence of late Saxon and medieval settlement suggesting near continual occupation of the town since the 1st century AD. St Michael's Field (fig 2) 1.2.2 The archaeological remains beneath St Michael's Field represent an important resource for our understanding of Roman Cirencester from the military occupation of the 1st century AD through to the early 5th century AD. 1.2.3 St Michael's Field overlies areas of four Roman insulae (V, VI, VIII and IX) and is adjacent to the central focus of the Roman town, the Forum and Basilica. The quality of survival of the archaeological resource has been highlighted by excavations undertaken within the study area. 1.2.4 Excavations undertaken within Admirals Walk, in the north-east corner of the park, during 1974, revealed evidence of early military occupation and substantial late Roman buildings thought to be townhouses fronting the eastern side of Ermin Street. 1.2.5 An archaeological evaluation and watching brief undertaken throughout the study area in


1982-3 during development of the present leisure facilities, revealed Roman walls, stone surfacing and demolition deposits surviving at shallow depths of 0.20-0.35m below the modern ground level. 1.2.6 In 1992, excavations associated with the installation of lighting facilities for the tennis courts, revealed the presence of intact metalled surfaces, walls and associated levels indicative of a well-appointed Roman building (Barber 1992). 1.2.7 Due to the relative absence of modern development across St Michael's Field, the area formerly comprised the landscaped grounds of Watermoor House, the preservation of archaeological deposits throughout the study area is generally good. The Abbey Grounds (fig 3) 1.2.8 The archaeological potential within the Abbey Grounds is considered high due to post-Roman landscaping having buried fragile archaeological features. 1.2.9 The upstanding Roman town defences lie 150m north-west of the proposed tree planting areas. There is also evidence for two Roman courtyard houses within the Abbey grounds (Darvill and Gerrard 1994). 1.2.10 Two areas of Roman street metalling have previously been identified within the Abbey Grounds (ibid). 1.2.11 A large church, of probable late eighth century origin, incorporating robbed Roman masonry, was discovered beneath the site of St Marys Abbey during archaeological excavation in 1965 (ibid). 1.2.12 St Mary’s Abbey itself was founded in 1117 as an Augustinian House. The Abbey precinct occupied much of the north-eastern half of the town. The Abbey was dissolved in December 1539. 1.2.13 An Elizabethan house was constructed over the west claustral range and would have been very close to the main body of the Abbey and to the north range, suggesting that many of the Abbey buildings had quickly been cleared after dissolution (Evans 1991, 135). 1.2.14 This house was replaced in 1776 by another on the same site (ibid). In turn this was replaced by Abbey House which was superseded in the 1960s by the present building. 1.3 The Study Areas 1.3.1 Both study areas are currently recreational parkland within Cirencester. St Michael's Field is an area of open playing fields and parkland to the south of the urban centre of Cirencester. The Abbey Grounds are an area of public open space to the north-east of the parish church. 1.3.2 The geology of the study areas is dominated by Quaternary alluvial deposits associated


with the River Churn. These deposits are of variable character, consisting of pre-Holocene limestone gravels and later alluvial silts. 1.3.3 Topographically, the study areas lie in generally flat ground, although a slight north-east facing slope is discernible within the Abbey Grounds. St Michael's Field lies at approximately 106.70m OD and the Abbey Grounds at 110.60m OD. 1.4 Brief and Field Methodology 1.4.1 The main aims of the evaluation were: (i) to establish the extent, depth and nature of archaeological deposits within the proposed tree planting areas. (ii) to establish the character, date and nature of any archaeological deposits encountered. (iii) to establish the importance of archaeological deposits encountered and the likely impact upon these deposits posed by the desired tree planting. 1.4.2 Evaluation of the proposed tree-planting areas was fulfilled by the hand-excavation of eight 1m x 1m test-pits. 1.4.3 All test-pits were excavated to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where possible hand augering or partial excavation of deposits was undertaken to provide details of depths and dating of the deposits. 1.4.4 All artefacts recovered were catalogued and analysed in accordance with Cotswold Archaeological Trust (CAT) Finds Recording Manual. Particular attention was given to potentially datable artefacts such as pottery and coins. Animal bone was not systematically analysed as sample quantities were too small to make any significant contribution to describing the palaeoeconomy of the sites. 1.4.5 A full written, drawn and photographic record was kept of each test-pit in accordance with the Institute of Field Archaeologists’ (IFA) Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Evaluation and the CAT Field Recording Manual. 1.4.6 The finds and site archive will be deposited with the Corinium Museum, Cirencester. 2 EVALUATION RESULTS

2.1 St Michael's Field 2.1.1 Three test-pits were sited within the south-west corner of St Michael's Field, located according to the plan shown as figure 2.


2.1.2 A uniform grey-brown gritty clay-loam topsoil containing Roman and modern ceramics was encountered across the study area. Test-pit 1 2.1.3 A spread of small, angular limestone fragments (102) was revealed 0.59m below the existing ground level at 106.33m OD. Roman pottery and tile, dating to the 2nd to 4th century, was recovered from the matrix of this deposit. 2.1.4 The deposit was sealed by topsoil horizon (101). Test-pit 2 2.1.5 Within test-pit 2 rough angular limestone (203) was noted at 106.37m OD, sealed by 0.15m of topsoil. Pottery and tile dating to the 2nd to 4th century was recovered from the matrix of the deposit. Localised damage, presumed to be the result of root action was noted in the south-east corner of the test-pit. 2.1.6 Deposit (203) was sealed by topsoil horizon (201). Test-pit 3 2.1.7 Angular limestone fragments were revealed at 106.25m OD within test-pit 3. The deposit had been cut by linear feature [303], which was orientated approximately east-west. Feature [303] was fully excavated to a depth of 0.23m and contained a mid grey-brown silty clay (304) from which artefacts dating from the late 3rd to mid 4th century were recovered. 2.1.8 The archaeological deposits were sealed by 0.47m of topsoil (301). 2.2 Abbey Grounds 2.2.1 Five test-pits were excavated within the Abbey Grounds. The location of the test-pits is indicated on figure 3. 2.2.2 A uniform grey-brown clay-loam topsoil was encountered across the study area sealing a grey-brown clay-loam subsoil. Post-medieval and modern ceramics were recovered from both horizons. Test-pit 4 2.2.3 Undisturbed alluvial clay (404) was revealed 0.40 m below the existing ground surface. 2.2.4 It was sealed by deposit (403), a mid grey-green alluvial clay (403), containing three small fragments of undiagnostic tile. The deposit was 0.15m in depth and revealed at


110.13m OD. 2.2.5 The deposit was sealed by subsoil (402). Test-pit 5 2.2.6Rough limestone fragments (503) within a gritty clay matrix was revealed at 110.27m OD, some 0.29m below the current ground surface. 2.2.7 The deposit was excavated to a depth of 0.35m. Two sherds of 12-15th century Minety ware were recovered from the horizon. 2.2.8 The deposit was sealed by subsoil (502). Test-pit 6 2.2.9 Undisturbed alluvial clay (603) was revealed at 109.92m OD, sealed by a orange-brown silty clay (602). 2.2.10 Deposit (602) contained an assemblage of 12-15th century ceramics and animal bones, and was sealed by subsoil horizon (602). Test-pit 7 2.2.11 Irregular limestone fragments within a gritty clay matrix (705) were revealed at 110.23m OD, some 0.47m below the current ground level. Occasional areas of vertically pitched limestone were noted across the limestone spread. The deposit was excavated to a depth of 0.35m. No artefactual material was recovered from the horizon. The deposit was sealed by deposit (704). 2.2.12 Deposit (704) consisted of a fine orange-brown silty clay, 0.12m in depth, from which no artefactual material was recovered. The deposit was overlaid by (703). 2.2.13 Deposit (703) consisted of a orange-brown gritty clay some 0.20m in depth. Roman and medieval pottery was recovered from the deposit. 2.2.14 Deposit (703) was sealed by subsoil (702). Test-pit 8 2.2.15 Archaeological deposits were revealed 0.68m below the current ground surface at 111.79m OD. The deposit consisted of angular fragments of limestone within a gritty/mortar clay (804). A large quantity of wall plaster material was recovered from the deposit. 2.2.16 A small sondage was excavated in the south-west corner of test-pit 8. It revealed deposit (804) to be 0.32m in depth and to overlie light grey-brown gritty clay (806).


2.2.17 Deposit (806) was not fully excavated, but was at least 0.18m in depth. Two sherds of 13-15th century pottery was recovered from the deposit. 2.2.18 A thin silty clay deposit (805), containing one sherd of post-medieval pottery, sealed the archaeological horizon. This in turn was overlaid by a loose grey-brown clay-loam (803) from which modern artefacts were recovered. 3 ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS

3.1 General 3.1.1 The evaluation has established that archaeological deposits are present within the proposed tree planting areas. 3.1.2 The high potential for the discovery of Romano-British and medieval deposits, highlighted within the specification, has been validated. 3.2 St Michael's Field 3.2.1 Within St Michael's Field, the evaluation revealed the archaeological deposits to be at a consistent level of approximately 106.30m OD. 3.2.2 Fluctuations in the level of the existing ground-surface has resulted in the archaeological deposits being sealed by varying depths of modern topsoil. This varies from as little as 0.15m of topsoil within test-pit 2, to 0.59m within test-pit 1 (see Appendix A for full listing of depths and levels of archaeological deposits). 3.2.3 The archaeological deposits revealed, consisted of rough angular limestone debris, from which an assemblage of Roman tile and 4th century ceramics was recovered. 3.2.4 The uniform nature of the deposit, in terms of date, form and depth, suggests the deposit to be 4th century demolition debris, possibly associated with the destruction of building VIII.1 to the south and/or buildings flanking the inter-insulae street between Insulae.VII and VIII. 3.3 Abbey Grounds 3.3.1 Archaeological deposits revealed within test-pits 4 to 7 were encountered at a consistent level of approximately 110.27m OD (see Appendix A). 3.3.2 Archaeological deposits within test-pit 8 were revealed at the higher level of 111.79m OD. This is due to the rise in the local topography within the general vicinity of test-pit 8. 3.3.3 The limestone rubble within test-pit 7 remains undated. Roman and medieval ceramics were recovered from the alluvial wash sealing the deposit. The occasional surviving areas of


pitched stonework within the deposit are more indicative of deliberate construction rather than a random spread of demolition debris. The location of test-pit 7 was close to the known alignment of a Roman street, and it is likely that the limestone fragments represent the metalled surfacing of that street. Comparable limestone metalling has previously been recorded as the final phase of street surfacing overlying multiple gravel surfacing within Cirencester (Gerrard, Johnson and Walker 1989) 3.3.4 Although no buildings associated with the medieval abbey precinct, or from the Roman period, have previously been revealed within the vicinity of the test-pits 5 and 8, the angular limestone fragments suggests the deposits represent demolition debris. 3.3.5 One sherd of 12-15th century Minety ware, recovered from the matrix of debris (503) would indicate that the limestone rubble revealed within test-pit 5 to be of probable medieval origin. Alternatively, it may represent medieval robbing of Roman deposits. 3.3.6 A large quantity of wall plaster was recovered from the limestone rubble (804) identified within test-pit 8. One sherd of medieval pottery was recovered from the underlying clay (806). The rubble is likely to represent demolition debris associated with the Abbey or its ancillary buildings. 3.3.7 Alluvial deposits were noted within test-pits 4, 6 and 7. Artefactual evidence recovered from within the deposits suggest the alluvium is of medieval origin. 3.3.8 It is suggested that the alluvial deposit within test-pit 5 may originate from the Gunstool Brook which was previously an open stream running through the Abbey precinct, (it has subsequently been culverted beneath the landscaped Abbey Grounds). 3.3.9 The alluvial deposits within test-pits 4 and 7 are likely to represent flooding from the the River Churn and possibly from the Abbey fishpond, now the park lake, which was fed by a diverted branch of the River Churn. This interpretation would suggest that the initial alluvial deposit (704) is of Roman origin. Evidence from throughout Cirencester suggests there was a significant rise in the local water table from the late 2nd century (CAT forthcoming) The subsequent alluvial deposits (703) contained medieval ceramics, and are therefore likely to have resulted from the flooding of the nearby Abbey fishpond. This further suggests that the fishpond was no longer being managed, and is therefore likey to have occurred after the Abbey was dissolved in 1539. 4 CONCLUSIONS AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT

4.1 The evaluation has established that archaeological deposits are present within the proposed tree planting areas. 4.2 However, due to the limitations imposed by the size and disposition of the test-pits, detailed interpretation of the archaeological deposits encountered in either study area was not possible. 4.3 Within St Michael's field, 4th century demolition debris was encountered in all test-pits


at depths varying from 0.15 to 0.59m below the existing ground surface. 4.4 Within the Abbey Grounds, Roman street metalling and late medieval demolition debris, probably associated with the dissolution of the Abbey in 1539, was encountered. The archaeological deposits were sealed by approximately 0.35m below the modern ground surface. 4.5 Roman and late medieval alluvial deposits were also encountered across the Abbey grounds. 4.6 The proposed tree planting schemes will impinge upon the archaeological resource. The top of the deposits encountered are at an average depth of 0.35m below the existing ground surface.and although with the exception of the Roman street within test-pit 7 are of little intrinsic value, it should be emphasised that they are likely to mask deposits of high archaeological potential. The potential survival of building structures associated with the demolition debris should not be overlooked. 4.7 It is therefore recommended that any groundworks likely to penetrate beneath the deposits indicated above (cf 4.3 to 4.5 ) should be hand excavated as part of an appropriate archaeological mitigation strategy. Careful consideration should also be given to the long-term effects of the root activity of the species of trees proposed for planting. 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barber, A 1992 St Michael's Field, Cirencester, Glos. Archaeological Evaluation. CAT

Typescript Report 9298

CAT 1995 Specification for an Archaeological Evaluation: Corinium Roman Town,

Cirencester, Gloucestershire. St Michael's Field and Abbey Grounds Sites.

CAT. Forthcoming Former TRW Site, Hammond Way, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

Archaeological Watching Brief and Post Excavation Assessment. CAT Typescript

Report 95312

Darvill, T & Gerrard, C 1994 Cirencester: Town and Landscape

Evans, A.K.B 1993 Cirencester Abbey: From Heyday to Dissolution TBGAS Vol CXI

Gerrard, C.M., Johnson, C & Walker, G.T 1989 Corinium Development, Cirencester. Stage

2 Archaeological Evaluation. CAT Typescript Report 8902


APPENDIX A

Table showing depth of the archaeological deposits from the present ground level. All heights

TEST PIT

PRESENT GROUND

LEVEL

TOP OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL

DEPOSIT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPOSIT

DEPTH OF DEPOSIT

1 106.923 106.334 Roman demolition debris 0.18m +



4 110.348 109.994 Medieval alluvium 0.16m

5 110.601 110.268 Medieval demolition debris

0.36m +

6 110.532 110.359 Medieval alluvium 0.45m

7 110.699 110.228 Roman street 0.18m +

8 112.690 111.790 medieval demolition debris

0.32m +



Documents

St Michaels Field and the Abbey Grounds, Archaeological ... · St Michael's Field (fig 2) 1.2.2 The archaeological remains beneath St Michael's Field represent an important resource